Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for hepatitis C in adults and some children. Sovaldi comes as oral tablets and oral pellets that are typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on your age and body weight.
Sovaldi is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following:
- Chronic hepatitis C in adults with genotype 1, 2, 3, or 4 without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. For adults, Sovaldi is used in combination with other antiviral treatments.
- Chronic hepatitis C in children 3 years of age and older with genotype 2 or 3 without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. For children, Sovaldi is typically used in combination with the drug ribavirin.
Sovaldi belongs to a drug class called nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitors. Sovaldi is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Sovaldi, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Sovaldi, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Sovaldi provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Sovaldi, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
The information below describes Sovaldi’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.
Sovaldi forms
Sovaldi comes in two dosage forms: an oral tablet and oral pellets, which you can sprinkle on certain types of food.
Sovaldi strengths
Sovaldi oral tablets come in two strengths per packet: 200 milligrams (mg) and 400 mg.
Sovaldi oral pellets come in two strengths per packet: 150 mg and 200 mg.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended in adults. 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 chronic hepatitis C
Doctors may prescribe Sovaldi to treat chronic hepatitis C. Sovaldi is typically taken with ribavirin, peginterferon alfa, or both.
If your doctor prescribes Sovaldi for hepatitis C, your starting dose and maintenance dose will likely be 400 mg once daily. This is the typical and the maximum recommended dosage of Sovaldi.
The information below shows the typical dosage schedule, including treatment duration and other medications you may be prescribed. Your doctor will prescribe a dosage plan based on your hepatitis C genotype and other factors.
| Hepatitis C genotype | Dosage | Duration |
| 1 or 4* | Sovaldi 400 mg and peginterferon alfa and ribavirin | 12 weeks |
| 2† | Sovaldi 400 mg and ribavirin | 12 weeks |
| 3† | Sovaldi 400 mg and ribavirin | 24 weeks |
* For people without previous hepatitis C treatment who are without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis.
† For people with or without previous hepatitis C treatment who are without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Sovaldi is approved to treat chronic hepatitis C in children ages 3 years and older who have genotype 2 or 3. In children, Sovaldi is typically taken with the drug ribavirin.
The dosage is based on the child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). The dosage of Sovaldi is weight-based and is calculated by a doctor.
The information below shows the typical dosage schedule, including other medications your child may be prescribed and for how long they’ll be on treatment. Your child’s doctor will choose a maintenance dose regimen that suits your child’s needs.
- If your child has genotype 2 hepatitis C, they’ll likely take Sovaldi and ribavirin for 12 weeks.
- If your child has genotype 3 hepatitis C, they’ll likely take Sovaldi and ribavirin for 24 weeks.
Sovaldi is used in children with or without previous hepatitis C treatment who are without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis.
The table below lists the typical dosing schedule for children taking Sovaldi. Note that a child would take either the oral tablets or the oral pellets (not both).
| Body weight (kg) | Body weight (lbs) | Dosage of Sovaldi oral tablets | Dosage of Sovaldi oral pellets |
| at least 35 kg | at least 77 lb | one 400-mg tablet once daily OR two 200-mg tablets once daily | two 200-mg packets of pellets once daily |
| 17 kg to less than 35 kg | 37 lb to less than 77 lb | one 200-mg tablet once daily | one 200-mg packet of pellets once daily |
| less than 17 kg | less than 37 lb | N/A | one 150-mg packet of pellets once daily |
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Sovaldi is meant to be used as a short-term treatment for hepatitis C. Typically, doctors prescribe Sovaldi for 12 weeks or 24 weeks, depending on the hepatitis C genotype you have. In some cases, such as with a liver transplant, your doctor may prescribe Sovaldi for up to 48 weeks.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Sovaldi.
The Sovaldi dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- your body weight
- your hepatitis C genotype
- whether or not you’ve had previous treatment for hepatitis C
Sovaldi comes as an oral tablet or as oral pellets. Here are tips for taking Sovaldi:
- For both tablets and pellets:
- Swallow your Sovaldi dose whole.
- You may take your dose with or without food.
- It may be helpful to take Sovaldi around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Sovaldi can work effectively.
- For tablets only:
- 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.
- For pellets only:
- Only open the packet of oral pellets if you’re about to take your dose. If you decide to take the pellets with food, it’s recommended you use foods that do not contain acid. Examples of foods that do not contain acid include pudding, chocolate syrup, mashed potatoes, and ice cream.
- Do not chew the oral pellets. They can cause a bitter taste in your mouth.
If you have questions about how to take Sovaldi, 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 Sovaldi in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
It’s important that you avoid missing a dose of Sovaldi. Missing doses lowers the amount of medication in your body and raises the risk of Sovaldi not working properly.
If you miss a dose of Sovaldi and you remember on the same day, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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 can also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you don’t take more Sovaldi than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Sovaldi
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Sovaldi. 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.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Sovaldi.
Is the dosage of Sovaldi similar to the dosage of Epclusa?
Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir) both come as oral tablets and pellets and are taken once daily.
The total dose in milligrams for each drug differs. This is because Sovaldi contains a single drug (sofosbuvir) and Epclusa contains two drugs (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir).
Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Sovaldi to start working?
Sovaldi starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Sovaldi treatment.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Sovaldi for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Sovaldi without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Sovaldi that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Sovaldi. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Sovaldi: For information about other aspects of Sovaldi, refer to this article.
- Details on other drugs for hepatitis C: To learn about other drugs used to treat hepatitis C, explore this page or 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.