Generic Sovaldi (Sofosbuvir)

Sofosbuvir is the active ingredient in Sovaldi®, a direct-acting antiviral used as part of treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Generic sofosbuvir contains the same active ingredient at the same strength and is produced by licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers, typically at a tiny fraction of the originator price. Used as prescribed by a licensed medical professional.

Sovaldi® is the originator brand for sofosbuvir, developed by Gilead Sciences. It is prescribed, in combination with other antivirals, as part of a defined course for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. It is a prescription-only medicine used under medical supervision. (For the sofosbuvir/ledipasvir combination, see our generic Harvoni page.)

Sofosbuvir is a direct-acting antiviral that blocks the NS5B protein the hepatitis C virus needs to copy itself. Taken as a course alongside other antivirals chosen for your HCV genotype, it is used as part of a treatment plan determined by your doctor.

Sofosbuvir is prescribed for adults (and certain adolescents) with chronic hepatitis C of relevant genotypes, in combination with other antivirals, as determined by a doctor based on testing and overall health.

Sofosbuvir is usually taken as one 400 mg tablet once daily, with or without food, in combination with other antivirals for the full course your doctor prescribes (commonly 12 weeks). Completing the entire course is important even if you feel well. Some interacting medicines need to be avoided, as your doctor will explain.

Never change your dose on your own.

Reported side effects when sofosbuvir is used with other antivirals are generally mild and may include tiredness and headache. If you also take amiodarone for heart rhythm, serious slowing of the heart has been reported, so tell your doctor about every medicine you take. This is not a complete list.

Report new or worsening symptoms to your doctor promptly. This is not a complete list — see the patient information leaflet.

Store as directed on the patient information leaflet, usually at room temperature away from moisture and out of reach of children. Always follow the storage guidance supplied with your medicine.

When Sovaldi first reached the market, its US list price was set at around $84,000 for a 12-week course. That figure reflects the years of laboratory research, clinical trials, and the patent protection that let a single company supply the medicine while the patent remained in force. The price was tied to the brand and its exclusivity, not to the manufacturing cost of the tablets themselves.

Once those patents expire in a given country, licensed manufacturers can produce generic sofosbuvir. The generic contains the same active ingredient at the same 400 mg strength, and competition between suppliers brings the price down to a small fraction of the brand. Sofosbuvir is taken in combination with other antivirals rather than on its own, so whether it is suitable for you, and which regimen it belongs to, is a decision your prescribing clinician makes. A valid prescription is required.

Branded Sovaldi remains costly. In the United States the brand list price is roughly $84,000 for a 12-week course, and in the United Kingdom a course of the brand is around £35,000. In Australia the brand is subsidised through the national scheme for eligible patients, so what an individual pays there depends on their circumstances rather than the full list price.

Generic sofosbuvir, supplied as 400 mg tablets, typically costs a tiny fraction of the brand price in each of these markets. The exact length of treatment — commonly around 12 weeks — and the other antivirals it is combined with depend on your hepatitis C genotype, your treatment history, and your clinician's assessment. Generic sofosbuvir is prescription-only, so the course should always be confirmed and supervised by a licensed medical professional.

Sovaldi, Harvoni, and Epclusa all share sofosbuvir as their backbone, which is why they are often discussed together. Sovaldi is sofosbuvir taken in combination with other antivirals; Harvoni pairs sofosbuvir with ledipasvir in one tablet; and Epclusa pairs sofosbuvir with velpatasvir. Because the second ingredient differs, each regimen suits different hepatitis C genotypes and clinical situations, which is why the right combination is matched to your case by a clinician.

Generic versions of each of these medicines cost a tiny fraction of their brand price, so the choice between them is rarely about cost alone. If you are weighing the sofosbuvir-based options, you can compare the combination tablets on our generic Harvoni and generic Epclusa pages. Which regimen is appropriate for you depends on your genotype, prior treatment, and liver health, and that decision — along with a prescription — rests with your clinician.