Velpanat

Sofosbuvir (400mg) + Velpatasvir (100mg)
Price: Approx. ₹15,000 - ₹19,000 for a 28-tablet strip (market dependent)
Mfr: Natco Pharma Ltd. | Form: Tablet

📋 Clinical Overview

Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir is a fixed-dose combination antiviral medication used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults. Sofosbuvir is a nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitor, while Velpatasvir is an NS5A inhibitor. This pan-genotypic combination offers a high cure rate (SVR12 >95%) across all six major HCV genotypes (1-6) without the need for ribavirin in most patients, representing a significant advancement in HCV therapy in India.

💊 Dosage & Administration

Adult: One tablet (Sofosbuvir 400mg + Velpatasvir 100mg) orally once daily, with or without food.

Note: Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break. Can be taken with or without food, but should be consistent. If taken with an antacid, separate administration by at least 4 hours. If taken with an H2-receptor antagonist, administer simultaneously or 12 hours apart. If taken with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), take the PPI simultaneously with food.

⚠️ Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, or any excipient in the formulation.
  • Coadministration with strong P-gp inducers (e.g., rifampin, St. John's wort, carbamazepine, phenytoin) as they significantly decrease plasma concentrations leading to loss of efficacy.

🔬 Mechanism of Action

Sofosbuvir is a prodrug that undergoes intracellular phosphorylation to form the pharmacologically active uridine analog triphosphate (GS-461203). This analog acts as a defective substrate for the HCV RNA-dependent NS5B polymerase, causing chain termination during viral RNA replication. Velpatasvir directly inhibits the HCV NS5A protein, which is essential for viral RNA replication and virion assembly. The combination provides a high barrier to resistance and potent antiviral activity across all genotypes.

🤕 Side Effects

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Asthenia (weakness)
  • Insomnia

🤰 Special Populations

Pregnancy: Category B: No adequate human data. Animal studies show no risk. Use only if clearly needed. Ribavirin, if used in combination, is Category X and contraindicated in pregnancy.

Driving: Dizziness and fatigue have been reported. Patients should be cautioned about driving or operating machinery if they experience these effects.

🔄 Drug Interactions

AmiodaroneRisk of serious symptomatic bradycardia, potentially fatal.Contraindicated
Rifampin / St. John's Wort / Carbamazepine / PhenytoinMarkedly decrease plasma concentrations of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, leading to loss of virologic response.Contraindicated
Antacids (Al, Mg)Decrease velpatasvir absorption. Separate administration by at least 4 hours.Major
H2-Receptor Antagonists (e.g., Famotidine)May decrease velpatasvir levels. Administer simultaneously or 12 hours apart.Moderate
Proton Pump Inhibitors (e.g., Omeprazole)Significantly decrease velpatasvir levels. Use with caution at doses equivalent to omeprazole 20mg or lower, administered simultaneously with food.Major
Rifabutin / EfavirenzDecrease velpatasvir concentrations. Not recommended.Major
TopotecanIncreased topotecan exposure. Avoid.Major
Rosuvastatin / AtorvastatinIncreased statin exposure, increasing risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis. Use lowest possible statin dose.Moderate
DigoxinIncreased digoxin concentration. Monitor digoxin levels.Moderate
Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF)Increased tenofovir exposure in patients receiving HIV regimen containing TDF. Monitor for TDF-associated adverse effects.Moderate

🔁 Alternatives to Velpanat

Same composition (Sofosbuvir (400mg) + Velpatasvir (100mg)), different brands:

Hepcvir-L MyHep All Resof Total Sovihep V