What Is Harvoni?(ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) | HealthInfi

Harvoni contains a combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir are antiviral medications that prevent hepatitis C virus (HCV) from multiplying in your body. Harvoni is used to treat hepatitis C genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6. This medicine is for use in adults and children who are at least 12 years old or who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kilograms).

This medication is a combination of two drugs in a single form. Each tablet contains ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. It’s important to know about all the drugs in the combination because each drug may affect you in a different way.

Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, sold under the trade name Harvoni among others, is a medication used to treat hepatitis C. It is a combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. Cure rates are 94% to 99% in people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1.Some evidence also supports use in HCV genotype 3 and 4. It is taken daily by mouth for 8–24 weeks.

It is generally well tolerated. Common side effects include muscle pains, headache, nausea, rash, and cough. It is unclear if use in pregnancy is safe for the baby. Ledipasvir works by decreasing the activity of NS5A and sofosbuvir works by decreasing the activity of NS5B polymerase.

Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir was approved for medical use in the United States in 2014. It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.The wholesale cost in the United States is about US$91,589.40 for 12 weeks as of 2016. In Bangladesh this amount costs US$1,092.00. Some people travel to India to get access to lower cost medication.

Harvoni is sometimes given in combination with another medicine called ribavirin.

Qualitative and quantitative composition

Each film-coated tablet contains 90 mg ledipasvir and 400 mg sofosbuvir.

Excipients with known effect:

Each film-coated tablet contains 156.8 mg of lactose (as monohydrate) and 261 micrograms of sunset yellow FCF aluminium lake.

Important information

You should not use Harvoni if you are also taking sofosbuvir tablets (Sovaldi).

If you have ever had hepatitis B, Harvoni can cause this condition to come back or get worse. You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

Medical Uses

This drug is used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Cure rates are 94% to 99% in people infected with genotype 1. It has also been evaluated for the treatment of infection with other hepatitis C genotypes, and has shown promising results in genotypes 3 and 4.

It should not be used with amiodarone or other drugs that lower heart rate; there is a serious risk of the heart slowing or stopping when ledipasvir/sofosbuvir is used with such drugs.

How it works

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir are antiviral medications. They work together to inhibit enzymes and prevent the hepatitis C virus from making copies of itself. This stops the virus from spreading and may cure your infection.Read More