Sotosbuvir 400mg Tablets, Packaging Type : Bottles, Allopathic

Sofosbuvir is an antiviral medication used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It is a direct-acting antiviral agent and is a key component of modern, highly effective combination therapies for hepatitis C. It is available in 400 mg tablets, most commonly sold under the brand name Sovaldi. It is also a component of several combination products, such as Harvoni (sofosbuvir/ledipasvir) and Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir).

Sofosbuvir is never used alone; it is always prescribed as part of a combination regimen with other antiviral drugs, such as ribavirin, pegylated interferon, ledipasvir, or velpatasvir. The specific combination and duration of treatment depend on the patient's HCV genotype (the specific strain of the virus), their liver condition (e.g., presence of cirrhosis), and their previous treatment history.

It is used to treat chronic HCV infection in adults and children as young as 3 years of age. It is effective against multiple HCV genotypes and has significantly improved cure rates and shortened treatment duration compared to older therapies that included interferon.

Sofosbuvir is a nucleotide analog prodrug. Once it is ingested, it is metabolized by the body into its active form, which then acts as a defective building block for the hepatitis C virus's RNA. Specifically, it inhibits a viral enzyme called NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This enzyme is essential for the virus to replicate its genetic material. By blocking this process, sofosbuvir effectively stops the virus from multiplying, leading to a significant reduction in the viral load and, in many cases, a complete cure.

Sofosbuvir 400 mg tablets are taken orally, typically once a day, with or without food. It is crucial to take the medication exactly as prescribed and to complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms improve. Missing doses can lead to the virus developing resistance to the drug, making the treatment less effective.

Sofosbuvir is generally well-tolerated and has fewer and less severe side effects compared to older interferon-based therapies. However, common side effects may include:

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Insomnia

• Irritability

• Diarrhea