Treatment FAQ

side effects when taking harvoni the hep c treatment

by Clyde Oberbrunner Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
  • slow or irregular heartbeat
  • trouble breathing
  • unusual tiredness

Get medical help right away if you take these medicines and you have: very slow heartbeats, chest pain, shortness of breath; confusion, memory problems; or. weakness, extreme tiredness, light-headed feeling (like you might pass out).

Full Answer

How effective is Harvoni for hepatitis C?

Oct 15, 2021 · Side effects requiring immediate medical attention Chest pain or discomfort lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting slow or irregular …

What are the side effects of Harvoni?

Jan 29, 2018 · The following are the main side effects we know about today. Central nervous system One of the main side effects of Harvoni is tiredness. This tends to …

Can you have HIV and HCV and Harvoni at the same time?

Feb 17, 2020 · Fear of Harvoni Side Effects. One of the issues that comes up a lot in my correspondence and in my Facebook group is the issue of the side effects from hepatitis C treatment. Often people are reluctant to start using Harvoni or some other hepatitis C medication because they are concerned about the possible side effects during treatment.

How much does Harvoni cost?

Jun 14, 2021 · Usually, the side effects that occur with Harvoni are mild, but can vary based on your treatment regimen. In clinical studies, only 1% (1 out of 100) or less of patients stopped treatment due to side effects. The most common side effects occurring in greater 10% of patients include: headache fatigue asthenia (lack of energy)

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Are there any long term side effects with Harvoni?

Long-term side effects haven't not been reported with use of Harvoni. However, people with cirrhosis (liver scarring) may continue to have symptoms of liver damage after their hepatitis C is cured.Jan 29, 2019

Does Harvoni have any side effects?

One of the main side effects of Harvoni is tiredness. This tends to increase the longer you take the drug. Tiredness may be related to an interaction with other drugs that can slow your heart rate. If you feel tired while taking Harvoni, talk with your doctor about how you can increase your energy level.

What does Harvoni do to your body?

Harvoni prevents the hepatitis C virus (HCV) from multiplying in the body. It is a single combination pill that is given by mouth once a day for 8, 12, or 24 weeks, depending upon your HCV status.

Does Harvoni completely cure hep C?

Is Harvoni a Cure for Hepatitis C? The word “cure” has a very specific meaning for hepatitis C. It means there is no virus in your blood 12 weeks after your treatment is over. The cure rate for Harvoni is 94% to 99% when you don't have other serious illnesses.May 30, 2020

What are the most common side effects of Harvoni?

Common side effects of Harvoni include:
  • fatigue,
  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • insomnia, and.
  • weakness.

What are the side effects of hep C medicine?

You can expect to have:
  • Flu-like side effects (fever, headache, chills, muscle aches)
  • Gastrointestinal problems (low appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
  • Low blood cell counts.
  • Depression.
  • Insomnia.
  • Hair loss.
Apr 25, 2021

Can Harvoni cause kidney problems?

Rarely, it can cause nausea, diarrhea and insomnia. We describe a case of cirrhosis of liver secondary to HCV and alcohol. The patient received Harvoni but 4 weeks after receiving Harvoni he became extremely fatigued and developed acute renal failure with elevated transaminases.Jan 6, 2017

How long does Harvoni stay in your system?

Using Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) as an example, ledipasvir has the longer half-life in this combination, at 47 hrs. Using the formula, it comes to 258.5 hrs or almost 11 days. Most of the other hep C drugs are eliminated more quickly.Jan 9, 2018

Does Harvoni make you gain weight?

Weight gain has not been reported as a side effect of Harvoni in clinical trials. However, some individuals on blog posts report gaining weight (from two to 12 pounds); however, this was temporary and easily lost once treatment with Harvoni finished.

Can hep C come back after Harvoni treatment?

It's possible, but rare, for hepatitis C infection to reappear after apparently successful treatment. Relapses usually occur in the first few months after blood testing to confirm that the virus is no longer detectable.

Who should not take Harvoni?

Harvoni can be used in people with mild or moderate kidney disease. It is not recommended for people with severe kidney disease (eGFR<30 mL/min/1.73 m2) or for people on dialysis.

Can you drink alcohol while taking Harvoni?

Can you drink alcohol while taking Harvoni? The answer from several leading organizations is: no. You should not drink alcohol while taking this drug. The HCV Advocate is a nonprofit support group that offers advice for hepatitis C patients.

Does Harvoni help with HCV?

This prevents HCV from multiplying. Harvoni is used to treat people with HCV genotypes 1, 4, 5, and 6. Harvoni has been shown to cure up to 99 percent. Trusted Source. of people (without cirrhosis) who take it for 12 weeks.

Can Harvoni cause nausea?

headache. fatigue. Other side effects include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping. There are some drug interactions that can occur in people taking Harvoni. For example, you shouldn’t take an antacid within four hours of taking a Harvoni pill.

How effective is Harvoni?

What Harvoni Means for Hepatitis C Treatment 1 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Harvoni in 2014. 2 In studies, Harvoni has been shown to be up to 99 percent effective. 3 A typical course of treatment lasts 12 weeks.

Is hepatitis C a liver disease?

Hepatitis C is a potentially life-threatening disease of the liver. Over time, it can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is transmitted through contact with infected blood. are infected with HCV worldwide.

What are the symptoms of a symtom of a symtom of answer

low energy. nausea. a lack of appetite. As the disease advances, symptoms can include: severe fatigue. persistent nausea. vomiting. a loss of appetite. yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, called jaundice.

What is the genotype of HCV?

A genotype is the particular strain of a virus. HCV strains include genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Genotype 1 is the most common in the United States. These new drugs, called direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), can directly attack HCV and prevent the virus from replicating.

When was Harvoni approved?

Approval of Harvoni. The FDA approved Harvoni in 2014. Harvoni was the first combination pill that allowed people with genotype 1 to follow an all-oral medication regimen. Harvoni is a combination pill made up of the drugs ledipasvir and sofosbuvir.

Does Harvoni cause headaches?

Some people have headaches when they take Harvoni. This side effect generally gets worse the longer you take the drug. If you have headaches during your Harvoni treatment, ask your doctor about ways to increase your comfort. For a small number of people, Harvoni causes insomnia (trouble sleeping).

Does Harvoni cause stomach problems?

Digestive system. Like many drugs, Harvoni can cause some stomach problems. A small number of patients have reported nausea and diarrhea while taking the drug. Like some other side effects, these tend to get a little worse the longer you take the drug.

How long does it take for hepatitis C to cure?

Previous drug treatments for hepatitis C took longer and had lower cure rates. On average, treatment took two to four months with a cure rate of 50 to 80 percent. Harvoni cures 93 to 100 percent of patients in just 12 weeks. Harvoni causes few side effects compared with previous drugs.

Does Harvoni make you tired?

One of the main side effects of Harvoni is tiredness. This tends to increase the longer you take the drug. Tiredness may be related to an interaction with other drugs that can slow your heart rate. If you feel tired while taking Harvoni, talk with your doctor about how you can increase your energy level.

Can you take Harvoni if you have kidney disease?

If you have mild kidney disease, you should be able to take Harvoni without any problems. Your doctor will likely prescribe the normal dosage for you. But if you have severe kidney disease, your body may not be able to process the drug well. This could lead to increased amounts of the drug in your body, and increased risk of side effects.

Can you take Harvoni while pregnant?

You should take Harvoni only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks to your pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about your health and how this drug could affect your pregnancy. If you decide to have treatment while pregnant, you may be able to enroll in a pregnancy registry.

How to tell if you are taking a med?

Bradycardia typically occurs up to two weeks after you start taking these drugs together. It can cause multiple symptoms because a slow heart rate can prevent your body from getting the oxygen it needs. These symptoms can include: 1 feeling like you’re going to faint, or actually fainting 2 lightheadedness 3 tiredness 4 weakness 5 shortness of breath 6 chest pains 7 confusion or memory problems

Does Harvoni cause side effects?

Usually, the side effects that occur with Harvoni are mild, but can var y based on your treatment regimen. In clinical studies, only 1% (1 out of 100) or less of patients stopped treatment due to side effects. The most common side effects occurring in greater 10% of patients include: headache. fatigue.

How long does Harvoni last?

Most patients who have never had treatment, and without liver disease, will only have to take Harvoni for 12 weeks.

What is Harvoni used for?

Harvoni prevents hepatitis C virus (HCV) from multiplying in the body. It is a single combination pill that is given by mouth once a day for 8, 12, or 24 weeks, depending upon your HCV status. Harvoni comes as:

How many genotypes are there for HCV?

There are six different genotype classifications for HCV, and at least 50 subtypes, based on the genetic material in the RNA. Generally, patients are only infected with one genotype, but genotypes can mutate quickly and become drug resistant.

What is epclusa used for?

Epclusa is a nucleotide analog polymerase inhibitor and pan-genotypic NS5A inhibitor fixed-dose combination that treats all major HCV genotypes 1 through 6 without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis OR with decompensated cirrhosis for use in combination with ribavirin.

Is Epclusa a polymerase inhibitor?

Epclusa is a nucleotide analog polymerase inhibitor and pan-genotypic NS5A inhibitor fixed-dose combination that treats all major HCV genotypes 1 through 6 without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis OR with decompensated cirrhosis for use in combination with ribavirin. It is approved for adults and children 3 years of age and older. Dosing in children is weight based. It is also used in patients with HCV/HIV-1 coinfection.

Is HCV covered by insurance?

The Harvoni manufacturer Gilead may be able to offer copay coupons or other assistance to patients who cannot afford their medication. In addition, many HCV treatments are covered by insurance or Medicare.

Harvoni Side Effects

Harvoni side effects are usually few and mild. Some people may experience more severe side effects from Harvoni but it is rare.

Harvoni Side Effects in the Real World

And below is the email from the lady who purchased generic Harvoni and decided not to use it after Googling Harvoni Side Effects. She wrote to me to tell me she had decided not to use the generic Harvoni and was offering it to me as a donation to anyone who wanted it.

Does Harvoni help with hepatitis C?

It makes up about 75% of all U.S. cases. The FDA approved Harvoni to treat hepatitis C genotypes 1, 4, 5, and 6 in adults and children. Your doctor can also prescribe it if you have hep C along with: HIV. Uncontrolled cirrhosis (if you have only genotype 1)

Does Harvoni cause headaches?

The majority of those who take Harvoni don’t have side effects. But some people have headaches or get more tired than usual. Tell your doctor if you have hepatitis B because it can flare up or reactivate if you take Harvoni. They'll likely test you for this before you start on the drug.

What is the best treatment for hep C?

Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) is an antiviral medication that attacks the hepatitis C virus. It's one of the most effective treatments for hep C.

What is Harvoni a combination of?

Harvoni is a combination of two drugs. Each one blocks a protein that the hep c virus needs in order to grow: Ledipasvir blocks a protein called NS5A. Sofosbuvir blocks an enzyme called NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

How long does Harvoni last?

Harvoni is a pill you take once a day for 2 to 6 months. How long you'll take it depends on how much of the virus is in your blood (your doctor might call it your viral load), as well as: Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about how to take your medications.

What is the cure rate for Harvoni?

It means there is no virus in your blood 12 weeks after your treatment is over. The cure rate for Harvoni is 94% to 99% when you don’t have other serious illnesses. You have advanced liver disease. Your liver has some scarring (fibrosis).

How many genotypes of hepatitis C are there?

Hepatitis C has six different genotypes. Each genotype has different genetic material, and some respond to medicine better than others. In the U.S., genotype 1 is the most common. It makes up about 75% of all U.S. cases. The FDA approved Harvoni to treat hepatitis C genotypes 1, 4, 5, and 6 in adults and children.

If experienced, these tend to have a Severe expression i

Sorry, we have no data available. Please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Are you currently using Harvoni?

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