Treatment FAQ

what will harvoni treatment be like

by Eliseo Schowalter Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Precautions

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. …

What is Harvoni used for?

HARVONI gives you what you need. HARVONI transformed hepatitis C (Hep C) treatment as the first cure that’s one pill, once a day for the majority of patients. Cure means the Hep C virus is not detected in the blood when measured 3 months after treatment is completed. HARVONI is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, 4, 5, or 6 …

What is the length of treatment with Harvoni?

Aug 06, 2020 · Harvoni contains a combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir are antiviral medications that prevent the hepatitis C virus (HCV) from multiplying in your body. Harvoni is used to treat chronic hepatitis …

What should I know before taking Harvoni?

Dec 17, 2018 · The length of treatment is dependent on the patient’s HCV treatment history, if they have cirrhosis, and how much HCV is in the bloodstream. Some patients will need to take an additional drug, called ribavirin (RBV), twice a day with Harvoni. Generally, Harvoni has a success rate between 94 and 100% for patients with genotype 1.

Is Harvoni plus ribavirin right for me?

Jan 29, 2018 · 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 ...

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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

How do you feel during Hep C treatment?

You might feel tired or have a slight headache. Some people have a bellyache, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping. Ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, with dasabuvir (Viekira Pak):Doctors say this treatment works well for people with HCV type 1.Oct 25, 2021

Why does Harvoni make you tired?

Central nervous system. 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.

What happens if you drink on Harvoni?

As for Harvoni, there doesn't seem to be an interaction that's specific to Harvoni and alcohol. You should simply avoid drinking alcohol while having any kind of drug treatment for hepatitis C. Note: If you have hepatitis C and a history of heavy drinking, you could also have liver damage from alcohol.

Is hep C treatment like chemo?

But Bacon says hepatitis C treatment can have side effects "that are akin to what patients experience when they receive cancer chemotherapy." That includes temporary hair loss. The peginterferon-ribavirin combination is "sometimes loosely called chemotherapy," says Bacon.Sep 10, 2008

Is hep C treatment rough?

Early Days of HCV Treatment Were Rough

These drugs were at least something, but not exactly great options. They caused flu-like symptoms, fatigue, muscle aches, anemia, insomnia, and nausea, and even at their peak effectiveness, were still only curing about 40-50% of people.
Sep 10, 2020

What are the most common side effects of Harvoni?

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

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.Apr 23, 2020

Is Mavyret better than Harvoni?

Harvoni also comes in the form of tablets and oral pellets and contains ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. Mavyret is reported to have some advantages over Harvoni including the number of HCV genotypes it covers, the length of treatment required, and the cost of a course of treatment.Aug 25, 2021

Will I feel better after hep C treatment?

Since hepatitis C doesn't always cause any symptoms, you may not feel any different after being cured. If you were experiencing symptoms — fatigue is the common one — you should start to feel stronger and more energetic, which should continue to improve after you finish treatment, says Massoud.Apr 21, 2022

Can hep C come back after interferon treatment?

Combination therapy of interferon and ribavirin has traditionally been used to eradicate hepatitis C virus. The sustained virologic response achieved with interferon-related therapy is persistent, and late relapses after achieving sustained virologic response at 24 weeks using this therapy are reportedly rare (< 1%).May 27, 2020

Can someone cured of hep C donate blood?

No, you cannot donate blood if you ever had hepatitis C, even if you spontaneously cleared the virus or if you were successfully cured with medication.

What is the difference between hepatitis B and C?

Some of the main differences between hepatitis B and C are: Hepatitis B virus can be prevented with a vaccine, but not hepatitis C. Hepatitis B and...

Is Mavyret better than Harvoni?

Mavyret is reported to have some advantages over Harvoni including the number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes it covers, the length of treatme...

What are the new drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C?

The newest drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C include Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir), Vosevi (sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir...

How often should I take Harvoni?

Take HARVONI 1 time each day and at the same time each day. Take HARVONI with or without food. It is important that you do not miss or skip doses of HARVONI during treatment. If you take too much HARVONI, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Can you take ribavirin with harvoni?

If you take HARVONI with ribavirin, you should also read the ribavirin Medication Guide for important pregnancy-related information.

What is the name of the drug that is used to treat hepatitis C?

HARVONI gives you what you need. HARVONI transformed hepatitis C (Hep C) treatment as the first cure that’s one pill, once a day for the majority of patients. Cure means the Hep C virus is not detected in the blood when measured 3 months after treatment is completed. HARVONI is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with chronic hepatitis C ...

What does "cure" mean in medical terms?

Cure means the Hep C virus is not detected in the blood when measured 3 months after treatment is completed. HARVONI is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, 4, 5, or 6 infection with or without cirrhosis (compensated). No interferon.

What is Harvoni used for?

Harvoni is used to treat chronic hepatitis C in adults and children who are at least 3 years old. Harvoni is sometimes given in combination with another medicine called ribavirin . Harvoni treats specific genotypes of hepatitis C, and only in certain people. Use only the medications prescribed for you.

What are the side effects of Harvoni?

Harvoni side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Harvoni: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have new or worsening symptoms such as: jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), and not feeling well.

Can you take Harvoni with HIV?

Use only the medications prescribed for you. Do not share your medicine with other people. Harvoni is sometimes used in people who also have HIV. This medicine is not a treatment for HIV or AIDS.

Can Harvoni be used with ribavirin?

Harvoni is sometimes used in combination with ribavirin. Both men and women using ribavirin should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Ribavirin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or father is using the medicine.

Can you have both hepatitis B and C?

Hepatitis B and C are different viruses, but you can have both hepatitis B and hepatitis C at the same time. Over 90% of people infected with hepatitis C who have not received treatment can be cured with 8 to 12 weeks of oral medications, but treatment for hepatitis B, if needed, may be long-term or lifelong.

What are the new drugs for hepatitis C?

What are the new drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C? The newest drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C include Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir), Vosevi (sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir), and Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir).

Can you chew a pellet?

Do not chew the oral pellets. To take with food, you may mix the pellets with a non-acidic soft food (pudding, chocolate syrup, mashed potato, ice cream) that is at room temperature or below. Swallow the mixture without chewing, no more than 30 minutes after mixing. Do not save the mixture for later use.

What is Harvoni used for?

It may be used to treat certain genotypes of the hepatitis C virus in adults and children over the age of three.

How long does Harvoni last?

Harvoni is a single combination pill that is given by mouth once a day for 12 or 24 weeks, depending on the presence of compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A). Harvoni is available as oral tablets or pellets which are more easily swallowed. Harvoni may be taken with or without food.

Is Harvoni approved for HCV?

Harvoni is approved for HCV genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6 without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis; genotype 1 infection with decompensated cirrhosis in combination with ribavirin; and genotype 1 or 4 infection in liver transplant recipients without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis in combination with ribavirin.

Can you take Harvoni with food?

Harvoni is available as oral tablets or pellets which are more easily swallowed. Harvoni may be taken with or without food. Usually, the side effects that occur with Harvoni are mild. Clinical studies report only 1% (1 out of 100) or less of patients stopped treatment due to side effects.

Is Harvoni a generic?

Harvoni is also available as a cost-saving generic called ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. 3. Downsides. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

What are the side effects of Harvoni?

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: Most side effects that occur with Harvoni are mild but the most common ones reported were fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia.

Can you chew Harvoni pellets?

Harvoni pellets should not be chewed. Harvoni pellets may be sprinkled on top of non-acidic soft foods such as pudding, chocolate syrup, mashed potato, or ice cream that is at or below room temperature. The mixture of foods and pellets should be swallowed whole within 30 minutes of mixing to avoid a bitter aftertaste.

What Is Harvoni?

Harvoni is an HCV treatment that comes in pill form consisting of 2 HCV-fighting drugs ( sofosbuvir and ledipasvir ).

Side Effects of Harvoni

Common side effects are usually mild cases of fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia. Some patients have reported skin swelling, rash, or blisters.

What Drugs Should Not Be Taken With Harvoni?

Harvoni should not be combined with amiodarone as it can cause life-threatening heart problems.

Can Hep C Come Back After Taking Harvoni?

Once treatment is complete, patients have a high chance of being cured of HCV. But they will still need to take certain precautions. 12 weeks after completing treatment, patients need to take a PCR viral detection test to confirm if they are cured. They will not know if they are cured till they take this test.

Is There a Generic Version of Harvoni?

You can find generic versions of Harvoni in Bangladesh, Egypt, and India at a significantly cheaper price of about $1,000 or less for a 12-week treatment. The Indian version is chemically identical to the brand name version in the United States.

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.

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).

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 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.

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

Is Harvoni a cancer drug?

The Harvoni had nothing to do with cancer. It can cause side effects but is a medication well worth taking. It is irresponsible to try to convince people that it is a dangerous medication. That flies in the face of all of the Harvoni successes and may cause people to avoid a life saving treatment. support (1)

Is Harvoni the first direct acting antiviral?

Just to add, Harvoni was the first generation of the All Oral Direct -Acting Antiviral used .#N#Today most physicians are prescribing the newer drugs ,#N#either Epclusa or Mavyret .#N#These meds have excellent efficacy > 97 % and there seems to be much less chatter on side effects than Harvoni.#N#My opinion is these are truly miraculous drugs and have come a long way from the terrible Interferon days taken for a year with side effects that were horrendous for most with a 50-50 % chance of cure#N#Best to everyone

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How It Works

This medication is a combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir and is used to treat chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C, a viral infection of the liver. It may sometimes be used with another antiviral medication (ribavirin).

May Treat: Chronic hepatitis C - genotype 1 · Chronic hepatitis C - genotype 4 · Chronic hepatitis C - genotype 5 · Chronic hepatitis C - genotype 6

Drug Class: Hepatitis C - NS5B Polymerase and NS5A Inhibitor Combinations

Availability: Prescription Required

Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using

Lactation: Consult a doctor before using

May Treat: Chronic hepatitis C - genotype 1 · Chronic hepatitis C - genotype 4 · Chronic hepatitis C - genotype 5 · Chronic hepatitis C - genotype 6

Drug Class: Hepatitis C - NS5B Polymerase and NS5A Inhibitor Combinations

Availability: Prescription Required

Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using

Lactation: Consult a doctor before using

Alcohol: Limit intake while taking this medication

Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution

Manufacturer: GILEAD SCIENCES

Precautions

  • If available, read the patient package insert
  • Take at the same time(s) daily as directed
  • Take 4 hours before or 4 hours after antacids

  • If available, read the patient package insert
  • Take at the same time(s) daily as directed
  • Take 4 hours before or 4 hours after antacids
  • Lab tests may be ordered to monitor therapy
  • Review all drugs you are taking with your doctor
  • Can still spread virus to other people.
  • May make diabetics more prone to low blood sugar
  • For pellets in packet products : Store at room temperature Protect from moisture.
  • For tablet products : Store tightly closed in the original container.

Upsides

Downsides

Bottom Line

Tips

  1. Harvoni is a combination tablet containing ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. It may be used to treat certain genotypes of the hepatitis C virus in adults and children over the age of three.
  2. Ledipasvir works by interfering with a protein, called HCV NS5A that is needed by the virus to replicate itself
  3. Sofosbuvir interferes with the reproduction of genetic material of the hepatitis C virus, by inhi…
  1. Harvoni is a combination tablet containing ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. It may be used to treat certain genotypes of the hepatitis C virus in adults and children over the age of three.
  2. Ledipasvir works by interfering with a protein, called HCV NS5A that is needed by the virus to replicate itself
  3. Sofosbuvir interferes with the reproduction of genetic material of the hepatitis C virus, by inhibiting an RNA-dependent polymerase called HCV NS5B, which is also needed by the virus to replicate i...
  4. Harvoni belongs to the class of medicines known as hepatitis C antivirals. It may also be called a combination antiviral agent.

Response and Effectiveness

  1. Harvoni is a combination tablet containing ledipasvir and sofosbuvir that may be used to treat certain genotypes of hepatitis C (HCV) in adults and children 3 years of age and older.
  2. Harvoni is approved for HCV genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6 without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis; genotype 1 infection with decompensated cirrhosis in combination with ribavirin; and genotype 1...
  1. Harvoni is a combination tablet containing ledipasvir and sofosbuvir that may be used to treat certain genotypes of hepatitis C (HCV) in adults and children 3 years of age and older.
  2. Harvoni is approved for HCV genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6 without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis; genotype 1 infection with decompensated cirrhosis in combination with ribavirin; and genotype 1...
  3. Harvoni is a single combination pill that is given by mouth once a day for 12 or 24 weeks, depending on the presence of compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A).
  4. Harvoni is available as oral tablets or pellets which are more easily swallowed.

Interactions

  • If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: 1. Most side effects that occur with Harvoni are mild but the most common ones reported were fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia. Other side effects include asthenia (lack of energy), cough, myalgia (mu…
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References

  • Harvoni is a combination tablet containing ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. It may be used to treat certain genotypes of the hepatitis C virus in adults and children over the age of three. It is usually taken for 12 weeks, although longer courses may be required by some people and side effects are typically mild and may include fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia.
See more on drugs.com

Further Information

  1. Before you start taking Harvoni your doctor will test you for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This because treating HCV may reactivate an underlying hepatitis B infection (HBV). Any underlying H...
  2. Harvoni pellets may be used to treat HCV in children or in those who have difficulty swallowing. Harvoni pellets should not be chewed. Harvoni pellets may be sprinkled on top o…
  1. Before you start taking Harvoni your doctor will test you for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This because treating HCV may reactivate an underlying hepatitis B infection (HBV). Any underlying H...
  2. Harvoni pellets may be used to treat HCV in children or in those who have difficulty swallowing. Harvoni pellets should not be chewed. Harvoni pellets may be sprinkled on top of non-acidic soft foo...
  3. Harvoni is best taken at the same time every day. Follow your physician's advice with regards to the dosage of harvoni and do not miss or skip doses. Take Harvoni for the duration that is recommend...
  4. Tell your doctor if you take any other medications or supplements, including those purchase…

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