Velpanat is a prescription combination antiviral medication used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults. It contains a fixed-dose combination of two direct-acting antivirals (DAAs): Sofosbuvir (400 mg) and Velpatasvir (100 mg).
How it Works
The two active ingredients work together to clear the virus from the body:
Sofosbuvir prevents the hepatitis C virus from multiplying by blocking a specific protein (RNA polymerase) necessary for its replication.
Velpatasvir targets another essential viral protein (NS5A), disrupting both the replication and assembly of new viral particles.
This combination is pangenotypic, meaning it is highly effective across all major genetic variations (genotypes 1 through 6) of the hepatitis C virus.
Standard Usage and Administration
Dosage: The standard adult dosage is typically one tablet taken once daily.
Food: It can be taken with or without food, but it should ideally be taken at the same time every day to maintain steady drug levels in the blood.
Duration: A standard treatment course usually lasts 12 to 24 weeks, depending on the patients liver health (presence or absence of cirrhosis) and whether they have tried other hepatitis C treatments in the past.
Consistency: It is absolutely critical to complete the full course of therapy exactly as prescribed by a physician, even if symptoms improve quickly. Stopping early increases the risk of the virus becoming resistant to the medication.