If you have chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C, your doctor may prescribe Vosevi for you. It’s a prescription drug used in certain adults with mild to no liver damage to treat the infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). To learn more about the drug’s use for this condition, see “Is Vosevi used to treat chronic hepatitis C?” below.

Vosevi basics

Vosevi comes as a tablet that you swallow. It contains three antiviral drugs that help treat HCV infection: sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir. Vosevi only comes in a brand-name form. It’s not available as a generic.

Read on to learn more about Vosevi’s uses, side effects, and more.

Like most drugs, Vosevi may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects the drug may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Vosevi. They can also suggest ways to help reduce them.

Mild side effects

Below is a short list of some of the mild side effects that Vosevi can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported from taking Vosevi include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Vosevi can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Vosevi that have been reported include:

* For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking Vosevi?” section.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section just below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Vosevi. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

While allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of Vosevi, it can still happen. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Vosevi. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Vosevi.

Does hepatitis C last forever, or can Vosevi cure it?

No, hepatitis C doesn’t last forever, unless it’s left untreated. Treatments for chronic (long-term) hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cure this infection.

Your doctor will check the level of HCV virus in your blood. If your blood tests don’t detect the virus 3 months after you’ve completed your treatment, you’re considered cured. A small percentage of people may have a relapse of hepatitis C. For this reason, your doctor will check your blood for HCV 6 to 12 months after you’ve completed your treatment.

Are Vosevi and ribavirin used together to treat hepatitis C?

No. Vosevi and ribavirin (Rebetol) aren’t used together to treat hepatitis C. (Ribavirin is another antiviral drug used to treat chronic HCV infection.) Other drugs used to treat hepatitis C may be prescribed with Ribavirin, though.

If you’d like to learn more about ribavirin and how it’s used for hepatitis C, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What’s Vosevi’s mechanism of action (how does it work)?

Vosevi contains three active ingredients: sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir. Each is a different kind of antiviral, and each works in a different way to stop HCV from making copies of itself.

For more details on how Vosevi works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I know about Vosevi vs. Harvoni?

Vosevi and Harvoni are both combination drugs used to treat chronic hepatitis C. They both contain sofosbuvir. Harvoni contains another antiviral called ledipasvir. And Vosevi contains two other antivirals, velpatasvir and voxilaprevir.

While Vosevi is used to treat all six genotypes (strains) of hepatitis C, Harvoni is used to treat four genotypes.

Doctors prescribe Harvoni for adults and some children. But Vosevi is only used to treat hepatitis C in adults.

To learn more about how Vosevi and Harvoni compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Vosevi that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form

Vosevi comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Recommended dosage

You’ll take Vosevi once daily with food for 12 weeks.

Questions about Vosevi’s dosage

Below are some common questions about Vosevi’s dosage.

  • What if I miss a dose of Vosevi? If you forget your dose of Vosevi, take it as soon as you remember. But if you’re close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the scheduled time. If you’re not sure if or when you should take a dose after missing one, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. It’s important to take Vosevi every day. Missing doses can make the drug less effective in curing your hepatitis C. Do not take two tablets if you miss a dose of Vosevi, as this can increase your risk of side effects.
  • Will I need to use Vosevi long term? No, you won’t need to use Vosevi long term. The treatment duration for Vosevi is 12 weeks. While infection with a hepatitis C virus (HCV) is long-lasting, taking Vosevi for 12 weeks will lower the level of the virus in your blood to an amount a doctor can’t detect on a blood test.
  • How long does Vosevi take to work? Vosevi starts to work quickly to lower the level of HCV in your blood. But your doctor may only see the full benefits after 12 weeks.

Yes, Vosevi is used to treat chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes liver disease. This virus has several different strains, which are called genotypes. Doctors prescribe Vosevi to treat adults with all genotypes of chronic HCV infection and who have mild to no liver damage. Before starting Vosevi, you must have tried other treatments for HCV infection in the past.

Vosevi helps stop HCV from making copies of itself. This lowers the amount of the virus in your body to a level your doctor can’t detect on a blood test. At this point, you are considered cured of your infection.

Below is a general overview of how Vosevi is taken, but your doctor will explain how you should take it. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Taking Vosevi

You’ll take one tablet of Vosevi by mouth once daily with food.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put Vosevi in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist can also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Taking Vosevi with other drugs

To treat hepatitis C, you’ll only need to take Vosevi, which contains three antiviral drugs. If you’re taking certain other drugs, your risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is higher. These include:

Talk with your doctor about any other medications you take before starting Vosevi.

Questions about taking Vosevi

Below are some common questions about taking Vosevi.

  • Can Vosevi be chewed, crushed, or split? There’s no information on whether you can chew, crush, or split Vosevi tablets, so it’s best to swallow them whole. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Or check out this article with helpful tips.
  • Should I take Vosevi with food? Yes, you should take Vosevi with food as this helps your body absorb the drug.
  • Is there a best time of day to take Vosevi? There isn’t a best time of the day to take Vosevi. But taking it on a regular schedule helps it to work effectively by keeping a steady level of the drug in your body.
Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Vosevi and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor. Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Vosevi affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

The hepatitis c virus (HCV) has several different strains, which are called genotypes. Vosevi and Epclusa are two antiviral drugs used to treat all genotypes of chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C. Both drugs contain the active ingredient sofosbuvir. Vosevi contains two other drugs, velpatasvir and voxilaprevir. Epclusa contains one other drug, velpatasvir.

Doctors prescribe Epclusa for adults and some children, while Vosevi is only used in adults.

Like Vosevi, Epclusa can reactivate the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in people who have already contracted HBV. (For more information, see the boxed warning in the “What should be considered before taking Vosevi?” section below.)

Epclusa can be used whether or not you’ve tried past treatment for your hepatitis C. Vosevi is only used in people whose hepatitis C has been treated with certain medications in the past.

To learn more about how Vosevi and Epclusa compare, see this article.

Vosevi and Mavyret are two antivirals used to treat chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C. Each drug contains different active ingredients. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Mavyret treats specific kinds of hepatitis C infection in adults and some children with mild to no liver damage who haven’t tried other hepatitis C treatments before. It’s also used in some people who’ve had certain hepatitis C treatments in the past.

Doctors will only prescribe Vosevi for chronic hepatitis C in adults with mild to no liver damage. And the person must have also tried certain antiviral treatments for hepatitis C in the past.

To find out which treatment is best for you, talk with your doctor. To learn more about Vosevi and Mavyret, check out this comparison.

Below is information on various factors to consider before starting Vosevi treatment.

Interactions

Taking a drug with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Vosevi, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Vosevi.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Vosevi can interact with several kinds of drugs. These include:

This list does not contain all kinds of drugs that may interact with Vosevi. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with use of this drug.

For information about how this drug can interact with certain other conditions you may have, see “Other warnings” below.

Other interactions

Vosevi interacts with the herbal remedy St. John’s wort. Combining the two may lower the amount of Vosevi in your blood which can decrease its effectiveness.

Boxed warning

Vosevi has a boxed warning for hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Taking Vosevi can reactivate HBV in people who have had this infection in the past. Hepatitis B is a type of virus that can cause a life threatening liver infection. When HBV infection becomes chronic (long-lasting), you don’t have symptoms, but the virus is still in your body. Vosevi can trigger the reactivation of HBV, causing your infection and symptoms to return. Before taking Vosevi, your doctor will order a blood test to check for HBV. They’ll also monitor you for HBV infection during your treatment with Vosevi.

If your doctor detects HBV in your blood, you’ll need to start treatment for the HBV infection.

Other warnings

Vosevi may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. (This is known as a drug-condition interaction.) Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before taking Vosevi. Factors to consider include those shown below.

  • Liver disease. If you have liver disease, Vosevi may not be right for you. In studies of the drug, people with cirrhosis (liver scarring) and moderate to severe liver failure had worsened liver function with Vosevi. Your doctor will closely monitor your symptoms and blood work for worsened liver function. If you develop jaundice (yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes) with Vosevi, be sure to tell your doctor. If your liver function worsens, your doctor may have you stop taking the drug. But do not stop Vosevi without talking with your doctor first. This can make your hepatitis C worse.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Vosevi or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better treatment options.

Vosevi and alcohol

Some medications interact with alcohol, but Vosevi isn’t one of them.

Before starting Vosevi, ask your doctor or pharmacist how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to drink.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Hepatitis C is a dangerous condition for a pregnant person. And the infection can be passed from mother to child during delivery. Hepatitis C treatment is important during pregnancy to prevent pregnancy complications and transmission to the child.

Researchers don’t have enough evidence to confirm if Vosevi is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or considering pregnancy, talk with your doctor before starting this drug. They can help you find the best treatment for your condition.

It’s also not known if Vosevi is safe to take while breastfeeding. Doctors are unsure if the drug passes through breastmilk or if it lowers breastmilk production. Talk with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding while taking Vosevi. They can help you decide if the risks to your child outweigh the benefits of treatment.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A program called Vosevi Support Path or a copay coupon may also be available for Vosevi.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Do not take more Vosevi than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects. If you take too much Vosevi, your doctor will monitor you for signs of toxicity.

What to do in case you take too much Vosevi

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Vosevi. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have questions about taking Vosevi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor can also tell you about other treatment options for your condition. Some questions you may want to ask include:

For an overview of treatment options for hepatis C, check out this article.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Vosevi Images