Description

Harvoni is, which are used to treat Hep C. These drugs lessen the amount of Hep C virus in your body. They may help your liver recover and helps your immune system fight the infection.

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus, and it can lead to severe liver damage. The hepatitis C virus can be spread through contaminated blood. To cure Hepatitis C, more people have prescribed HARVONI. This prescribed medication is used to treat adult patients with chronic Hepatitis C (hep C) genotype 1, 4, 5, or 6 infections with or without cirrhosis (compensated).

Directions

HARVONI is usually taken once a day by mouth with or without food as instructed by your doctor. The dosage depends on your age, medical condition, and response to the treatment.

HARVONI works best when the amount of drugs in your body is kept at a constant level. To make it easy, take the drug at the same time every day.

After taking HARVONI, if you vomit within 5 hours, tell your doctor.

Even if symptoms disappear after a short period, continue taking HARVONI for the full length of time prescribed. The infection may return if you stop the medication too early.

Take an antacid at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking HARVONI if you're taking an antacid. Antacids modulate the absorption of ledipasvir.

If you are taking medication for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers, ask your healthcare provider about how to take these medications safely. Other acid-lowering drugs may prevent ledipasvir from working.

Ingredients

HARVONI is a combination of two different antiviral medications, ledipasvir and sofosbuvir.

Ledipasvir

The hepatitis C virus is made up of genetic material and a protective protein coat. The virus uses the protein NS5A to replicate its genetic material and create more virus particles. Ledipasvir inhibits NS5A, preventing viral replication.

Sofosbuvir

Hepatitis C viruses also use the protein NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to replicate its genetic code. Sofosbuvir binds to this protein and stops it from functions.

Cautions

Before taking HARVONI, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

1. Allergies to either ledipasvir or sofosbuvir or if you have any other allergies. This drug can cause allergies or other problems because it might contain inactive ingredients.
2. Hepatitis B history or other liver problems other than Hep C. Tell your doctor about your medical history.
3. Diabetes. Your blood sugar might lower with HARVONI. If you experience any symptoms of low blood sugar such as sudden sweating, fast heartbeat, shaking, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands or feet, call your doctor right away.

If you are having surgery, tell your healthcare provider about the products you use. This includes prescribed drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal products.

Pregnancy warning

Breastfeeding Warning

Interactions

Drug interactions are more likely to change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. You must tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any prescription, over-the-counter, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or vitamin-containing drugs and supplements.

Don't take HARVONI if you are taking any of these drugs:

• Antivirals like Aptivus (tipranavir) and Olysio (simeprevir)
• Cordarone, Pacerone, or Nexterone (amiodarone)
• Crestor (rosuvastatin)
• Dilantin and Phenytek (phenytoin)
• Equetro, Carbatrol, or Tegretol (carbamazepine)
• Lanoxin (digoxin)
• Rifadin or Rimactane (rifampin)
• The herbal supplement St. John's wort

Several drugs that might have serious interactions with Harvoni are the following:

• Tums (calcium carbonate), Antacids, like aluminum hydroxide, and sodium bicarbonate
• Axid (nizatidine), Zantac (ranitidine), Pepcid (famotidine), and Tagamet (cimetidine),
• Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide)
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Dexilant (dexlansoprazole), Prilosec (omeprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), and Protonix (pantoprazole)
• Tagamet (cimetidine)
• Videx and Videx EC (didanosine)

Don't take HARVONI with other products that have sofosbuvir.

Side Effects

The most common side effects when taking HARVONI include:

• Tiredness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty in sleeping

Tell your healthcare provider promptly if any of these effects persist or worsen.

If you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such as rash, itching or swelling of the face/tongue/throat, severe dizziness, trouble in breathing, call medical help immediately. However, a severe allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

HARVONI can also cause Hepatitis B virus reactivation. If you had hepatitis B before, there's a possibility that the hepatitis B virus will become active again during and after treatment with HARVONI.

This is more likely to cause serious side effects, including liver problems and death. Your healthcare provider will conduct blood tests to check for hepatitis B infection before starting HARVONI.

Medication Guide