I'm on a 12 week treatment plan design to rid my blood of the HCV using the drug Harvoni. Does Harvoni cause hair loss? Has anyone experienced any hair loss while on Harvoni?
Does Harvoni cause hair loss?
Question posted by zenn211 on 4 March 2015
Last updated on 21 December 2021
15 Answers
JayWa
13 Aug 2020
About two weeks in from taking harvoni I start noticing my hair falling out a little bit and as time went by Ii never stopped.I used to have a full head of hair but now about half of it's gone so you be the judge different for everybody.
chepcfree
22 Dec 2021
I am six years post treatment and lost all the hair on my arms and lots of head hair. It has not come back. I run a private FB group for those who suffered after taken Harvoni. Hair loss along with a number of other side effects have affected many of the members. Although a "miracle drug", it can cause long term issues for some! I have perepheral neuropathy, tinnitus, 24/7 headache, decreased lung function, all of which I did not have prior to treatment but have now suffered six years with and will for the rest of my life.
cjs1988
6 May 2020
I'm not sure if it's harvoni that is the ongoing facial hair loss or not, my pcp mentioned that i just finished hep c treatment and that it could be a possibility. A month or so after harvoni treatment ended i slowly began losing a patch in my gotee I'm slowly losing facial hair and it's been a year or two since treatment. hep c is gone
kwsales
14 Aug 2018
I am on Harvoni and yes I am loosing my Hair Just keep it cut close and wear my Wigs.
cb151
15 June 2018
Hi, sorry but I'd say that the answer is yes. I went through the Harvoni treatment about 2 years ago. After a month or so I started noticing hair on my truck seat every day and it still has not stopped. I do not take any medications so there is nothing else to look at for the cause. I have lost at least 1/2 of my hair. I had hoped that maybe my hair was breaking as opposed to falling out from the root but that is not the case. I recently cut my hair short and it is still happening. My hair has always been very thick and was close to my waist when I started Harvoni so even if it stops falling out it will take until I'm 75 to grow back. Had I known, well.
EncinoSuzi
29 Jan 2018
I finsihed a 12-week program of Harvoni about a year ago. During treatment had severe insomnia, muscle ache and body stiffness, memory problems, serious head ache (I read online to drink lots of water and that helped) and was worried that these side-effects may last, and a weird sort of overall feeling of anxiety that was unrelated to any problems. It felt like a stress was flowing through my blood.
In the year since treatment ended, my memory issues have steadily subsided. The feeling of anxiety/stress is still with me but subsided, the stiffness and body aches are less but still with me, but was's a shock is serious hair loss. I wasn't losing hair during the treatment but now am losing hair in clumps daily. I had thick curly hair and now have short thin hair (and I haven't cut it in 6 months), lose way more hair daily than I ever have in my life or during treatment.
It's so bad, I now have about 1/3 of the hair I had before (even during treatment). Am seriously worried about my loss of hair. Have been taking vitamins and suplements and gone online for natural hair loss remedies, but am very depressed about it.
EncinoSuzi
29 Jan 2018
I wanted to add that though I'm feeling better about memory loss I worry about it. It's often hard for me to connect with simple words I know, it' scary. I lost my hearing in my right ear, and both ears itch. The insomnia continues as do the headaches. I've never been someone who got headaches before. It's atrange sort of headache like in the bones in my face and skull and my spine and muscles ache. The stiffness is uncomfortable. I always very flexible and could easily touch my toes, now it hurts to try. I stretch every day, but have lost alot of flexibility and the spine and muscle aches are constant. Half the time I'm up all night with insomnia. Have lost alot of concentration. Try and convince myself it will steadil subside, then realize it's been over a years and so many side effects have not diminished. Wanted to be more specific...
because what's got me totally freaked out right now, is this super bad hair loss, but am overall not feeling the same level of health and well being that I had before Harvoni, and it's scary. It's a relief not to worry about the hep C, but the side effects, and memory loss make me worry a lot about my long term health and feel misled because my Dr. had said there were virtually no side effects and even when I reported the severe side effects during treatmnent. Had to go online to realize the side effects I had, were not unusual.
Toridyl3114
17 March 2018
I am 31 and have had hep c since i was 18. The treatment when i was younger was interferon with some pill that u had to be on 2 forms of birth control and if pregnant women touched the pills(not even take them) then their child could come out like a mutant. They compared it to cancer treatment which my mom was with me when i went to the appointmeny and has had breast cancer twice So i decided to wait. Ive started taking the Harvoni 3 weeks ago i also dye my hair at least once a month cuz i have very bad grays. In the past week i have noticed massive amounts of hair loss which i thought might b from dying it but ive been dying it for many years so it def is the Harvoni. I notice it the most while washing my hair and after in the drain. Ive never had so much hair come out. I hope it grows back my hair is thin already. Im guna ask my dr if there is anything to help. Or does anyone know anything to help?
chepcfree
28 April 2017
My hair has thinned, my eyelashes are thinner and I also now have absolutely no hair on my arms or upper legs. I am 2 years + post treatment and no regrowth for me. So yes, Harvoni causes hair loss and no, it does grow back for all people.
claytonhepc
24 Aug 2017
Wish it caused hair loss on my legs, which would be welcome! Just an attempt at humor among friends.
Happy4now
25 Aug 2017
rdd1956
18 April 2017
I, too, was on the 12 week regimen. I completed treatment in June 2015. While on the drug, I did not experience noticeable hair loss however, the month after completion my hair did begin to thin significantly. That was when I first posted my question regarding hair loss on this site. One of the responders at that time advised me that the hair loss would be temporary, lasting only about the same length of time as the treatment. This has proven to be true. I estimate that I lost about 1/3 of my hair volume in the 3 months following cessation of my treatment (I am lucky enough to have fairly thick hair the loss was not catastrophic to me) but the hair did grow back and it is now back to full volume. An annoying side effect no doubt, but small price to pay to be free of the HCV, which I am.
Dbarnhart
13 May 2017
I completed my 6 month treatment on January 2017. I had no problems with hair loss during treatment but by April I begin to experience significant hair loss and my hair has also become very fine. I am hoping this is only a temporary situation and the loss will slow down soon.
birdloversc
22 Aug 2017
I also noticed my hair falling out. I lost more after treatment than I did during treatment. I have had very long hair my whole life, now I'm still losing it, wondering if I'm going to have any hair soon. Has anyone had their hair not grow back?
claytonhepc
23 Aug 2017
If I am losing hair after only 4 weeks of a 12 week regimen, I hope that it doesn't continue when I am done with it. Gee, it's the last thing I expected. Sometimes fever will cause hair loss but I never had one.
claytonhepc
23 Aug 2017
Birdlover, please let me know if you still have any hair; I sympathize completely with you and I have also lost 1/3 of my very long hair after only 28 days of treatment. Hope it grows back as I do want to be cured of hep C.
claytonhepc
23 Aug 2017
I agree that is is a small price to pay. I contacted Gilead to see if others have reported this and the rep said there was nothing reported re hair loss during clinical trials and referred me to their onboard nurse after I filed an official notice of adverse reaction. I said it isn't the worst thing that could happen provided I am cured of hep C when I am over the 12-week regimen but I'm not happy about seeing wads of hair in the tub, some the size of a small animal, when I shower. My hair was my pride and joy; it's long and everyone tells me to cut it, which I don't understand if the problem is follicular as once the hair is out of a follicle it is dead material, like fingernails. How can cutting it help except maybe make it look thicker than it is? I wish I knew enough to expect it but as you said, it's a small price to pay to be cured considering it costs so much money and it took me 4 months to get help to pay for it.
I shall keep taking it but I am really not thrilled about losing any more hair or not having it grow back when I am done with this regimen. Please let us know how your experience goes.
Domco
18 April 2017
Hi I did 12 weeks harvoni 9 months ago for hep c. Within 2 weeks of tx. My scalp itchy plaques. Later Dx With folliculitis still having major issues I have bald spots and it's a daily all day thing tried everything. Hep c cleared but I also have BIL hand numbness 24/7 tingling and rt dominant hand has no strentgh. I seeing disability drs in phila pa end of April 2017. Have not worked. Can't.
Sparky08
18 April 2017
I'm on my 6th week of Harvoni and my hair is falling out in clumps! My RLS (restless legs syndrome) has gotten worse and my body is so stiff it's hard to walk or move my fingers sometimes and my memory's shot. Anybody else with these problems?
claytonhepc
23 Aug 2017
Same thing here; insomnia with restless legs sydrome but the hair loss is devastating. I'm down to 1/3 of my original head of hair, which used to be my pride and joy. Hope it stops when the treatment is over as I don't want to have to wear a wig. Of course, I'm thankful there is a treatment for hep c that may cure me, it should since it costs a small fortune, which is another story unto itself trying to get it within a price range I can afford.
Happy4now
24 Aug 2017
Don't worry, your hair should come back.. I had hair loss with my treatment but it all came back and I believe yours will too. Best Regards!!
claytonhepc
24 Aug 2017
Thanks for the vote of confidence; sure hope it does while some people mentioned that it could be a thyroid condition--just what one needs while dealing with hepatitis C.
Stars357
7 Sep 2016
Hi. I finished my treatment back in Nov. 2015. My hair is still falling out but like Happy said its growning back out. Altho its very hard because my hair is all different sizes. I tried cutting but since its still falling its a bit hard. I'm Hep C free but only dealing with hair loss and a few other side effect and like I said I finished my treatment last year.
Happy4now
9 Sep 2016
Stars357 I understand... it took me a year and a half to start feeling better. Hang in there, you will get back to yourself.. hair and all.
claytonhepc
23 Aug 2017
Gee, I hope that doesn't happen when I stop this drug; I am happy to get a cure for hep C (especially at it's astronomical cose) but this hair loss thing is not good.
Happy4now
24 Aug 2017
The hair loss is temporary and the cure is for the rest of your life. A small price to pay.. Hang in there and don't be disalutioned.. Best Regards..
Eileen Killough
16 March 2016
I am on week 11, around week eight I started getting that isolated it chief feeling and am experiencing minimal hair loss. Nothing like interferon / ribiviran or triple therapy where I lost a lot of hair that did grow back but with those two it was much more than thinning. I have one week left and other than this very minimal hair loss that is not even noticeable I have had no other side effects. I haven't felt this good in many years. I was undetectable at week four. It has been so worth it and I couldn't be happier. I know people say oh don't worry about your hair but my hair is my personality. I understand the issue all too well. My first experience was I lost all my hair only on the right side of my head. Yes it grew back but only to thin really bad again during an added boceprivar which neither worked. Harvoni is a god send. Good luck to you!
Happy4now
16 March 2016
I so agree about the feelings regarding your hair loss... I didn't want to see or be around people I didn't know. So please don't misunderstand.. I do feel the same but just want to be reassuring to others because it is so emotionally challenging.. But you do get past it. I forgot to mention that I also looked for wigs but then changed my mind.
sky48
29 Aug 2015
I also am using this drug for the same reason. In the 2nd week I began to experience hair loss. The amount is noticeably higher than usual. I have been researching this possible side effect but you are the first related info I have came across. If this keeps up I will be shopping for a wig.
Happy4now
30 Aug 2015
Don't worry, your hair should come back once you finish your treatment. I know that it's hard to see your hair falling out -- while on my treatment I lost a lot of my hair. I was embarrassed to go out but it all grew back. My treatment was for a year, at least your treatment is short termed so don't be discouraged. It's a small price to pay and your hair will grow back. I cut my hair short for the time being.. Keep your eye on the price!
sky48
31 Aug 2015
Thanks Happy4now this gives me a lift knowing others have their hair regrow.
Happy4now
31 Aug 2015
For sure! Meanwhile I bought a colored powder which matched my hair color to put on my scalp so it wouldn't be so noticeable. I bought it at the beauty supply shop -- but I also contemplated a wig. Hang in there -- you'll be done before you know it and your hair will be as pretty and full as before you started treatment. Regards..
rdd1956
24 Sep 2015
I completed my Harvoni treatment in June. It is now the end of September and still losing hair. How long after treatment stops should hair loss stop?
kimmar84
2 June 2015
i have only heard a few people say they have thinned a little. i am starting my 4th week and i have havent lost any
Stephen Treloar
4 March 2015
loukazoo
4 March 2015
I sure hope not, I lost enough hair due to blood pressure meds, it eventually came back but not the same way, when I get up in the morning my hair on the sides are very wirery... I hope Harvonie does not due this too.
Funeral Guy
29 Dec 2016
I've got a weird one. I started the 12 week Harvoni and no real side affects except it made me really drowsy during the day and very minor hair loss. After about the second week I went for a haircut with the same stylist I've used for over a decade so she very familiar with my hair. To our surprise I've developed 2 "cowlicks" on both sides at the back of my head. I finished treatment about two weeks ago and they're still there. I'm a 67 year old male and have always been blessed with a full head of hair with very little grey. Has anybody run into the same thing?
Naturalginger0925
10 March 2017
I have been taking this drug for one month. I get my eyelashes done every two weeks for the past 3 years with the same lady. My visit yesterday prompted a conversation. The question asked was, " are you still taking your multivitamin?" I replied yes, why? She said she noticed 2 weeks ago that my eyelashes were looking thinner. So yesterday as she was doing my lashes she noticed they were much thinner than 2 weeks prior. I have noticed more head hair in my brush and drain when I wash my hair and this is the only new medicine I'm taking. It may be subtle but it is noticeable.
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hepatitis c, treatment, rid, blood, harvoni, drug
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