Hepcdac

Hepcdac 60 mg (Daclatasvir) is an anti-viral agent indicated for patients with different variants of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. Hepatitis C is caused by a single-stranded (ss) RNA virus which is categorized in 9 distinct genotypes. Hepcdac 60 mg (Daclatasvir) is used for patients with chronic HCV infection caused by genotype 3 in adults.

Hepcdac 60 mg (Daclatasvir) is given along with other antiviral medications (sofosbuvir) used for HCV infection. Based on the American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2017, combining daclatasvir with other anti-HCV agents helps in difficult-to-treat patients including,

• Recurring HCV infection after liver transplant
• HIV-1 infection along with HCV infection

Daclatasvir is known for inhibiting and stopping the activities of the polymerase enzyme. These actions, in turn, reduces the viral load by making the process of multiplication (RNA replication and assembly) tougher for the HCV.

Administration of Hepcdac 60 mg (Daclatasvir):

Hepcdac 60 mg (Daclatasvir) is given orally in a form of 60 mg dose once daily with or without food. Hepcdac 60 mg (Daclatasvir) is taken along with sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. Once swallowed, daclatasvir absorbs (bio-available) within 2 hours of administration. It has a high binding affinity (99%) to HCV cells and gets metabolized in the liver via different types of proteins. Finally, more than 50% of daclatasvir gets eliminated from the body in between 12 to 15 hours.

The duration and frequency of dosage can be changed based on the initial experience of the patients. It is mostly dependent on the doctor’s judgement. Based on the interactions with other drugs, the dose may be reduced to 30 mg or increased to 90 mg based on the requirements.

When should Hepcdac 60 mg (Daclatasvir) be avoided or used cautiously?

• If patients had Hepatitis B viral infection in prior testing
• If patients are found with resistant-type (mutated virus) HCV in prior testing
• If patients had a liver transplant before the initiation of dosage
• If patients are suffering from heart problems
• If patients have complications in the liver other than HCV infection
• If patients are pregnant and planning to breastfeed
• If patients were taking other drugs before or during the daclatasvir administration. Interactions with these drugs could cost the efficacy of daclatasvir, unnecessary modifications in dosage, and a higher rate of side-effects

Side-effects of Hepcdac 60 mg (Daclatasvir):

Serious side-effects:

• Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

Side-effects in combination with sofosbuvir:

• Tiredness (Fatigue)
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Uncommon side-effects: 

• Low count of red blood cells (RBCs) (Anemia)
• Difficulty in sleeping (Insomnia)
• Vomiting
• Severe rashes on the skin
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Weakness
• Dizziness

Note: These are not all possible side-effects of Hepcdac 60 mg (Daclatasvir), please ask your doctor for more information regarding the same.