INTRODUCTION
HEPCINAT 400MG contains Sofosbuvir which belongs to a group of medicines called antiviral medicines. It is used to treat hepatitis C virus infection which works by lowering the amount of hepatitis C virus in your body and removing the virus from your blood over a period of time. Hepatitis C is a virus that mainly infects the liver.
Sofosbuvir is a nucleotide analog inhibitor of HCV NS5B polymerase which is essential for viral replication. It is a prodrug which undergoes intracellular metabolism to form the pharmacologically active uridine analog triphosphate (GS-461203), which can be incorporated into HCV RNA by the NS5B polymerase and acts as a chain terminator. This medicine works by reducing the amount of hepatitis C virus in body, which may helps the liver to recover. HEPCINAT 400MG is taken with other medicines such as ribavirin and peginterferon alfa to treat hepatitis C.
Always take HEPCINAT 400MG exactly as directed by your doctor. Tell your physician if you have liver, kidney or heart problems, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. It is not recommended for use in children below 3 years of age. The common side effects are diarrhoea, headache, nausea, dizziness, insomnia and tiredness.
USES OF HEPCINAT 400MG
- Treats chronic hepatitis C (CHC)
HOW HEPCINAT 400MG WORKS
HEPCINAT 400MG works by lowering the amount of hepatitis C virus in body and removes the virus from blood over a period of time.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Always take HEPCINAT 400MG exactly as your doctor has told you. Swallow whole with plenty of water, and do not crush or chew. It can be taken with or without food.
SIDE EFFECTS OF HEPCINAT 400MG
SERIOUS
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- shortness of breath
COMMON
- fever, chills, flu-like symptoms
- diarrhoea, feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting)
- trouble sleeping
- tiredness and irritable
- headache
- rash and itchy skin
- loss of appetite, decreased appetite
- dizziness
- muscle aches and pains
- cough
- decrease in red, white blood cells and platelet count
- changes in liver
- mood changes, depression, feeling anxious and agitated
- blurred vision
- memory loss, loss of concentration
- weight loss
- gastrointestinal problems
- hair loss and thinning hair
- dry skin
- chest pain, feeling weak
- cold (nasopharyngitis)
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea:
Stick to regular meals and do not eat spicy foods.
Stomach pain:
Place a warm water bottle on your abdomen. Soak in a warm bath. Drink plenty of clear fluids and water.
Dizziness:
Get up and move around to feel awake and take small naps to edge off the sleepiness.
Diarrhoea:
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. ORS should be used to prevent dehydration.
Vomiting:
Drink clear or ice-cold drinks, take light, bland foods and avoid fried, greasy, sweet foods.
Headache:
Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Apply a cold or wet cloth and rest in a quiet, comfortable, dark room.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
HEPCINAT 400MG is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
BREASTFEEDING
HEPCINAT 400MG is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or handle any machines while taking this medicine as it may cause tiredness, dizziness, blurred vision or reduced attention.
KIDNEY
HEPCINAT 400MG should be used with caution in patients suffering from active kidney diseases or on kidney dialysis. Consult your doctor for advice.
LIVER
HEPCINAT 400MG should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver function impairment or active liver diseases or having a liver transplantation. Consult your doctor for advice.
ALLERGY
Do not take if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Sofosbuvir.
OTHERS
Inform your doctor if you have or had,
- infection with the hepatitis B virus
- diabetes
INTERACTIONS
Tell your doctor if you are taking,
- rifampicin, rifapentine (used to treat infections)
- St. John’s wort (used to treat depression)
- carbamazepine, phenobarbital, oxcarbazepine and phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy)
- amiodarone (treat irregular heartbeats)
- warfarin, vitamin K antagonists (used to thin the blood)
- medicines used to suppress your immune system
- modafinil (treats people with narcolepsy to help them stay awake)
SYNOPSIS
| Drug | : | Sofosbuvir |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Anti-hepaciviral, Polymerase Inhibitor (Anti-HCV), NS5B RNA Polymerase Inhibitor |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Chronic hepatitis C |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet |
MORE INFORMATION
Store below 20-25°C and keep out of reach of children.
FAQs ABOUT HEPCINAT 400MG
How does HEPCINAT 400MG work?
This medicine stops viral replication and thus decreases the amount of Hepatitis C virus in the body thereby resulting in less liver damage and improved liver function.
Is HEPCINAT 400MG a protease inhibitor?
No. It is a nucleotide polymerase inhibitor.
HEPCINAT 400MG cure Hepatitis C?
It is indicated to treat Hepatitis C virus infection.
REFERENCES
1. Evangelos Cholongitasa and George V. Papatheodoridis. Sofosbuvir: a novel oral agent for chronic hepatitis C. 2014, [Accessed on May 07, 2021] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4188929/
2. Gilead Sciences, 2013, U.S. Food & Drug Administration [Revised on Aug 2015] [Accessed on May 07, 2021] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/204671s002lbl.pdf
3. Gilead Sciences Ireland UC. Jan 16, 2014. [Revised on Sep 17, 2018] [Accessed on May 07, 2021] https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/sovaldi-epar-product-information_en.pdf
4. Cipla, [Revised on Nov, 2016] [Accessed on May 07, 2021] https://www.ciplamed.com/sites/default/files/overview/Hepcvir%20%28Sofosbuvir%29%20%20Tablets.pdf
USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
- Bilirubin Total
- Hepatitis B s (Surface) Antigen
- Hepatitis C Virus Total Antibody
- Liver Function Test
PRODUCT DETAILS
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