Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) is a brand-name drug prescribed for treating hepatitis C. Epclusa comes as an oral tablet and oral pellets, typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on the form of hepatitis C the drug is prescribed to treat.
Epclusa belongs to a drug class called antivirals. Epclusa is available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Epclusa, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Epclusa, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Epclusa provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Epclusa, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Keep reading for more information on Epclusa dosing.
Epclusa forms
Epclusa is available in two forms: an oral tablet and an oral pellets that can be swallowed or sprinkled onto food.
Epclusa strengths
Epclusa is a combination drug that has two different drugs: sofosbuvir and velpatasvir
Epclusa oral pellet packets come in two strengths:
- sofosbuvir 200 milligrams (mg) and velpatasvir 50 mg
- sofosbuvir 150 mg and velpatasvir 37.5 mg
Epclusa tablets come in two strengths:
- sofosbuvir 200 mg and velpatasvir 50 mg
- sofosbuvir 400 mg and velpatasvir 100 mg
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for hepatitis C
Epclusa is a fixed dosing regimen in adults, meaning two drugs are combined into one dosage form. The dosage of Epclusa for adults with hepatitis C is one 400 mg/100 mg tablet taken once per day.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, your doctor may prescribe Epclusa oral pellets for you. The typical dose of Epclusa oral pellets is two packets of 200 mg/50 mg once per day. By taking two packets, you’ll receive the same total daily dose as the oral tablets.
Children’s dosage
Epclusa is approved to treat children ages 3 years and older. The dosing regimen for children depends on your child’s weight.
| Body weight (kilograms)* | Epclusa oral tablet daily dose | Epclusa oral pellet packets daily dose |
| less than 17 kg | n/a† | 150 mg/37.5 mg once per day |
| 17 kg to less than 30 kg | 200 mg/50 mg once per day | 200 mg/50 mg once per day |
| 30 kg or more | 400 mg/100 mg once per day | two packets of 200 mg/50 mg once per day |
* One kilogram (kg) is equal to about 2.2 pounds (lb). For example, 17 kg is equal to about 37 lb.
† Epclusa oral tablets are not prescribed for children weighing less than 17 kg.
Long-term treatment
Epclusa is meant to be a short-term treatment. Typically, your doctor will prescribe Epclusa for a 12-week course or a 24-week course. How long you take Epclusa can depend on the type of hepatitis C and other conditions you have. Talk with your doctor if you’d like more information on how long you need to take Epclusa.
The Epclusa dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Epclusa to treat
- the form of Epclusa you take
- your weight
- how well some other antiviral medications work for you, such as ribavirin
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Epclusa dosage, such as liver scarring and liver damage. If you have certain stages of liver scarring, your doctor may decide to treat you with Epclusa for 24 weeks instead of the usual 12 weeks.
Epclusa comes as both an oral tablet and oral pellets. Both of these forms are taken by mouth. Your Epclusa dose should be taken exactly as your doctor prescribes. You can take Epclusa oral tablets or oral pellets with or without food.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Epclusa in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
Epclusa works best when taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose of Epclusa, you should take your dose as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next scheduled Epclusa dose, skip your missed dose and continue taking Epclusa on your usual schedule. It is important that you do not take two doses of Epclusa at once as this may increase your risk for serious side effects.
It may be helpful to take your Epclusa dose at the same time every day.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
If you use more Epclusa than your doctor prescribes, you may develop harmful effects.
It’s important that you do not use more Epclusa than your doctor advises.
Symptoms of an overdose
Overdose symptoms of Epclusa can include:
- headache
- nausea
- fatigue
- muscle weakness
It’s important that you do not use more Epclusa than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose. There is no antidote available for Epclusa in the event of an overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Epclusa
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Epclusa. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Epclusa for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Typically, you’ll be taking Epclusa once daily for conditions related to hepatitis C. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Epclusa without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Epclusa that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want more information about Epclusa. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Epclusa. For information about other aspects of Epclusa, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Epclusa, see this article. You can also look at the Epclusa prescribing information.
- Drug comparison. To find out how Epclusa compares with Harvoni, read this article. For more information on how Epclusa compares with Mavyret, see this article.
- Cost. If you’d like to learn about Epclusa and cost, see this article.
- Interactions. For details about what Epclusa interacts with, see this article.
- Details about hepatitis C. For details about Epclusa for hepatitis C, see this article.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.
