Daclatasvir
About
Daclatasvir is an antiviral medicine used along with sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, to treat chronic hepatitis C viral genotype 1 or 3 infection. It is a serious infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is a contagious infection that spreads from person to person and affects the liver. Daclatasvir is only used in treating the infection. It does not cure or prevent further liver complications.
Daclatasvir contains Daclatasvir, which belongs to the class of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A inhibitors. It works by blocking the activity of the hepatitis C virus in the liver cells. This causes viral DNA termination and reduces the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Daclatasvir may cause certain side effects such as headache, fatigue, weakness, confusion, chest pain, nausea, diarrhoea, shortness of breath, dizziness and lightheadedness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor. Use it as suggested by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the duration of the medicine based on your health condition.
Daclatasvir should be avoided if you are allergic to it. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before starting treatment with this medicine. Daclatasvir is not recommended for children below 18 years of age as efficacy and safety have not been established. Inform your doctor if you have any underlying conditions like hepatitis B virus infection, liver cirrhosis, nephrotoxicity, liver transplant, heart problem, kidney problems, or HIV infection, as it may cause serious side effects. Daclatasvir may cause hepatitis B infection reactivation and bradycardia (slow heart rate) in some patients. Hence, patients should be monitored carefully for any changes.
Uses of Daclatasvir
Medicinal Benefits
Daclatasvir contains Daclatasvir, which belongs to the class of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A inhibitors. It works by blocking the activity of the hepatitis C virus in the liver cells. This causes viral DNA termination and, therefore, reduces the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Daclatasvir
- Headache
- Chest Pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Light-headedness
- Weakness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Daclatasvir should be avoided if you are allergic to it. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before starting treatment with this medicine. Daclatasvir is not recommended for children below 18 years of age as efficacy and safety have not been established. Inform your doctor if you have any underlying conditions like hepatitis B virus infection, liver cirrhosis, nephrotoxicity, liver transplant, heart problem, other kidney problems, or HIV infection, as it may cause serious side effects. Daclatasvir may cause hepatitis B infection reactivation and bradycardia in some patients. Hence, patients should be monitored carefully for any changes.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Daclatasvir may interact with a antifungal drugs (ketoconazole, voriconazole), antibiotics (clarithromycin, telithromycin), cholesterol-lowering medicines (atorvastatin, pitavastatin), narcotic analgesics (buprenorphine, naloxone), antiviral drugs (atazanavir, nelfinavir, indinavir), antiarrhythmic drug (amiodarone), anticoagulant drugs (dabigatran, warfarin), CYP3A inducers (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, rifampin).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have any history of liver or kidney disease or HIV/AIDS infection.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if Daclatasvir interacts with alcohol. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Daclatasvir. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIf you are a nursing mother, inform your doctor before taking Daclatasvir. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
consult your doctorIt is not known if Daclatasvir affects your ability to drive. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are not alert.
Liver
cautionIf you have a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Daclatasvir. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking Daclatasvir. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeDaclatasvir is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age, as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains such as brown rice, oats, quinoa, and barley.
- Include healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, and nuts.
- Drink plenty of water for better processing of food by the body.
- Avoid sugary foods such as cake, cookies, packaged baked food, or soda. Also, avoid heavy salt foods.
- Avoid foods containing saturated fats such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, sour cream, and butter.
- Try to eat low-fat or non-fat dairy products to minimise damage to the liver.
Special Advise
- Close monitoring of liver and kidney function tests is required while on treatment with Daclatasvir to monitor liver and kidney functions.
- Sudden withdrawal of Daclatasvir should be avoided as it can cause severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis or other serious side effects.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hepatitis C Virus Infection: It is a contagious infection caused by the hepatitis C virus affecting the liver. This infection spreads from person to person through blood contact (being pricked with a contaminated needle or using a razor), intimate contact with the infected person, direct contact with infected blood, or contact with any other personal items with leftovers of infected fluid or even from mother to baby during birth. The symptoms may not appear immediately. Some may take between 2 to 12 weeks to appear. Few people may have mild to moderate symptoms such as dark urine, loss of appetite, fever, joint pain, or stomach discomfort. The complications of untreated chronic hepatitis C include liver cancer or liver cirrhosis (scarring).
FAQs
Daclatasvir contains Daclatasvir, which works by blocking the activity of the hepatitis C virus in the liver cells. This causes viral DNA termination and reduces the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Avoid receiving Daclatasvir if you are allergic to it or other medicines of the same class. Also, this medicine should not be used along with CYP3A inducer drugs such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, etc., as it can cause serious adverse effects. Concomitant use of Daclatasvir along with amiodarone should be avoided due to the risk of severe bradycardia (slow heart rate).
