Sofosbuvir, sold most widely as Sovaldi / Hepcvir, is a NS5B polymerase inhibitor antiviral used for chronic hepatitis C, in combination regimens. This guide covers how it works, what a standard course looks like, and how ShiningRX supplies it to trade buyers and consumers in the USA, UK and Australia.
Key takeaways
- Sofosbuvir is a NS5B polymerase inhibitor antiviral indicated for chronic hepatitis C, in combination regimens.
- Typical dosing: 400 mg once daily with a partner agent for 12 weeks.
- Onset is viral load falls within the first two weeks; effect lasts 24-hour dosing.
- Most reported side effects are fatigue and other mild, self-limiting reactions.
- Store below 30 °C.
Sofosbuvir at a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drug class | NS5B polymerase inhibitor antiviral |
| Common brand | Sovaldi / Hepcvir |
| Licensed use | chronic hepatitis C, in combination regimens |
| Available strengths | 400 mg |
| Dosage form | film-coated tablet |
| Typical onset | viral load falls within the first two weeks |
| Duration / dosing interval | 24-hour dosing |
| Storage | below 30 °C |
How Sofosbuvir works
As a NS5B polymerase inhibitor antiviral, Sofosbuvir acts on the pathway that drives chronic hepatitis C, in combination regimens. The pharmacological effect is dose-related, which is why prescribers begin at the lowest useful strength and adjust on response rather than starting at the maximum. In practice that means 400 mg once daily with a partner agent for 12 weeks
Starting a Sofosbuvir course
- 1
Clinical assessment
Confirm the indication for chronic hepatitis C, in combination regimens, review comorbidities and check the contraindication list before the first dose.
- 2
Initiate at the standard dose
400 mg once daily with a partner agent for 12 weeks
- 3
Review at the first checkpoint
Reassess once the expected onset window of viral load falls within the first two weeks has passed and document tolerability.
- 4
Titrate or switch
If response is partial and tolerance is good, step up within the licensed range; if tolerance is poor, consider Ledipasvir combination.
Safety profile in brief
Commonly reported effects include fatigue, headache, nausea, anaemia with ribavirin. Sofosbuvir should be avoided in amiodarone co-therapy and untreated HBV co-infection. Any severe, persistent or unexpected reaction warrants stopping the medicine and seeking clinical review.