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Harvoni vs. Epclusa

Are Harvoni and Epclusa the Same Thing?

Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) and Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir) are combinations of antiviral agents used to treat chronic hepatitis C (CHC) genotype 1 infection in adults.

Epclusa is also used to treat adult patients with chronic HCV genotype 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 infection: without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis; or with decompensated cirrhosis for use in combination with ribavirin.

Side effects of Harvoni and Epclusa that are similar include fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, and weakness.

Side effects of Epclusa that are different from Harvoni include low blood iron (anemia), rash, and depression.

Both Harvoni and Epclusa may interact with rifampin and St. John's wort.

Epclusa may also interact with antimycobacterials, carbamazepine and other anticonvulsants, antacids, H2-receptor antagonists, proton-pump inhibitors, antiarrhythmics, topotecan, HIV antiretrovirals, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Harvoni?

Common side effects of Harvoni include:

    • fatigue,
    • headache,
    • nausea,
    • diarrhea,
    • insomnia, and
    • weakness.

    What Are Possible Side Effects of Epclusa?

    Common side effects of Epclusa include:

    • headache
    • fatigue
    • low blood iron (anemia)
    • nausea
    • insomnia
    • diarrhea
    • weakness
    • rash
    • depression

    What Is Harvoni?

    Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) is a direct-acting antiviral agent used to treat chronic hepatitis C (CHC) genotype 1 infection in adults.

    What Is Epclusa?

    Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir) is a fixed-dose combination of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitor, and an HCV NS5A inhibitor, and is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 infection: without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis; or with decompensated cirrhosis for use in combination with ribavirin.

     

    What Drugs Interact With Harvoni?

    Harvoni may interact with rifampin, and St. John's wort. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plant to become pregnant before using Harvoni. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

    What Drugs Interact With Epclusa?

    Epclusa may interact with rifampin and other antimycobacterials, St. John's wort, carbamazepine and other anticonvulsants, antacids, H2-receptor antagonists, proton-pump inhibitors, antiarrhythmics, topotecan, HIV antiretrovirals, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Epclusa is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It is also not recommended for men whose female partners are pregnant. It is unknown if Epclusa passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

     

    How Should Harvoni Be Taken?

    Harvoni is a two-drug fixed-dose combination product that contains 90 mg of ledipasvir and 400 mg of sofosbuvir in a single tablet. The recommended dosage of Harvoni is one tablet taken orally once daily with or without food.

    How Should Epclusa Be Taken?

    The recommended dosage of Epclusa is one tablet (400 mg of sofosbuvir and 100 mg of velpatasvir) taken orally once daily with or without food.