Has your doctor told you that you have Hepatitis C? Has he prescribed you this medicine called Vosevi as a treatment for it? If so, this article will be very important for you. Since this is a rather complicated medicine, I am going to explain it to you in Sinhala, as if you were talking to a friend. Let's talk simply about this medicine, how to use it, and the things to be careful about.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this is an antiviral drug. That is, a drug that controls and eliminates the amount of virus in the body. It is specifically designed to treat a viral infection called Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a virus that damages the liver. This drug stops the virus from multiplying (growing) in the body.
This medicine has three main active ingredients: Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir. All three work together to fight the virus.
The most important thing is that this medicine is not suitable for common viral diseases like colds and flu. It is only used for hepatitis C.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Because this is a very powerful medicine, it is extremely important to give your doctor a complete account of your health before starting treatment. If you have any of these conditions, be sure to tell them.
- If you have diabetes .
- If you have HIV or AIDS .
- If you have had or currently have any liver disease other than hepatitis C, including hepatitis B (HBV) .
- If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon .
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding .
- If you have an allergic reaction to Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, Voxilaprevir, or any other medicine, food, or dye contained in this medicine.
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medicine is suitable for you or not.
How should I use the medicine?
Taking the medicine exactly as the doctor prescribes is very important for the success of the treatment.
- This is an oral tablet. Take it with a glass of water.
- It is essential to take this medicine with a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day as much as possible. This will help keep the medicine working at the same level in your body.
- Even if you feel better, continue to take the full course of medication prescribed by your doctor . Do not stop taking it halfway. Doing so may cause the virus to recur.
- If you suddenly think you have taken too much medicine , do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is very close to the time for your next dose (for example, it is only a few hours away), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
This is a very important part. Some other medications you are taking may affect the way this medicine works. Also, this medicine may change the way other medications work. Therefore, inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, bought from the pharmacy), vitamins, and even herbal products .
| Type of medicine | Things to consider |
|---|---|
| Do not take this medicine with any other medicine. | |
| Rifampin (a medicine for tuberculosis) | This can completely stop Vosevi from working. |
| Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking this medication. | |
| Some medications for heart disease | Ex: Amiodarone, Digoxin, Dabigatran, Warfarin |
| Cholesterol-lowering drugs (Statins) | Ex: Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin |
| Medicines for gastritis (Antacids) | For example: Omeprazole, Famotidine, Cimetidine and liquid medicines. (These may need to be taken at different times.) |
| Medicines for seizures/ convulsions | Ex: Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin |
| Some medications for HIV/AIDS | Ex: Efavirenz, Tenofovir |
| St. John's Wort (herbal product) | This may reduce the effectiveness of Vosevi. |
| Other medications | Many other medications such as Cyclosporine, Rifabutin, Methotrexate, Topotecan. |
Things to be especially careful about while taking the medicine
- Follow-up appointments: Be sure to keep your doctor's appointments. During treatment, you may need to have blood tests to check your liver function and viral load.
- Hepatitis B (HBV) reactivation: This is very important. If you have ever had hepatitis B (HBV) infection before, the inactive HBV virus may become active again while you are taking this medicine. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor if you have had HBV before. If this happens, your doctor will monitor you closely.
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes, this medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Therefore, check your blood sugar levels regularly. If necessary, talk to your doctor about whether you need to make changes to your diet or diabetes medication.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have some side effects. Not everyone gets them, but it's important to be aware of them.
| Side Effect | What to do |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergy symptoms: skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, difficulty breathing. | Call your doctor immediately or go to the ETU at the nearest hospital. |
| Symptoms of liver damage: dark yellow/brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, pale stools, loss of appetite, vomiting, and feeling lethargic. | |
| Severe headache, dizziness, depressed mood. | |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but can be bothersome | |
| Headache | If these persist or bother you, let your doctor know. |
| Tiredness | |
| Nausea | |
| Diarrhea | |
Take-Home Message
- This medicine (Vosevi) is only used to treat hepatitis C virus infection.
- Always take the medicine with a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Take the medicine for the full duration prescribed by the doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you feel better.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
- If you notice signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of the eyes, dark urine, or feeling lethargic, inform your doctor immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, it's best to ask the doctor who is treating you about it rather than searching the internet.
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