Preparation "Sofosbuvir": instructions for use, mechanism of action, analogues

To date, almost three hundred million people in the world have been infected with the hepatitis C virus. However, a vaccine against this dangerous disease has not yet been developed.

Features of the disease

A terrible virus affects the cells of an organ important for human life - the liver. After that, hepatitis C creates its own copy, which extends beyond the affected cell to spread the disease.

To date, several methods have been identified for contracting viral hepatitis:

• With blood transfusion;
• When applying tattoos, acupuncture and other procedures, if non-sterile needles are used;
• When using one needle by addicted people;
• Sexual intercourse;
• From mother to child during pregnancy.

Features of treatment

Many doctors compare hepatitis C with HIV. Cure of this deadly disease at this time is impossible. Nevertheless, there are certain types of drugs that are designed to prevent the spread of the virus.

In such treatment, two drugs are usually used: "Interferon Alfa" and "Ribavirin." The first prevents the spread of the virus into healthy cells, the second is directed at counteracting its reproduction. However, this treatment regimen has a huge number of side effects and low efficacy.

Therefore, scientists continue to develop new drugs that help fight against hepatitis C. One of the latest achievements of innovative medicine is the drug "Sofosbuvir." The instruction for use contains all the necessary information about it.

Description of the preparation

The drug is available in the form of tablets of round shape, the surface of which is covered with a shell, soluble only in gastric juice. This information contains the instructions attached to the preparation "Sofosbuvir". The composition of the drug includes a unique substance having the same name as the preparation, as well as auxiliary substances.

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 "Sofosbuvir" preparation. The mechanism of action, in simple terms, is that the main substance of the drug is a modern retarder of the hepatitis C enzyme. It has a complex effect on the organism affected by the virus. Clinical trials have shown that even in a severely weakened disease the body under the action of the drug has a stable positive dynamics. 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 is not proven. It is important to understand that, despite the detailed instructions that contain the instructions for use of the Sofosbuvir preparation, the manufacturer warns against self-medication. Intensive therapy against the chronic form of viral hepatitis C can be prescribed exclusively by an experienced physician. The course of treatment is conducted under the supervision of professionals.

Application of the medicine

Most doctors believe that the drug "Sofosbuvir" should be taken only 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, the drug "Sofosbuvir" is prescribed with the drugs "Ribavirin" and "Interferon Alpha". The course of therapy should be more than 3 months.
• In case of infection with hepatitis 1, as well as when it is impossible to use a medication such as "Interferon Alpha" (if there are contraindications or individual intolerance). In this case, the course is extended twice.
• In genotype 2, the combination scheme of the drug "Sofosbuvir" with the drug "Ribavirin" is used for 3 months.
• If the patient expects a liver transplant, it is recommended to use medicines "Ribavirin" and "Sofosbuvir" at the same time. Instruction for use recommends prolongation of treatment up to transplantation.

In the event that there are side effects associated with taking one of the drugs of combination therapy, you should stop therapy. Data on the effectiveness of treatment in persons who have not reached adulthood are absent in the world practice.

The drug "Sofosbuvir" is taken once a day in a dose prescribed by the doctor. There are rules that must be followed when:

• Do not chew or share tablets, as they have a very bitter taste. The medication is taken with food.
• If vomiting occurs within two hours after taking the medication, you should drink an additional dose of the drug.
• If you miss a medication, if the delay is less than 18 hours, take the missed tablet. If the time has passed more - take the next dose at the set time.

special instructions

A variety of additional information that is important to know when taking the medication, contains the instruction attached to the preparation "Sofosbuvir". Indications for the use of this drug in the complex therapy largely determine side effects.

When treating the drug should know the following:

• The concentration of attention and reaction speed is reduced, so it is worth to give up driving and some activities;
• The occurrence of pregnancy is undesirable, therefore, reliable methods of contraception should be provided.

Side effects

To date, not all side effects have been identified Preparation "Sofosbuvir". The 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 drug "Ribavirin" there are:

• More than 10% of cases - a decrease in the level of hemoglobin and an increase in bilirubin in the blood, nausea, fatigue, sleep disorders, headache, nervousness;
• In 1% of cases - inflammation of the nasal mucosa and pharynx, decrease in the level of iron in the blood, depression, cough, attention concentration disorder, problems with the functioning of the digestive tract, hair loss, itching, convulsions, fever.

With the additional introduction of the drug "Interferon Alpha" there is a risk that there will be:

• Anemia, insomnia, dizziness, decrease in the number of 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 describe the instructions for use attached to the preparation "Sofosbuvir" .

Analogues

There are a number of analogues of the preparation "Sofosbuvir". They can be divided into 2 groups. Analogues for the active substance are: "Viropak", "Grateziano", "Hepsinat", "Hopetavir". The list of drugs that have a similar therapeutic effect to Sofosbuvir is much broader. Let's name only some of them: "Algeron", "Ladipasvir", "Neovir", "Tsikloferon" and many others.

However, we can identify a number of advantages of Sofosbuvira over its analogues:

• The possibility of treating various genotypes of hepatitis C;
• high efficiency;
• Short treatment compared with many other drugs;
• Good tolerability;
• 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 a chronic stage. For adults, 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 quite high efficiency, it has obvious advantages in comparison with 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.

For today the most perfect and safe preparation which is used for treatment of a virus hepatitis With, is this means. This information is confirmed by the instructions attached to the medication "Sofosbuvir". Analogues, according to doctors, do not allow achieving equally significant results.

It is thanks to this that the drug is recognized by a huge number of doctors all over the world. They are sure that today there is simply no more effective medication that can significantly alleviate the life of seriously ill patients.