To date, almost three hundred million people are infected with the hepatitis C virus in the world. However, a vaccine for this dangerous disease has not yet been developed.
Features of the disease
The terrible virus infects the cells of an important organ for human life - the liver. After that, hepatitis C creates a copy of itself that goes beyond the affected cell to spread the disease.
To date, several methods of infection with viral hepatitis have been identified:
- with blood transfusion;
- when applying tattoos, acupuncture and other procedures, if non-sterile needles are used;
- when using one needle by drug addicts;
- sexually;
- from mother to baby during pregnancy.
Treatment features
Many doctors compare hepatitis C with HIV. It is currently impossible to recover from this deadly disease. Nevertheless, there are certain types of drugs that are designed to prevent the spread of the virus.
In this treatment, two drugs are usually used: Interferon Alfa and Ribavirin. The first prevents the spread of the virus to healthy cells, the second is aimed at counteracting its reproduction. However, such a treatment regimen has a huge number of side effects and low effectiveness.
Therefore, scientists continue to develop new drugs that help fight hepatitis C. One of the latest advances in innovative medicine is the drug Sofosbuvir. Instructions for use contain all the necessary information about him.
Description of the drug
The drug is available in the form of round tablets, the surface of which is coated, soluble exclusively in gastric juice. This information is contained in the instructions attached to the drug Sofosbuvir. The composition of the drug includes a unique substance that has the same name as the drug, as well as excipients.
The required dosage of the drug is 400 mg and is included in one tablet. The package contains 28 pills, which is enough for a course of treatment for a month.
Effects on the body
The effect on the body is described in the instructions for use of the drug Sofosbuvir. The mechanism of action, in simple words, is that the main substance of the drug is a modern inhibitor of the hepatitis C enzyme. It has a complex effect on the body infected with the virus. Clinical trials have shown that even in a body severely weakened by a disease, steady positive dynamics are observed under the influence of a drug. This is true for hepatitis 1-4 genotype.
However, with simultaneous infection with hepatitis C and HIV infection, many doctors do not consider the use of this drug appropriate. The fact is that in this case its effectiveness has not been proved. It is important to understand that, despite the detailed instructions contained in the instructions for use for the Sofosbuvir preparation, the manufacturer warns against self-medication. Intensive therapy against the chronic form of hepatitis C virus can be prescribed exclusively by an experienced doctor. The course of treatment is carried out under the supervision of professionals.
Medication
Most doctors believe that Sofosbuvir should be taken exclusively in combination with other medicines. For this, the following schemes are traditionally used, which depend on the genotype of the disease:
- With genotypes of type 3-6, Sofosbuvir is prescribed with Ribavirin and Interferon Alfa. The course of therapy should exceed 3 months.
- In case of infection with hepatitis 1, as well as the impossibility of using a medication such as Interferon Alfa (if there are contraindications or individual intolerance). In this case, the course is extended twice.
- With genotype 2, the combination scheme of the Sofosbuvir drug with the Ribavirin drug is used for 3 months.
- If the patient expects a liver transplant, it is recommended to use the Ribavirin and Sofosbuvir medicines at the same time. Instructions for use recommends prolonging treatment until transplantation.
In case there are side effects associated with taking one of the drugs of combination therapy, therapy should be discontinued. Data on the effectiveness of treatment in people who have not reached the age of majority are not available in world practice.
The drug "Sofosbuvir" is taken 1 time per day at the dose prescribed by the doctor. There are rules that must be observed when doing this:
- Do not chew or share the tablets, as they have a very bitter taste. Taking medication with meals.
- In case of vomiting within two hours after taking the medication, you should drink an additional dose of the drug.
- If you skip taking the medicine, if the delay is less than 18 hours, take the missed tablet. If more time has passed, take the next dose at the prescribed time.
special instructions
All sorts of additional information that is important to know when taking the medication contains instructions attached to the drug Sofosbuvir. Indications for the use of this medication as part of complex therapy largely determine side effects.
When treating with a drug, the following should be known:
- concentration of attention and reaction speed are reduced, so you should refuse to drive a car and some activities;
- pregnancy is undesirable, therefore reliable methods of contraception should be provided.
Side effects
To date, not all side effects have been identified the drug "Sofosbuvir". Instructions for use contain information that they depend on the combination of the drug with other medicines.
In the case of combining the drug with the Ribavirin medicine, the following are observed:
- in more than 10% of cases - a decrease in hemoglobin level and an increase in bilirubin in the blood, nausea, fatigue, sleep disturbances, headache, nervousness;
- in 1% of cases - inflammation of the nasal mucosa and pharynx, a decrease in the level of iron in the blood, depression, cough, disorder of concentration of attention, problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, hair loss, itching, cramps, fever.
With the additional introduction of the drug "Interferon Alfa" in the scheme, there is a risk that there are:
- anemia, insomnia, dizziness, decreased neutrophils, platelets, and lymphocytes and increased bilirubin in the blood, rash, itching, chills, diarrhea, vomiting, fever;
- weight loss, depressive and panic conditions, migraine, constipation, shortness of breath, pain and other effects.
In more detail, all side effects are described by the instructions for use attached to the drug Sofosbuvir .
Analogs
There are a number of analogues of the drug Sofosbuvir. They can be divided into 2 groups. Analogs for the active substance are: Viropack, Grateziano, Hepsinate, Hopetavir. The list of medicines that have a similar therapeutic effect to Sofosbuvir is much wider. We will name only a few of them: "Algeron", "Ledipasvir", "Neovir", "Cycloferon" and many others.
However, we can highlight a number of advantages of Sofosbuvir over its analogues:
- the possibility of treating various hepatitis C genotypes;
- high efficiency;
- a short course of treatment compared to many other medicines;
- good tolerance;
- does not affect the quality of life of the patient.
Cost
Modern medicine knows not so many effective drugs that successfully help fight viral hepatitis C, which has passed into the chronic stage. For adult patients, the German medicine Sofosbuvir is suitable. Instructions for use allow you to compare it with other similar medicines.
Due to the fact that this drug shows a fairly high efficiency, it has clear advantages compared to analogues, its cost is unusually high. One course will cost the patient about several thousand dollars. That is why it is almost impossible to get the drug Sofosbuvir in pharmacies.
To date, this remedy is the most perfect and safe drug that is used to treat viral hepatitis C. Such information is confirmed by the instructions attached to the drug Sofosbuvir. Analogues, according to doctors, do not allow to achieve equally significant results.
It is thanks to this that the drug is recognized by a huge number of doctors around the world. They are sure that today there is simply no more effective medication that can significantly facilitate the life of seriously ill patients.