Should Jisandai/Bingtonsha be taken before or after meals? Is there any particular time when it should be taken?

Epclusa is a fixed-dose once-daily oral hepatitis C (HCV) antiviral drug. The recommended dose is 400 mg of Sofosbuvir and 100 mg of Velpatasvir per tablet. The taking time of this drug is relatively flexible and can be taken before or after meals, but it is better tolerated after meals. Especially for patients who are prone to stomach discomfort, it is recommended to take it with meals to reduce side effects such as nausea and stomach pain.

According to clinical studies, the absorption rate of Jisandai may be slightly increased in the fed state, especially after ingesting fat-rich foods, and the blood concentration may increase. This means that although Jisandai is not required to be taken with meals, if the patient has a sensitive gastrointestinal tract or wants to maximize the effect of the drug, he or she can choose to take the drug after breakfast or lunch to reduce the irritation of the drug to the stomach and optimize absorption. However, it should be noted that high fat, high sugar or excessive alcohol intake should be avoided to avoid affecting the metabolic burden on the liver.

In addition, you must maintain regularity when taking Jisandai. It is recommended to take it at the same time every day to maintain a stable blood concentration and ensure antiviral efficacy. If you accidentally miss a dose, you should take it as soon as possible. As long as the next dose is more than 8 hours away, you can still take the daily dose. However, if it is close to the next dose (less than 8 hours), it is not recommended to take the next pill at the normal time to avoid overdose.

Another important consideration is drug interactions, with certain medications that may cause adverse reactions. For example, proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole) may reduce the plasma concentration of velpatasvir, thereby affecting its efficacy. Therefore, if patients need to take stomach medicine, they should consult their doctor to adjust the dosage or choose other alternatives. In addition, you should avoid taking antacids containing magnesium or aluminum at the same time while taking Jisandai. It is best to wait more than 4 hours to prevent drug absorption from being affected.

Reference: https://www.epclusa.com/