Velpatasvir: instructions for use, price and where to buy generics from India in Russia

With the advent of new direct-acting antiviral drugs against hepatitis C, treating a complex infectious disease has become easier and safer for the health of patients. The substance velpatasvir (velpatasvir) is suitable for the treatment of all genotypes of the virus and is part of a combination drug, where the second active ingredient is sofosbuvir (sofosbuvir).

The chemical compound was synthesized, tested and patented as a drug by the American company Gilead. The trade name of the drug is Epclusa. The original drug went on sale in 2016, and some time later, the production of generics began under the license of the patent holder.

Clinical trials of the drug have shown a high percentage of cure for hepatitis C (almost 100%). This is possible as a result of the complex action on viruses of two highly effective chemical compounds with different mechanisms of action.

Velpatasvir inhibits a specific protein NS5A, while sofosbuvir inhibits the synthesis of NS5B RNA polymerase. These two components are integral to the replication and assembly of virions. Thus, when taking medication, the multiplication of viral agents is completely blocked.

In order for the viruses to disappear from the body forever, a course treatment is required, the minimum duration of which is 12 weeks.

Instructions for use

The annotation contains important information that you need to read before starting treatment. Special attention should be paid to contraindications, side effects and compatibility with other medications. The individual course of treatment is drawn up by a qualified doctor. Before starting therapy, you should read the instructions for use.

Dosage form

Epklusa and its generics are available in tablet form. The tablets are coated and engraved on both sides. They are packed in plastic jars of 28 pieces, which are packed in a cardboard box.

Description and composition

One tablet contains 100 mg velpatasvir and 400 mg sofobusvir. The composition includes auxiliary components for binding active substances into a dosage form.

Pharmacological group

The drug belongs to antiviral agents effective against RNA viruses. Only works against viral agents that cause hepatitis C. Does not adversely affect human own RNA or the RNA of other pathogens.

Indications for use

Epclus is prescribed for hepatitis C. Used to treat all six genotypes of the virus. It effectively treats a disease complicated by varying degrees of cirrhosis. With the decompensation of the process, the medication is combined with Ribavirin.

Contraindications

The medicine is not prescribed to the following persons:

• under the age of eighteen;
• pregnant and breastfeeding women;
• having individual intolerance to the components;
• suffering from renal or liver failure.

When treating elderly patients over 65 years of age, the drug is used with caution.

Method of administration, dose and treatment regimen

One tablet contains a daily dosage sufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. The duration of therapy is determined by the doctor, based on the characteristics of the disease. Standard treatment lasts 12 weeks.

With complicated pathology, the course of therapy is doubled. If the patient has already been treated with other antiviral drugs or has fibrosis of the third and fourth degrees, then Ribavirin is added to the medicine, and the course lasts for 24 weeks.

Reception features:

1. The tablet is drunk 1 time per day, at the same time, regardless of food consumption. Swallow whole and wash down with water.
2. If the medicine is not taken within 18 hours after the fixed time, then this dose should be skipped.
3. Do not change the dosage throughout the course or abruptly interrupt therapy.
4. It is forbidden to drink alcohol during treatment.

Side effects

Taking the drug may be accompanied by the following adverse reactions:

• mild headache;
• lethargy, loss of strength;
• irritability;
• nausea, diarrhea;
• soreness, bloating;
• an increase in body temperature;
• rashes on the skin;
• anemia.

In general, the medication is well tolerated. Side effects do not develop in all patients and are mild or moderate.

Severe ailments occur in less than 1% of patients. They are expressed in bradycardia, mental disorders, serious changes in the blood.

It is very important where you plan buy velpatasvir. Please contact only trusted suppliers to avoid counterfeiting.

Compatibility with other medicinal products

The effect of an NS5A inhibitor can be reduced while taking a number of medications. The list is presented by antacids, anticonvulsants, phytopreparations containing St. John's wort extract, proton pump inhibitors, histamine H-2 receptor blockers, antibiotics.

If the patient needs treatment with Rifampicin, Dexamethasone, Phenobarbital or other drugs, reducing the effect of Velpatasvir, then hepatitis C therapy should be postponed until the discontinuation of these medicines.

Concomitant therapy

Medical treatment is necessary for viral hepatitis, but it is equally important to reduce the high load on the diseased liver. To do this, the patient should revise his diet towards healthy, light food, rich in vitamins and minerals.

Doctors advise patients to follow diet number 5, which excludes fatty, fried, salty and spicy foods. It is recommended to eat more vegetables, fruits, seafood, nuts, lean meats, fish, dairy products.

Overdose

In clinical studies, cases of overdose have not been described. Since the drug is used one tablet per day and a fixed rate, this phenomenon has not been observed in medical practice.

Storage conditions

The medicine should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, in a dry place out of the reach of children.

The shelf life of Velpatasvir is 2 years from the date of production. Then the medication becomes unusable and requires disposal.

Termination of treatment

The antiviral course of Epclusa and its analogs is stopped with the development of severe side effects, as well as in the absence of a sustained virological response.

Pharmacy sales conditions

Abroad, you can independently purchase medicines based on velpatasvir according to an international prescription from a doctor in Latin.

Price and where to buy

Medicines containing velpatasvir are not registered in Russia. Therefore, they cannot be bought in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of our country. Not sold at licensed pharmacies. You can order the original Epclus drug or the generics patented by Gilead through intermediaries who deliver drugs from foreign countries.

This method of purchasing medicines is popular, since reliable suppliers attach to purchase all the necessary accompanying documents proving the quality of the purchased drugs. Epclusa is imported most often from Germany, USA, Israel, and generics are delivered directly from India.

The price for a pack of velpatasvir as part of the original Epclusa preparation is about 20 thousand dollars. Due to the high cost, the drug from Gilead is available to few, therefore it is often replaced with analogues manufactured in India.

Generics

Several large pharmaceutical companies in India produce generic Velpatasvir. They are structural analogs of Epcles, therefore they have the same properties as the original. The representative of the Gilead company strictly monitors the quality of the generics produced. Thanks to this, medicines from India are not inferior in efficiency and safety to the original medicine.

Combinations with velpatasvir from India:

• SoviHep V (Sovihep B). Produced by Zydus Heptiza. The approximate price for a course of treatment ranges from 54,000 rubles. This amount does not include transportation costs for the delivery of the medication to Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia.
• Velasof (Velasof). Produced by the pharmaceutical corporation Hetero labs. The estimated cost of the course is 54,000 rubles.
• Velpanat (Velpanat) from Natco Pharma Limited (Natco Pharma). The approximate price is 57,000 rubles (12 weeks of treatment).
• Resof total, manufacturer Dr. Reddy's. The estimated cost for a course of 12 weeks is 51,000 rubles.

Generic Epcles, produced in Bangladesh, is presented on the pharmaceutical market. The drug is marketed under the trade name Sofosvel by Beacon Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The medication costs about 60,000 rubles for a standard course.

Velpatasvir is also part of a combination medicine containing sofosbuvir (for more details, see article) and voxilaprevir. The original drug is manufactured by Gilead under the name Vosevi. Generic is produced by Vargas Farma (the manufacturer's factories are located in Venezuela) under the trade name Vihep SW.

Reviews

Velpatasvir is a new drug that has been used since 2016. Despite this, a lot of reviews about him have already appeared on the Internet. The drug is the most effective of a similar range of drugs, therefore it has a large number of positive responses from doctors and patients.

Opinion of doctors

Infectious disease doctors highly appreciate the medication. However, many of them note the fact that the practical use of the drug is less than five years, so it is too early to speak with absolute certainty about the quality of treatment.

Patient reviews from forums

Evgeniya, 48 years old

“Hepatitis C was diagnosed. The doctor advised me to purchase Epclus, as today this drug is considered the most effective. Despite the high cost, I decided on treatment. During therapy, there were practically no side effects. After completing the course, all analyzes were normal. "

Anna, 36 years old

“Recently I was diagnosed with genotype 3 hepatitis C. This disease is difficult to cure, so I chose the most effective option, which the doctor advised me. This is Velpatasvir. I ordered a generic SoviHep via the Internet, paid on receipt. During treatment, there was a slight lethargy, weakness and nausea. But now the state of health has returned to normal, and the tests show the absence of the virus in the blood. "

How to distinguish a fake

Expensive drugs often become a means of profit for fraudsters, so you need to be very careful when buying. Counterfeit medicines are similar in appearance to licensed medicines, but still, upon closer examination, you can see the differences. To do this, you need to study and compare the appearance of cardboard packaging and jars of pills from the photo on the manufacturers' websites.

Certified medicines have insignia: holograms, protective films on the neck of the can, stripes with text, relief embossing of inscriptions on the box. It is difficult to fake all this. Therefore, you need to order a medication by cash on delivery (with payment after receipt). You should only contact reliable intermediaries who provide checks from a licensed overseas pharmacy, or certificates confirming the authenticity of the purchased pharmaceutical.

When receiving a purchase, you should carefully consider the medicine, as well as:

• check the date of manufacture and serial number (they must match on the jar and box);
• check all manufacturer's protection marks;
• make sure you have instructions for use.