I took EPCLUSA every morning right after I got out of the shower. I got a phone call from the doctors office, and they said that I was cured. If youve been diagnosed with hepatitis C, your doctor may want you to take Epclusa. As a former addict, I know that Ill always be working on my recovery, but uhm, I dont have any desire to use drugs ever again. Studies in people with severe kidney disease, including people receiving dialysis, found Epclusa treatment to be safe and effective. Epclusa is given We were totally thrilled! swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet, swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe, how soon after starting that dosage you had the side effect, any other information you feel is important. I just felt man, it just felt so good that Ive done all this work to change my life around, and now I dont gotta worry about this Hepatitis C anymore. So I was ready for a cure. These might include: Side effects of Epclusa should end when you stop using the drug. Not long after that, my first shipment of EPCLUSA came in the mail. 1-800-FDA-1088. By the time the virus reappeared following the second treatment, I was done. My treatment wasnt going to be a financial burden on my family. effects of EPCLUSA? Taking Epclusa with amiodarone can cause bradycardia (slow heart rate). Keep watching for Important Safety Information including Important Warning on Hepatitis B reactivation. EPCLUSA is a prescription medicine used to of your medical conditions, including if you have ever had hepatitis B infection, liver problems At first, Chris was uncertain about Hep C treatment. Nausea can be a symptom of hepatitis C. It can also be a side effect of hepatitis C treatment. Fatigue caused by Epclusa is usually mild. Restrictions apply. should know about EPCLUSA? help right away if you take amiodarone with EPCLUSA and get any of the [2][3][4][5] It combines sofosbuvir and velpatasvir. One pill, once a day for 12 weeks. Epclusa belongs to a class of drugs called HCV NS5A Inhibitors; HCV Polymerase Inhibitors. EPCLUSA and certain other medicines may affect each other, or And we talked about the blood tests that they would have to perform before I started treatment. It results in damages and inflammation. I am free from my past, and Im free from Hepatitis C. It feels unbelievable! Several requirements and restrictions may block coverage. So, from the time I was diagnosed to the time that I started treatment, it was only like a month. Cure means the Hep C virus is not detected in the blood when measured three months after treatment is completed. Epclusa is a very well-tolerated medication with minimal side effects. It could be your kind of cure, too. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. If you want to learn more about EPCLUSA support and available resources, call the EPCLUSA Education. problems including liver failure and We need to get you on some kind of treatment now. And thats when he told me about EPCLUSA. I was just elated. EPCLUSA and certain medicines may affect each other, or cause side effect. I used to be a drug addict. However, it is now March 2019 and I feel TERRIBLE. The HBV could reactivate during or after your treatment with Epclusa. After I got out, I seen my primary care physician. Now I know theres a lot of support for patients starting on EPCLUSA. Epclusa is a medicine that contains the active substances sofosbuvir and velpatasvir. I eventually went and seen a doctor. Please visit EPCLUSA.com to view Important Facts about EPCLUSA, including Important Warnings on Hepatitis B reactivation. EPCLUSA was approved by the FDA IN 2016. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. EPCLUSA and certain other medicines my affect each other, or cause side effects. You may be rid of the virus now however the liver now has to heal. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments. This contains the same active ingredients as Epclusa (velpatasvir and sofosbuvir). He was cured with EPCLUSA. Hepatitis B virus reactivation: Slow heart rate (bradycardia): This whole experience inspired me to make a lot of positive changes in my life and I started looking at myself in a more positive way. accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/214187s001lbl.pdf, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=35f99f76-f2ef-4a81-91ff-285419664be3, liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/diseases-of-the-liver/hepatitis-c/support-for-patients-with-hepatitis-c/, Ask the Advocate: Advocating for Hepatitis C Care as a Hispanic or Latinx Person, Everything You Want to Know About Hepatitis C, Your FAQs Answered: Hepatitis C from Needles, Medicaid Coverage for Hepatitis C: The Basics, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Effect of Hepatitis C on the Liver and How to Prevent More Damage, 7 Things to Know About Preventing Hepatitis C, Reactivation of existing hepatitis B virus., sharing needles with someone who may have HCV, getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsanitary equipment, having sex without a condom or other barrier method with a partner who may have HCV. Hepatitis C is an infection that can cause inflammation or swelling of the liver. I didnt think a true cure for Hep C was possible, but, um, I was cautiously optimistic that it might work for me. He said it could be taken with or without food and I only had to take it for 12 weeks, rather than injections with Interferon. If you are thankful, you will have an ease, and an internal peace. EPCLUSA can cause serious I guess its a death sentence but lost almost three months of my life in a daze. following symptoms: fainting or near-fainting, dizziness or lightheadedness, Slow heart rate (bradycardia): You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. I tried Interferon as part of my treatment for Hep C. That was the standard back then. I have a great relationship with my doctor, and I really trusted his opinion. Do not hesitate. And if you have questions about your specific risk for serious side effects of Epclusa, talk with your doctor. What is the most important information I should know about and that it has an overall cure rate of 98%. Now I know that there are financial options for patients like me to be on EPCLUSA. Hear how treatment was affordable for Frank with EPCLUSA. and I was tested, and I seen that I had Hepatitis C, too. We did some routine blood work, and the doctor came back into the room and said, Were you aware that you had hepatitis C? And that was the first time that Id heard the term hepatitis C mentioned, and I remember specifically saying, Well, how do we cure it? reactivation. They will continue to monitor you after the treatment. Epclusa is available in a generic version, too. Its also important to note that Epclusa can interact with grapefruit, and with the herb St. Johns wort. other than hepatitis C infection, or a liver transplant; if you have kidney problems or are on dialysis; if You know, Id been using intravenous drugs for quite some time. I just thought it was a temporary thing. I could have taken it with or without food, but I took it with breakfast. reactivation of hepatitis B infection. A granule formulation of Epclusa is available for the treatment of . What are the mild side effects of Epclusa? Ask your doctor if EPCLUSA can be your kind of cure. If youre pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking Epclusa. We also went over the common side effects of EPCLUSA like headache and tiredness. Im as happy as can be when Im at home, hanging out with my family and friends, washing my car, cutting my grass, stuff like that. Tell your healthcare provider about all With my Hep C, I had no symptoms, but, um, I was scared I might pass it on to one of my kids, and I worried that it might catch up to me as I got older. Theres no phones. during and after taking EPCLUSA. Starting treatment for your hepatitis C early may lower your risk for complications, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. reactivation. Ask your doctor if it could be your kind of cure, too. Before starting EPCLUSA treatment, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for Restrictions apply. I have had severe brain fog and am now on Lactalose to bind the Ammonia and expel THROUGH pooping. respective owners. By following this link, you are now leaving www.EPCLUSA.com. Before starting EPCLUSA treatment, An advocate answers questions about the barriers Hispanic and Latinx people face in receiving hepatitis C treatment and the changes that need to be. Tell your healthcare provider and A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). I mean, I was probably the happiest guy around town. He told me, he said, Your liver is in pretty bad shape. It also isnt known if its safe to take Epclusa while breastfeeding. Please see Important Facts about EPCLUSA including Important Warning on EPCLUSA.com. hepatitis B virus could become active I didnt think that it would be so simple! After I failed Interferon, I was thinking theres nothing that can be done, and it was something that I was just going to have to live with. Some people may experience mild side effects while taking Epclusa. Im from Louisville, Kentucky, and I manage a warehouse. For patients with advanced cirrhosis (decompensated), EPCLUSA is used with ribavirin. I want to inspire other people that are living with Hep C. You know, its definitely curable, and so I encourage anybody that has Hep C to go talk to their doctor about effective treatments. noted. I admit I was somewhat skeptical because Id been through two rounds of treatment previously. If you take ribavirin with Epclusa and you or your partner could become pregnant, use birth control throughout your treatment and for 6 months after your last dose of ribavirin. This may cause serious liver The most common side effects of EPCLUSA in adults include headache and tiredness. A mild skin rash from Epclusa usually goes away on its own. EPCLUSA? 11. you have HIV; or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. Questions that you may want to ask your doctor include: For hepatitis C resources and support, visit help4hep.org or call 877-Help-4-Hep (877-435-7443). I have started epclusa 21 days ago. Epclusa is a brand-name prescription drug that's used to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) in adults and certain children. If youre experiencing symptoms that bother you or dont go away, talk with your doctor. In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easy to manage. Cure means the Hep C virus is not detected in the blood when measured three months after treatment is completed. EPCLUSA, when taken with amiodarone (Cordarone, In some cases slow heart rate has led to death or the need for a pacemaker when amiodarone is taken with medicines . The HBV can reactivate (flare up) in people who have both HBV and hepatitis C. 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