What is the most important information I should know about elbasvir and grazoprevir?
You should not use this medicine if you have moderate or severe liver disease.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.
If you've ever had hepatitis B, using elbasvir and grazoprevir can cause this virus to become active or get worse. Tell your doctor if you don't feel well and you have right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
What is elbasvir and grazoprevir?
Elbasvir and grazoprevir are antiviral medicines that prevent hepatitis C (HCV) from multiplying in your body.
Elbasvir and grazoprevir is a combination medicine used to treat chronic hepatitis C in adults. This medicine is sometimes given together with another drug called ribavirin.
Elbasvir and grazoprevir treats specific genotypes of hepatitis C, and only in certain people. Use only the medications prescribed for you. Do not share your medicine with other people.
Elbasvir and grazoprevir is sometimes used in people who also have HIV. This medicine is not a treatment for HIV or AIDS.
Elbasvir and grazoprevir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking elbasvir and grazoprevir?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to elbasvir or grazoprevir, or if you have:
- moderate or severe liver disease.
When taking elbasvir and grazoprevir with ribavirin: To make sure all medicines are safe for you, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with elbasvir and grazoprevir. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:
- cyclosporine;
- rifampin;
- St. John's wort;
-
HIV or AIDS medication --atazanavir, darunavir, efavirenz, lopinavir, saquinavir, tipranavir; or
-
seizure medicine --carbamazepine, phenytoin.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- hepatitis B;
- liver problems other than hepatitis C;
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus);
- a liver transplant, or if you are waiting to have a liver transplant; or
- if you use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven) and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests.
Elbasvir and grazoprevir is sometimes used in combination with ribavirin. Both men and women using ribavirin should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Ribavirin can cause birth defects, miscarriage, or death to an unborn baby if the mother or father is using this medicine.
You should not take ribavirin if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your sex partner is pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose of ribavirin.
Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using ribavirin.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Elbasvir and grazoprevir is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take elbasvir and grazoprevir?
Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using elbasvir and grazoprevir.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
You may take elbasvir and grazoprevir with or without food.
Take the medicine at the same time each day.
You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.
If you've ever had hepatitis B, using elbasvir and grazoprevir can cause this virus to become active or get worse. You may need frequent liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after you stop.
You should not stop using elbasvir and grazoprevir suddenly. Stopping suddenly could make your hepatitis C harder to treat with antiviral medicine.
Use all hepatitis C medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with chronic hepatitis C should remain under the care of a doctor.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each tablet in the foil blister pack until you are ready to take it.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking elbasvir and grazoprevir?
Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HCV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
What are the possible side effects of elbasvir and grazoprevir?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, elbasvir and grazoprevir may cause serious liver injury. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as:
- right-sided upper stomach pain or swelling;
- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
- confusion, tiredness, feeling light-headed;
- easy bruising or bleeding, vomiting blood;
- diarrhea, black or bloody stools;
- dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
- yellowing of your skin or eyes.
If you also take ribavirin, tell your doctor if you have symptoms of low red blood cells (anemia):
- pale skin, cold hands and feet;
- unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed; or
- shortness of breath.
Common side effects may include:
- headache;
- tiredness;
- anemia; or
- nausea.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect elbasvir and grazoprevir?
When you start or stop taking elbasvir and grazoprevir, your doctor may need to adjust the doses of any other medicines you take on a regular basis.
Many drugs can affect elbasvir and grazoprevir, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about elbasvir and grazoprevir.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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