Has your doctor told you that you have Hepatitis C? You may have been prescribed a combination of three medications to treat it. The names of these medications are a bit long - Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, and Ritonavir. It's normal to feel a little scared when you hear these names. But don't worry, we're here to answer your questions about this medication in simple, clear terms.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, this is a combination of three drugs. Its main function is to control the hepatitis C virus in your body and treat the condition. It is available under the brand name ``Technivie``.
Most importantly, this medicine has no effect on common viral illnesses like colds and flu. This is a medicine specifically designed for Hepatitis C.
Things to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before starting this medication, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Because that information will determine whether this medication is suitable for you or not. Be sure to mention the following in particular:
- If you have diabetes.
- If you have HIV or AIDS.
- If you have liver diseases other than hepatitis C.
- If you have allergies to these medications (Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, Ritonavir) or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant, or are hoping to become pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
How to use the medicine correctly?
To get the most out of the medicine, you need to use it as directed.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- Be sure to take this medicine with a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day.
- Take the full dose of medicine prescribed by your doctor for the full duration. Do not stop taking the medicine half way through, thinking that your symptoms have subsided. Doing so may cause the virus to become active again in your body.
- When you are given this medicine, you will receive a special information leaflet (MedGuide) about it. Always read it carefully.
- If this medicine is given to children, you should definitely seek advice from a pediatrician .
If you suspect that you have taken too much medicine, contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Imagine you forgot to take a pill. Take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Skip it altogether and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
This is the most important part to know about this medicine. Taking this medicine with some other medicines can cause serious problems. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.
| Do not take this medicine with any other medicine! (DO NOT TAKE WITH) | |
|---|---|
| alfuzosin | lomitapide |
| apalutamide | lovastatin |
| atorvastatin | lumacaftor; ivacaftor |
| carbamazepine | lurasidone |
| Cisapride | midazolam (taken by mouth) |
| colchicine | naloxegol |
| dronedarone | phenytoin, phenobarbital |
| efavirenz | pimozide |
| Ergot alkaloids (such as ergotamine) | ranolazine |
| everolimus | rifampin |
| Female hormones (birth control pills, patches) | sildenafil (for Pulmonary Hypertension) |
| simvastatin | St. John's wort |
| sirolimus | tacrolimus, triazolam |
| These medications may also interact with: | |
|---|---|
| Antiretroviral drugs for HIV or AIDS | Medications that control heart rate (such as amiodarone, digoxin) |
| Some medications used for diabetes (such as metformin) | Painkillers (acetaminophen; hydrocodone) |
| Blood pressure medications (such as amlodipine, losartan) | Tranquilizers (alprazolam, diazepam) |
| Cholesterol-lowering drugs (rosuvastatin, pravastatin) | Blood thinners (warfarin) |
| fluticasone, salmeterol (inhaled) | furosemide, cyclosporine, omeprazole, quetiapine |
This list is not complete. It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements . Be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Medical tests: Go to the clinics at the scheduled times as your doctor tells you. During this time, you may need to have blood tests to check your liver function.
- Hepatitis B (HBV) risk: If you have ever had hepatitis B before, there is a small chance that the disease will become active again because of this medicine. Therefore, your doctor will do blood tests and monitor you closely. Tell him right away if you have symptoms such as feeling weak, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or loss of appetite.
- Blood sugar: If you are diabetic, this medicine may slightly increase your blood sugar levels. So check your blood sugar levels regularly. If necessary, talk to your doctor about changing your diabetes medication or diet.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Type of side effect | Expected features |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Symptoms of Liver Injury | Dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, nausea, loss of appetite, and feeling lethargic. |
| Symptoms of high blood sugar | Increased thirst, hunger, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Usually not serious, but tell your doctor if it persists. | |
| Common side effects | Dizziness (vertigo), headache, skin rash, nausea and vomiting, insomnia. |
How to keep medicine safe?
- Keep it out of the reach of children .
- Store at room temperature, below 30 degrees Celsius (30°C / 86°F).
- Throw away any medicine that has passed its expiration date.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is only used to treat hepatitis C.
- Always take the medicine with a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Take the medicine for the full period prescribed by your doctor, without skipping a single dose. Do not stop taking the medicine even if your symptoms improve.
- It is imperative to inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines you are taking.
- If you notice signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of the eyes, dark urine, or stomach pain, see a doctor immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else.
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