What is Sofosbuvir?
Overview
Sofosbuvir is an antiviral medication used in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It is a nucleotide analog inhibitor of the HCV RNA polymerase, which is essential for the viral replication process. Developed by Gilead Sciences, sofosbuvir is a key component of several combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C.
Mechanism of Action
Sofosbuvir works by inhibiting the HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, an enzyme critical for the replication of hepatitis C virus. By incorporating into the viral RNA, it causes chain termination, effectively stopping the virus from multiplying.
Uses
Sofosbuvir is used in combination with other antiviral medications, such as ribavirin and interferon, or with other direct-acting antivirals like ledipasvir, velpatasvir, or daclatasvir, to treat various genotypes of chronic hepatitis C. It has significantly improved treatment outcomes, with higher cure rates and shorter treatment durations compared to previous therapies.
Approval and Availability
Sofosbuvir was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2013. Since then, it has been approved in numerous countries worldwide. It is available under the brand name Sovaldi and as part of combination therapies such as Harvoni (sofosbuvir/ledipasvir) and Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir).
Side Effects
Common side effects of sofosbuvir include fatigue, headache, nausea, insomnia, and anemia. When used in combination with other medications, additional side effects related to those drugs may also occur.