Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir is a medication used in the treatment of hepatitis C. It is a combination of two antiviral drugs, ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. The medication is taken orally, and it is available under the brand name Harvoni.

Mechanism of Action

Ledipasvir is an NS5A inhibitor, which means it blocks a protein that the hepatitis C virus needs to replicate. Sofosbuvir is a nucleotide analogue that inhibits the NS5B polymerase, another protein necessary for the virus to reproduce.

Uses

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir is used to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. It is effective against genotypes 1, 4, 5, and 6 of the virus. The medication is typically used in combination with other antiviral drugs.

Side Effects

Common side effects of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir include fatigue, headache, and nausea. More serious side effects can include a slow heart rate and reactivation of hepatitis B in those who have previously been infected with this virus.

History

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir was approved for medical use in the United States in 2014. It was developed by Gilead Sciences, and it is marketed under the brand name Harvoni.

See Also

• Hepatitis C treatment
• Antiviral drug
• Gilead Sciences