Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir is a combination medicine used to treat chronic hepatitis C in adults and children who are at least 3 years old. Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir is sometimes given in combination with another medicine called ribavirin.

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir treats specific genotypes of hepatitis C, and only in certain people. Use only the medications prescribed for you. Do not share your medicine with other people.

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir is sometimes used in people who also have HIV. ledipasvir and sofosbuvir is not a treatment for HIV or AIDS.

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

If you've ever had hepatitis B, it may become active or get worse while using or after you stop using ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. You may need frequent liver function tests for several months.

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir is sometimes used in combination with other medication. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication in your combination therapy. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

The combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir comes as a tablet and pellets to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once daily. Take ledipasvir and sofosbuvir at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ledipasvir and sofosbuvir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir pellets can be swallowed (without chewing) or they can be taken with food. To prepare a dose of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir pellets with food, sprinkle the entire packet of pellets on one or more spoonfuls of cold or room temperature non-acidic soft food such as pudding, chocolate syrup, mashed potato, or ice cream. Take the entire mixture within 30 minutes of sprinkling the pellets on food. To avoid a bitter aftertaste, do not chew the pellets.

Continue to take ledipasvir and sofosbuvir even if you feel well. The length of your treatment (8 to 24 weeks) depends on your condition, how well you respond to the medication, and whether you experience severe side effects. Do not stop taking ledipasvir and sofosbuvir without talking to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take ledipasvir and sofosbuvir with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Do not chew the oral pellets. To take with food, you may mix the pellets with a non-acidic soft food (pudding, chocolate syrup, mashed potato, ice cream) that is at room temperature or below. Swallow the mixture without chewing, no more than 30 minutes after mixing. Do not save the mixture for later use.

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir doses are based on weight (especially in children and teenagers). Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight.

You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

If you've ever had hepatitis B, this virus may become active or get worse while you are using this medicine or in the months after you stop. You may need liver function tests for several months after your last dose.

You should not stop using ledipasvir and sofosbuvir suddenly. Stopping suddenly could make your condition harder to treat with hepatitis C antiviral medicine.

Use all medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with chronic hepatitis C should remain under the care of a doctor.

Store this medicine in the original container at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not open the packet of oral pellets until you are ready to use the medicine.

You should not use ledipasvir and sofosbuvir if you are allergic to ledipasvir or sofosbuvir. If you take ledipasvir and sofosbuvir with ribavirin: There may be other reasons you should not take this combination treatment. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• hepatitis B (you may be tested for this before you take sofosbuvir);

• liver problems other than hepatitis (including a liver transplant);

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• HIV or AIDS;

• a heart rhythm problem for which you take a medicine called amiodarone; or

• if you use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven) and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests.

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir is sometimes used in combination with ribavirin. Both men and women using ribavirin should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Ribavirin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or father is using the medicine.

While taking ledipasvir and sofosbuvir with ribavirin, use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, whether you are a man or a woman.

Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose of ribavirin. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using ribavirin.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir is not approved for use by anyone younger than 3 years old.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Do not use if the seal over bottle opening is broken or missing. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Ask your doctor before using an antacid or stomach acid reducing medicine. Use only the type and amount your doctor recommends.

Using ledipasvir and sofosbuvir will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent hepatitis C transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have new or worsening symptoms such as:

• right-sided upper stomach pain;

• vomiting, loss of appetite; or

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), and not feeling well.

If you take ledipasvir and sofosbuvir and you also take a heart rhythm medicine called amiodarone: This combination of medicines can cause dangerous side effects on your heart. Get medical help right away if you take these medicines and you have:

• very slow heartbeats, chest pain, shortness of breath;

• confusion, memory problems; or

• weakness, extreme tiredness, light-headed feeling (like you might pass out).

Common side effects of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir may include:

• weakness;

• headache; or

• tired feeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

When you start or stop taking ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, your doctor may need to adjust the doses of any other medicines you take on a regular basis.

If you also take an antacid: Wait at least 4 hours after taking the antacid before you take ledipasvir and sofosbuvir.

If you also take a stomach acid reducer: You may need to wait 12 hours after taking the stomach acid medicine before you take ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. This includes cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine, Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac, and others.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking certain other stomach acid reducers such as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, and others.

Many drugs can affect ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.