From the Guidelines
There are no known significant drug interactions between sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (VELASOF/SOVIHEP V) and pancreatin or sodium tauroglycocholate, and they can generally be taken together without dose adjustments. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir is a direct-acting antiviral combination used to treat hepatitis C, while pancreatin is a digestive enzyme supplement and sodium tauroglycocholate is a bile acid that aids in digestion. The medications work through different mechanisms and metabolic pathways, reducing the likelihood of interactions, as noted in the EASL recommendations on treatment of hepatitis C 1.
Some key points to consider when taking these medications together include:
- Taking sofosbuvir/velpatasvir with food to optimize absorption, as its solubility and absorption may be affected by certain conditions, such as increased pH 1.
- Pancreatin should be taken with meals to aid in digestion.
- If you're concerned about timing, consider taking sofosbuvir/velpatasvir with a meal and the digestive supplements during the same meal.
- Monitoring for any unusual side effects and informing your healthcare provider about all medications you're taking, including supplements, to ensure comprehensive medication management.
It's also important to note that sofosbuvir/velpatasvir can increase the exposure of co-medications that are substrates for P-gp and/or BCRP, but pancreatin and sodium tauroglycocholate are not known to be significantly affected by these mechanisms 1. As with any medication regimen, it's crucial to be aware of potential interactions and to consult with a healthcare provider if there are any concerns.
From the Research
Drug Interaction Information
- There is no direct information available in the provided studies regarding the drug interaction between VELASOF/SOVIHEP V and pancreatine and sodium tauroglycocholate 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies primarily focus on the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir combination in treating Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in various patient populations, including those with chronic kidney disease, compensated cirrhosis, and decompensated cirrhosis.
- None of the studies mention pancreatine and sodium tauroglycocholate as interacting drugs with sofosbuvir and velpatasvir.
Study Overview
- The studies included in the analysis are:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional study published in Cureus in 2024, which assessed the efficacy of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir combination in treating chronic HCV in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients 2.
- A phase 3 trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2017, which evaluated the efficacy of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir in previously treated HCV infection 3.
- A review article published in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy in 2017, which discussed the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir in treating HCV infection 4.
- A review article published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy in 2017, which reviewed the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, interaction potential, efficacy, and safety of sofosbuvir-velpatasvir 5.
- A nationwide multicenter study published in the Journal of Medical Virology in 2021, which assessed the real-world clinical outcomes of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir treatment in HCV genotype 1- and 2-infected patients with decompensated cirrhosis 6.
Limitations
- The provided studies do not investigate the drug interaction between VELASOF/SOVIHEP V and pancreatine and sodium tauroglycocholate.
- Therefore, there is no conclusive evidence to determine the safety and efficacy of concomitant use of these drugs.