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Introduction About SOFOKEM L TABLET
SOFOKEM L TABLET is a combination of Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir which belongs to the group of medicines called Antiviral agents. It is used to manage chronic (long-term) Hepatitis C infection.
Hepatitis C infection is a viral infection caused due to hepatitis C virus. It predominantly affects the liver and causes severe liver damage. It spreads mostly through contact with blood from an infected person (such as through sharing needles).
Before taking SOFOKEM L TABLET inform your doctor if you have diabetes, kidney problems or any other liver problems apart from hepatitis C infection (such as liver transplant or hepatitis B infection). Do not take SOFOKEM L TABLET without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
During management with SOFOKEM L TABLET, your doctor will regularly monitor your blood sugar levels and blood count to access improvement in your health condition and to avoid the risk of unwanted side effects.
The most common side effects of taking SOFOKEM L TABLET are headache, tiredness and skin rashes. Consult your doctor if they trouble you.
Uses Of SOFOKEM L TABLET
- Manage chronic Hepatitis C infection
How SOFOKEM L TABLET Works
SOFOKEM L TABLET is an antiviral agent. It acts by blocking the actions of certain viral proteins that is required for the viral cell to grow and multiply. As a result, it controls the multiplication of harmful viral cells within the body which reduces the severity of the infection.
How to use SOFOKEM L TABLET
Take SOFOKEM L TABLET as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. SOFOKEM L TABLET can be taken with or without meals.
Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and severity of the infection. Do not stop taking SOFOKEM L TABLET without consulting your doctor as it may reduce its effectiveness.
Side Effects Of SOFOKEM L TABLET
Common
- headache
- tiredness
- skin rash
Rare
Stop taking SOFOKEM L TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- signs of allergic reactions (such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, nose, throat which causes difficulty in breathing or swallowing)
- severe skin reactions causing widespread skin rashes with severe itching, blistering and peeling of skin, accompanied with fever, flu-like symptoms and ulcers in the mouth, eyes and/or genitals)
How To Manage Side Effects
Headache:
Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.
Warning & Precautions
Pregnancy
There is no proper information regrading the use of SOFOKEM L TABLET during pregnancy. Therefore, if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine. Pregnancy should be avoided if this medicine is combined with another antiviral agent known as ribavirin.
Breastfeeding
SOFOKEM L TABLET may pass through breast milk. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor for advice.
Driving and Using Machines
Do not drive or handle any machines if your ability is affected by SOFOKEM L TABLET.
Kidney
SOFOKEM L TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems (such as dialysis). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Liver
SOFOKEM L TABLET should be used with caution in patients with other liver problems apart from hepatitis C infection such as awaiting a liver transplant or hepatitis B infection. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Allergy
Do not take SOFOKEM L TABLET if you are allergic to Ledipasvir or Sofosbuvir.
Heart Disease
SOFOKEM L TABLET should be used with caution if you have heart problems. Consult your doctor for advice.
Others
Before taking SOFOKEM L TABLET, inform your doctor if you:
- are taking medicines for any on-going viral infections
- have diabetes
Use in Paediatrics:
SOFOKEM L TABLET is not recommended for use in children aged below 3 years. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Use in Geriatrics:
SOFOKEM L TABLET should be used with caution in elderly people. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before taking SOFOKEM L TABLET inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:
- rifampicin, rifabutin, rifapentine (used to manage tuberculosis)
- St. John’s wort (a medicine used to manage depression)
- medicines used to manage epilepsy (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, oxcarbazepine)
- rosuvastatin (a medicine used to manage high blood cholesterol levels)
- amiodarone, digoxin (used to manage irregular heart rate)
- warfarin, dabigatran, vitamin k antagonists (used for blood thinning)
- medicines used to suppress your immune system (such as tacrolimus, cyclosporine)
- tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, tipranavir (used to manage HIV infection)
- medicines used to manage stomach ulcers or heartburn (such as aluminium hydroxide, omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, famotidine, cimetidine, nizatidine or ranitidine)
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took more SOFOKEM L TABLET, consult your doctor immediately.
Synopsis
| Drug | : | Ledipasvir, Sofosbuvir |
| Pharmacological Category | : | HCV NS5A inhibitors, Nucleotide polymerase inhibitors |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Hepatitis C infection |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet |
More Information
- Keep SOFOKEM L TABLET out of reach of children
- Store SOFOKEM L TABLET at room temperature
FAQs About SOFOKEM L TABLET
Q: What is SOFOKEM L TABLET?
A: SOFOKEM L TABLET is an antiviral medicine used to manage Hepatitis C infection.
Q: Is SOFOKEM L TABLET safe?
A: SOFOKEM L TABLET is safe at doses prescribed by the physician.
Q: How does SOFOKEM L TABLET work in our body?
A: SOFOKEM L TABLET is an antiviral agent. It acts by blocking the actions of certain viral proteins that is required for the viral cell to grow and multiply. As a result, it controls the multiplication of harmful viral cells within the body which reduces the severity of the infection.
Q: Can I stop taking SOFOKEM L TABLET if I feel unwell?
A: No. Do not stop taking SOFOKEM L TABLET without consulting your doctor. Take SOFOKEM L TABLET regularly, because if you miss a dose of SOFOKEM L TABLET or take it at irregular intervals, you may experience some unpleasant reactions. If you wish to discontinue SOFOKEM L TABLET due to unpleasant symptoms, consult your doctor for advice.
Q: What to do if I forget to take a dose of SOFOKEM L TABLET?
A: If you miss a dose of SOFOKEM L TABLET take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one at regular time. Do not take a double dose of SOFOKEM L TABLET to compensate the missed dose.
Q: Can SOFOKEM L TABLET manage Hepatitis C completely?
A: Yes. SOFOKEM L TABLET acts by reducing the number of viral cells within the body. Eventually, it can eliminate the virus from the body and can manage hepatitis C completely.
Q: What are the precautions to be followed while taking SOFOKEM L TABLET?
A: Before taking SOFOKEM L TABLET inform your doctor if you have diabetes, kidney problems or any other liver problems apart from hepatitis C infection (such as liver transplant or hepatitis B infection). Do not take SOFOKEM L TABLET without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Regularly visit your doctor and take all the blood tests recommended for you. Do not stop taking SOFOKEM L TABLET without consulting your doctor.
Q: Can SOFOKEM L TABLET be used in children?
A: SOFOKEM L TABLET is not recommended for use in children aged below 3 years. Children aged above 3 years must consult their doctor before taking this medicine. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice.
Q: How to take SOFOKEM L TABLET?
A: Take SOFOKEM L TABLET as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. SOFOKEM L TABLET can be taken with or without meals. Continue to take SOFOKEM L TABLET regularly as advised by your physician for maximum benefits.
References
1. Harsh Mohan. Viral Hepatitis. The Liver, Biliary Tract and 592 Exocrine Pancreas. Textbook of Pathology. 6th Edition. Page – 605.
2. Norah A. Terrault, Stefan Zeuzem, Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, Joseph K. Lim, Paul J. Pockros, Lynn M. Frazier, Alexander Kuo, Anna S. Lok, Mitchell L. Shiffman, Ziv Ben Ari, Lucy Akushevich, Monika Vainorius, Mark S. Sulkowski, Michael W. Fried, and David R. Nelson, for the HCV-TARGET Study Group. Effectiveness of Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir Combination in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Factors Associated with Sustained Virologic Response. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed Central. August 2016. [Accessed on 4th January 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5300778/
3. Gilead Sciences Ireland UC. Harvoni 90 mg/400 mg film-coated tablets ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) [Revised in September 2021] [Accessed on 4th January 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3461.pdf
Useful Diagnostic Tests
- Complete Blood Count
- Bilirubin Total
- Hepatitis B s (Surface) Antigen
- Hepatitis C Virus Total Antibody
- Liver Function Test
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