Zepatier (elbasvir/grazoprevir) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed to treat certain types of chronic hepatitis C in adults and some children. Zepatier comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken once per day.
Zepatier is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic hepatitis C caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1 or 4. This drug is used in adults and children who are 12 years and older or who weigh a certain amount.
Zepatier belongs to a drug class called direct-acting antivirals. Zepatier is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Zepatier, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Zepatier, see this article.
Note: This article describes the typical dosage of Zepatier provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Zepatier, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
The information below describes Zepatier’s typical dosage and other details about the drug.
Zepatier form
Zepatier comes as an oral tablet.
Zepatier strength
Zepatier contains a combination of two drugs in each tablet. It comes in one strength: 50 milligrams (mg) of elbasvir and 100 mg of grazoprevir.
Typical dosage
The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly prescribed 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 Zepatier to treat chronic hepatitis C (type 1 or 4). In some cases, Zepatier is taken with ribavirin, another drug used to treat hepatitis C. Your doctor will decide whether you should take Zepatier alone or along with ribavirin.
The recommended dosage of Zepatier is one tablet taken once per day.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Zepatier is FDA-approved to treat chronic hepatitis C (type 1 or 4) in children ages 12 years and older. It’s also approved for this use in children of any age who weigh at least 30 kilograms (kg), which is about 66 pounds (lb).
The recommended dosage for children is one tablet taken once per day.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Zepatier is taken short term for certain types of HCV infections. Doctors typically prescribe Zepatier for 12 or 16 weeks. However, the length of treatment depends on several factors.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Zepatier.
Zepatier comes as a tablet that you swallow, with or without food.
It may be helpful to take Zepatier around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Zepatier can work effectively.
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. Note that the drug’s prescribing information doesn’t state whether Zepatier tablets can be cut or crushed.
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 Zepatier in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Zepatier, take it as soon as you remember. 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 could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not take more Zepatier 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 Zepatier
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Zepatier. 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 Zepatier and dosage.
Is the dosage of Zepatier similar to the dosage of Harvoni?
Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Zepatier and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (Harvoni) are both oral tablets taken once per day to treat certain types of hepatitis C. Harvoni also comes as oral pellets that may be used in people with difficulty swallowing tablets.
The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. 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 Zepatier to start working?
Zepatier 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 hepatitis C.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Zepatier treatment.
The dosage in this article is the typical dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Zepatier for you, they’ll 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 Zepatier without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Zepatier that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Zepatier. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Zepatier: For information about other aspects of Zepatier, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Zepatier, see this article. You can also look at the Zepatier prescribing information.
- Details about hepatitis C: For details about hepatitis C, see this article and articles on infectious diseases, bacteria, and viruses.
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.