Has your doctor prescribed Zepatier as a treatment for Hepatitis C ? So, today we will talk in a very simple and friendly way about what this medicine is, what it actually does to our bodies, and what we need to be careful about while using it. This information will definitely be of great help in making your treatment journey a success.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this is a medicine that fights the Hepatitis C virus in your body. This medicine contains two active ingredients called Elbasvir and Grazoprevir . Together, these two work to limit the spread and multiplication of the Hepatitis C virus (i.e., the transmission of the virus) in your body. When the virus is no longer able to spread, the amount of virus in your body gradually decreases.
But one thing to remember: This medicine only treats infections caused by the hepatitis C virus. It will not work on common colds , flu, or other bacterial infections .
The two main names of this medicine are Elbasvir and Grazoprevir. But it is most famous in the market under the brand name ZEPATIER . So, whichever name the doctor tells you, it is about this medicine.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
This is a very important point. Before you start taking this medicine, it is essential that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition. Because you need to be very careful when using this medicine with certain medical conditions. So if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Your health condition | Why is it important to inform about it? |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | This medication can sometimes affect blood sugar levels, so it is important to inform your doctor if you have diabetes. |
| If you have previously taken other medications for hepatitis C | Your treatment history will determine how successful this treatment will be for you. |
| If you have had a previous hepatitis B infection | When taking this medication, there is a chance that previously cured hepatitis B virus may reactivate. Therefore, it is important to be aware of this in advance. |
| If you have HIV or AIDS | HIV medications can interact with this medicine, so you should tell your doctor about it. |
| If you have had or are planning to have a liver transplant | The effects of this medicine may change during liver surgery. |
| If you have other liver diseases | If you have poor liver function, you may need to change the way you use this medicine. |
| If you have allergies to this medicine or other medicines, foods, or dyes | It is very important for your safety to inform your doctor about any allergies. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | There is still not enough information about the safety of this medication during pregnancy, so it is important to talk to your doctor about this. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | Talk to your doctor to make sure the medicine passes to your baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
To get the most out of this medicine, it is very important to use it as directed.
- You should take this pill with a glass of water .
- You can take this with or without food . However, if you sometimes feel an upset stomach, it is better to take the medicine with some food.
- The most important thing is to take your medicine every day, exactly as your doctor prescribed, at the right time. Don't skip a day. Keep taking it until the treatment is finished. Don't stop taking it yourself unless your doctor tells you to.
- If you are giving this medicine to children , you should discuss it with your doctor. Although it is prescribed for children in some special cases, there are precautions that apply.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken more than the prescribed dose, don't panic. But don't take it lightly either. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
Sometimes we forget to take our medicine. If that happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once just to make up for a missed dose.
Other medicines that should not be used with this medicine, and which you should be careful with
Medicines are like puzzle pieces, some of which don't fit together. That means one medicine can affect the way another works. We call this drug interaction. So when you take this medicine, it's very important to tell your doctor about all the other medicines you're taking, not just the ones prescribed by your doctor, but also the vitamins and herbal products you buy from the pharmacy.
You can get a better understanding of this from the table below.
| Never take Zepatier with these medications! (DO NOT take with these) | |
|---|---|
| Some medications for HIV/AIDS | Eg: atazanavir, darunavir, efavirenz, lopinavir, saquinavir, tipranavir |
| Some medications for seizures | Ex: carbamazepine, phenytoin |
| Immune-suppressing drugs | Cyclosporine |
| A medicine for tuberculosis | Rifampin |
| Herbal product | St. John's wort |
| Other | Enasidenib, Trofinetide |
| If you are taking Zepatier with these medications, be sure to ask your doctor. | |
| Some cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) | Eg: atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin |
| Some medications for diabetes | Tell your doctor about the diabetes medication you are taking. |
| Anticoagulant | Warfarin |
| Other | Bosentan, Ketoconazole, Modafinil, Nafcillin, Tacrolimus |
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take, if you smoke , or if you drink alcohol.
Things to be careful about when taking medication
It is important to stay in constant contact with your doctor throughout your treatment.
- Go to Clinic Appointments: Be sure to go to the appointments your doctor tells you to come back on. That way, you can see the progress of your recovery.
- Blood Tests : While taking this medication, you will need to have some important blood tests to check your liver function and viral load. Don't skip them.
- Blood sugar levels: As we mentioned earlier, this medication can sometimes cause your blood sugar levels to rise slightly. This is especially important if you have diabetes. Talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk of high blood sugar levels.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this medicine can cause side effects in some people. Not everyone gets all of these side effects, but it is important to be aware of them for your safety.
| If you experience these symptoms, seek medical help immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of Liver Injury | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes and skin, and feeling unusually tired. |
| Common, Less Serious Side Effects: Symptoms that are usually nothing to worry about, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach ache | Diarrhea |
| Tiredness | Feeling of fatigue (Fatigue) |
| Headache | Headache |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting (Nausea) |
| Insomnia | Trouble sleeping at night |
How do you store your medicine properly?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius) . Protect from extreme heat and extreme cold.
- It is best to keep the medicine in its original packaging until it is time to take it.
- Protect from moisture. So, don't store medication in places with high humidity, like the bathroom.
- Never use expired medicine .
How do you get rid of unused medicine?
It is not appropriate to simply throw expired or unwanted medications in the trash or flush them down the toilet. They can harm the environment.
1. If possible, hand these in to a medication take-back program. You can ask your pharmacy for details.
2. If that's not possible, check the medicine label to see if it's okay to throw it in the trash. If you're not sure, ask your doctor.
3. If it is safe to throw in the trash, take the pills out of the package. Mix them well with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter. Then put the mixture in a sealable bag or container and throw it in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time, as your doctor tells you, and don't miss a single day.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking. This is very important.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of liver damage, such as yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, or stomach pain.
- Attend clinics on scheduled dates and have all scheduled blood tests done.
- This medicine is for you only. Never give it to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
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