Interactions of Epclusa with Other Medications, Alcohol, and Other Substances
Epclusa, a brand-name drug used to treat hepatitis C in certain adults and children, can interact with a variety of substances, including certain medications, supplements, and foods. Here's what you need to know to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Epclusa, a combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir, may interact with certain statins, such as rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, and simvastatin. This interaction is primarily due to velpatasvir affecting drug transport mechanisms that alter statin metabolism and clearance, leading to a higher risk of statin-related side effects such as muscle pain and rhabdomyolysis.
Coadministration with Epclusa significantly increases rosuvastatin plasma levels. Dose adjustment or choosing an alternative cholesterol medication may be required to minimize toxicity risks. Other statins metabolized similarly to rosuvastatin also carry potential risks when taken with Epclusa, mostly due to increased systemic exposure and risk of muscle-related side effects.
If you take Epclusa with a diabetes medication, watch for symptoms of low blood sugar, such as headache, dizziness, sweating, and shaking. Certain antibiotics can make Epclusa less effective or increase the risk of its side effects. Epclusa may also interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, which can slow down the activity of an enzyme in your body that helps break down Epclusa, leading to a high level of Epclusa in your system and increased risk of side effects.
To ease symptoms of low blood sugar, your doctor may recommend eating at least 15 grams (g) of carbohydrates. This may include fruit juice, hard candies, or glucose (sugar) tablets.
Certain antacids can make Epclusa less effective, and Epclusa may interact with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. It's important to share your supplement, herb, and vitamin use with your doctor and pharmacist. Epclusa can make certain seizure drugs less effective, and examples of drugs that can interact with Epclusa include certain statins, certain antiarrhythmics, certain seizure drugs, certain antibiotics, certain antacids, proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, diabetes medications, warfarin, and topotecan.
There are no reports of interactions between Epclusa and vitamins, but it's still recommended to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Epclusa. It's important to avoid sprinkling Epclusa oral pellets on acidic foods such as cheese and fruit. The pellets should be sprinkled onto nonacidic foods, such as ice cream and pudding.
Epclusa isn't known to interact with any lab tests. However, severely low blood sugar may be life-threatening or cause loss of consciousness. If you have severely low blood sugar, you or a bystander should call 911 or a local emergency number immediately.
An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. It's crucial to inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and foods you're taking to ensure safe and effective treatment with Epclusa.
