Indications
Buviren is a hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection as a component of a combination antiviral treatment regimen. Its efficacy has been established in patients with HCV genotype 1, 2, 3 or 4 infection, including those with hepatocellular carcinoma meeting Milan criteria who are awaiting liver transplantation, as well as those with HCV/HIV-1 co-infection. A few points should be kept in mind when starting treatment with Buviren. It should not be used as monotherapy for CHC, since it is only meant to be given as part of a combination regimen. The specific treatment regimen and its duration depend on both the viral genotype and the patient population being treated. Treatment response can also vary depending on baseline host and viral factors.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Sofosbuvir is a nucleotide analog inhibitor that specifically blocks the HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, an enzyme the hepatitis C virus needs to copy its genetic material. Once inside cells, sofosbuvir is metabolized into its active form, a uridine analog triphosphate (GS-461203). This active form is then incorporated into the growing HCV RNA chain by the NS5B polymerase, where it acts as a chain terminator, stopping further RNA synthesis. More specifically, sofosbuvir binds to the two Mg2+ ions located in the GDD active site motif of the NS5B polymerase, and by doing so, it blocks the enzyme's activity and prevents the virus from replicating further.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
During pregnancy (Category B), there are no adequate and well-controlled studies of sofosbuvir in pregnant women. For nursing mothers, it is not known whether sofosbuvir and its metabolites pass into human breast milk.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage Reference
⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.
Side Effects & Interactions
Side Effects
No side-effect data recorded yet.