Patient information How to contact us Hepatology Gastroenterology Department/Endoscopy Unit Watford General Hospital West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0HB If you need this leaflet in another language, large print, Braille or audio version, please call 01923 217 187 or email pals@whht.nhs.uk Author Hepatology Department Department Hepatology Department Ratified Date / Review Date November 2017/ November 2020 ID Number 00286_11-17v01 Version Number V01
This leaflet is designed to highlight the most important things you need to know about your new medicine. It is not intended to replace the patient information leaflet (PIL) that comes with the medicine, but is designed to be read in conjunction with it. If you have any questions about ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. What is? (brand name Daklinza) is used to treat hepatitis C virus. This medicine works by lowering the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body and removing the virus from the blood over a period of time. is always taken with other anti-viral medicines. It will not work effectively on its own. How should I take? The recommended dose is one tablet once a day of 60 mg. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not chew or crush the tablet as it has an unpleasant taste. You may also be asked to take Sofosbuvir tablets and/or Ribavirin your doctor/nurse/pharmacist will advise you about this and how to take it. If you are sick (vomit) after taking it may affect the amount of in your blood. This may make work less well. If you are sick (vomit) less than 2 hours after taking, take another tablet. If you are sick (vomit) more than 2 hours after taking it, WAIT until your next scheduled tablet Do I have to take with or after food? can be taken with or without a meal. What are the common side effects with?, like all other medicines, has some side effects. Most of these are minor and will settle within a few days or weeks. Stomach side effects: Feeling sick (nausea), diarrhoea. Head side effects: Tiredness, headache. 2
If you experience any side effects, and either they are troubling you or you develop any new symptoms after you start, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist who will tell you what to do. If you have a question about or any of your medicines, speak to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. Contact: Georgiana Palmes- Hepatology CNS georgiana.palmes@nhs.net OR Lisa Norman- Hepatology Service Administrator (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) Tel: 01923 436 543 Ext: 8543 What medicines should I avoid with? It is always important to make your doctor and pharmacist aware of any medicines you take to ensure that they are compatible with. Some common drugs which need to be chosen carefully are: Medicine Carbamazepine Phenytoin Phenobarbital Oxcarbazepine Rifampicin or rifabitun St John s wort for depression Dexamethasone HIV and other anti-viral medication Contraceptives (birth control) Why do your doctor & pharmacist need to know about this? The dose of may need to be adjusted if you take some medication used to treat viral infection including HIV Some oral contraceptives interact with therefore tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking birth control. What if I Get a headache or just need a pain killer? Paracetamol can be taken with. Ibuprofen can also be taken unless your doctor has advised you to avoid NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for any reason. Get hayfever or have other allergies? The antihistamine loratidine can be taken with. If your allergy is related to (such as a rash) or any other medicines, speak to your doctor/nurse or pharmacist before taking any medicines. You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using any nasal sprays or getting any injections, to check for possible interactions with and any other medicines you are taking.
Get diarrhoea? For short-term diarrhoea relief, you can use loperamide. Remember to drink plenty of fluids. If you get a lot of diarrhoea and it lasts more than a few days, contact your nurse/doctor to ask for advice. Get heartburn, reflux, and indigestion? Antacids and over-the-counter heart burn remedies may be taken with. Am prescribed or take something for my mood, such as antidepressant or St John s wort? Check with your clinic doctor/nurse or pharmacist before taking these. St John s wort can reduce the levels of within your body, meaning they may be less effective at suppressing the virus. Currently take, or would like to take, supplements, including calcium or iron? Most supplements can be taken with, but always check with your doctor/nurse or pharmacist before taking them. If you forget to take It is important not to miss a dose of this medicine. If you do miss a dose: -and you notice within 20 hours of the time you usually take ; you must take the tablet as soon as possible. Then take the next dose at your usual time. -and you notice more than 20 hours after the time you usually take, wait and take the next dose at your usual time. Do not take a double dose (two doses close together).
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