Olysio (simeprevir) is an antiviral medication that prevents certain virus cells from multiplying in your body. Olysio is used in combination with peginterferon alfa (Pegasys, PegIntron) and ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol, Ribasphere, RibaTab), or with sofosbuvir (Sovaldi)to treat hepatitis C in adults.
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. Every person with hepatitis C should remain under the care of a doctor.
Olysio may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Olysio is used in combination with other medications called peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.
Read the Olysio 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.
Ribavirin can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby. Do not use Olysio with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your female sexual partner is pregnant.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Olysio if you are allergic to simeprevir.
Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using Olysio.
To make sure Olysio is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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liver problems other than hepatitis, or if you have had a liver transplant;
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kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
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an allergy to sulfa drugs;
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a hemoglobin blood cell disorder such as sickle-cell anemia or thalassemia;
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if you also take didanosine;
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if you are East Asian descent;
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if you are receiving phototherapy (light therapy); or
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if you have taken Olysio, boceprevir (Victrelis) or telaprevir (Incivek) in the past and they were not effective.
Olysio is sometimes used in combination with ribavirin. Ribavirin can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before using these medications together, and every month during your treatment.
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If you are a woman, do not use ribavirin if you are pregnant.
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If you are a man, do not use ribavirin if your sexual partner is pregnant. An unborn baby could also be harmed if a man fathers the child while he is taking ribavirin.
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Use at least 2 effective forms of birth control while either sexual partner is using ribavirin. Keep using 2 forms of birth control for at least 6 months after treatment ends. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Olysio with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.
It is not known whether simeprevir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How should I take Olysio?
Take Olysio exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take Olysio in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not take Olysio as your only medication to treat hepatitis C. Olysio must be used in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin. Your disease may become resistant if you do not take it in combination with other medicines your doctor has prescribed.
Take with food.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an Olysio capsule. Swallow it whole.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you are more than 12 hours late, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid?
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Olysio combination treatment can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, especially during the first 4 weeks of treatment. This may cause a severe sunburn or skin rash. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Avoid taking an herbal supplement containing St. John"s Wort at the same time you are taking simeprevir.
Olysio side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Olysio: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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severe skin rash (redness, swelling, burning, blistering);
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eye redness or puffiness;
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mouth sores; or
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shortness of breath.
Common Olysio side effects may include:
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mild itching or rash;
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nausea; or
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muscle pain.
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.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Olysio?
Many drugs can interact with simeprevir combination treatment. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using during treatment with Olysio, especially:
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an antibiotic medicine, including medicine to treat tuberculosis;
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antifungal medication;
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heart or blood pressure medicine;
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HIV or AIDS medications;
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seizure medication; or
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"statin" medication to treat high cholesterol.
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with simeprevir. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.
