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efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir vs sofosbuvir/velpatasvir

Side-by-side comparison of efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

Velpatasvir/ Sofosbuvir ↓ velpatasvir Co-administration of efavirenz and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir Velpatasvir /Sofosbuvir/Voxilaprevir ↓ velpatasvir ↓ voxilaprevir Co-administration of efavirenz and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir.

Recommendation: This combination is not recommended because it may cause your hepatitis C treatment to fail.

Drug Class
efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir NNRTI / NRTI Combination
sofosbuvir/velpatasvir NS5B/NS5A Inhibitor (HCV)
Type
efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir Prescription
sofosbuvir/velpatasvir Prescription
Summary
efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir

Efavirenz is a drug used to treat HIV-1 infection. It belongs to a class of drugs called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI).

sofosbuvir/velpatasvir

Vosevi is a drug that combines three medicines into one tablet. It is used to treat hepatitis C in adults who have already tried other treatments.

What It Treats
efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir

Efavirenz is used to treat HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. It helps to lower the amount of virus in your body. This medicine must be used with other HIV medicines.

sofosbuvir/velpatasvir

Vosevi treats chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection in adults. It is for those without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A). You can use it if you have genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 HCV. You must have already been treated with a hepatitis C medicine containing an NS5A inhibitor, or sofosbuvir without an NS5A inhibitor (for genotypes 1a or 3).

How It Works
efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir

Efavirenz blocks an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. HIV needs this enzyme to make copies of itself. By blocking it, efavirenz helps to slow down the spread of HIV in your body.

sofosbuvir/velpatasvir

Vosevi contains sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir. Sofosbuvir blocks a protein called NS5B polymerase that the hepatitis C virus needs to multiply. Velpatasvir blocks the NS5A protein, and voxilaprevir blocks the NS3/4A protease protein, both of which the virus also needs.

Common Side Effects
efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir
  • Rash
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
sofosbuvir/velpatasvir
  • Headache
  • Fatigue (feeling tired)
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
FAERS Reports
efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir
  • Virologic Failure 952
  • Drug Interaction 748
  • Drug Resistance 735
  • Viral Mutation Identified 674
  • Pathogen Resistance 623
sofosbuvir/velpatasvir
  • Feeling tired 2,307
  • Hepatitis C infection 1,734
  • Headache 1,639
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 1,386
  • Low red blood cell count 1,185
Serious Warnings
efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir

Efavirenz can cause serious side effects, including psychiatric problems like depression or suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. Efavirenz can also harm your liver. Your doctor should check your liver function before and during treatment. Do not take efavirenz by itself.

sofosbuvir/velpatasvir

Vosevi can cause Hepatitis B to become active again if you have had it in the past. This can cause serious liver problems, including liver failure and death. Before starting Vosevi, your doctor will test you for Hepatitis B. They will also monitor you during and after treatment.

Pregnancy
efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir

Efavirenz can harm your unborn baby, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about using birth control while taking this medicine. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking efavirenz.

sofosbuvir/velpatasvir

It is not known if Vosevi can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if Vosevi passes into breast milk, so discuss this with your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

How to Read This efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir vs sofosbuvir/velpatasvir Comparison

efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir is classified in the NNRTI / NRTI Combination drug class, while sofosbuvir/velpatasvir sits within the NS5B/NS5A Inhibitor (HCV) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir has 3,732 submissions while sofosbuvir/velpatasvir has 8,251. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to one medicine lowers the amount of the hepatitis c drug in your body, which can stop it from working correctly.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.