Mavyret and Itching: What Users Say

• Sum...
• October 20, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Yes, finally a drug that can cure me, and it did just that. However, the side effects they don't tell you about, and I called them about it, could have killed me. I was getting severe itching and bruising, told my MD who put me on Prednisone, and it helped until my last week and a half. I had a bad sore throat, trouble breathing. Within 2 days, I was in critical care, and my family was called, it was that bad. Taking both meds, the Mavyret and Prednisone, was causing me to get sick. I had pneumonia and needed assistance with breathing and honestly felt it was only time before I'm gone. I had a procedure where they go into my lungs to get gases and tissue, which caused bleeding every time I coughed, extremely painful. Long story short, 5 weeks later, finally going home. Yes, Hep C free too, but the combination of both meds could have taken my life. Not only did the hospital, MD, and I notify the manufacturer, nothing was done to show these 2 drugs combined could kill you."

• Car...
• September 23, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Took Mavyret for 8 weeks. Finished April 22nd and the virus is undetected. Feel blessed to have gotten rid of it. So it’s been a full 5 months since I finished. The first 3 weeks taking Mavyret, I had no side effects, but for the remaining 5 weeks, I felt like death. Never been that sick in my life (extreme fatigue, brain fog, depression, chest pain, right tightness, irritable muscle weakness, itchy skin, nightmares, nauseous). Was in bed 20+ hours a day. Good thing is I’m starting to feel better, but very slowly. Most days I have nausea. Fatigue (I’m in bed 15 hours a day), bone and joint pain, irritable. But every day gets a tiny bit better. This has been challenging, but I’m cured. * Also, has anyone else had a recurring candida infection after or during Mavyret treatment?"

• EBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I just started my treatment of this medication two days ago. I was so nervous and so excited at the same time. I am feeling a little nauseous, and my skin is pretty itchy. Now, I don't know if that’s from winter dry skin or a side effect. I can’t wait to be cured, I just hope after this is over that I feel better, because right now I feel awful!! Praying for a speedy and effective treatment!! I’ll tell again in a few weeks how I’m feeling. Thanks for reading."

• Muc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I'll be starting my 2nd week of Mavyret tomorrow. I became extremely itchy the day after my 1st dose and can get no relief using creams and antihistamines, although aloe vera gel helps soothe it temporarily. It's not hives, though, since there are no marks on my skin. I got Hep C from a blood transfusion in 1968 but wasn't diagnosed until 2002. My doctor wants me to take Mavyret for 12 weeks, probably because I've had Hep C so long. I'm looking forward to being cured."

• 1Do...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2018

For Hepatitis C "Day 4 of 8-week treatment and have had a few side effects popping up already. Bloating and terrible itching. I feel really flushed. Lil background, was a drug addict but hasn't used for 9 yrs when I found out I had Hep C, so I had it for at least a decade. I waited a year because I was scared of the treatment but was feeling so run down lately that I figured I needed to face it. My viral load wasn't too terrible, it was 880,000, up from 440,000 last year when first diagnosed. I have an enlarged liver with bridging fibrosis but praying that Mavyret cures me. I feel lucky to have had the insurance approve it. This itching is so annoying tho, I think maybe upping my water intake may help. Anyway, I wish you all luck with your treatment and will check back in with updates about my experience. By the way, I have Hep C genotype 1A. Viral load 880,000."

• Jun...
• August 26, 2019

For Hepatitis C "First day of the second week. So far, I am not experiencing abnormal fatigue. I didn't with Hep C and am not now. I take it at 6 pm with a meal. My main side effects are nasty headaches that so far have stayed the same, not worsened. (I may not be drinking enough water), almost no nausea, some abdominal discomfort, some itching, and the flu/cold-like symptoms that I see people are having. I feel warm after taking, but no fever, no rash, no swelling, no difficulty swallowing, but my mouth feels like when you eat spicy food for 4-5 hours after taking. This has not worsened, and I told the nurse in the Mavyret Nurse Ambassador program about it. About 11:30 pm, I take Ambien and go to sleep. Ambien is the only thing that helps the headache so I can sleep. The doctor's office knows I take Ambien. The mornings are when I feel the best. But the headache comes back at some point. I'm retired, so I don't have to go to a job, and I'm glad of that!"

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2018

For Hepatitis C "Have 2 genotypes as it has mutated. My hep C I have had for 30 years. I am a 45-year-old male and have started Mavyret 4 days ago. I have noticed side effects: thinning of hair, pale skin, no energy, irritability, depression, sore stomach, vomiting, itchiness, hot and cold flushes, but hopefully I will beat this disease."

• Mis...
• February 15, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I'm at the end of my 2nd week of treatment. Before Mavyret, I couldn't eat due to nausea. I ate, on average, 3 days per week. And I couldn't sleep due to nausea. On average, I slept 10-12 hrs a week. I contracted Hep C when I was 19 from a dirty tattoo needle. I'm now 57, and this is my 2nd attempt at beating it. Since I've been taking this medication, I am able to eat 2x a day again, and I (take them just before bed with milk) sleep at least 5 hrs a day! To me, this is a very big deal. My energy has increased, there have been some emotional ups and downs, but not too bad. I have been experiencing itching, however. Not too bad thus far, but I still am somewhat concerned. I will continue to post as treatment goes along. Thanks for reading, and best of luck to you with your treatment."

• rub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I've been on Mavyret for 5 weeks. So far, several light headaches, intensely itchy feet sometimes that drive me mad! And rare bouts of intense, but brief nausea. Once or twice, I've had huge thirst outrages. No blood tests yet, will update then. Life is pretty much normal, and treatment has been a doddle overall. Oh, I have had the odd vertigo and tiredness. One day I slept 5 hours, that was once. Had hep C for 30 years, since a teen, genotype 3A. My viral load was only 95,000."

• sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2023

For Hepatitis C "I was pretty anxious to start, the bad reviews always stick in my mind, but I'm on day 3 now. I am a 52-year-old female, had hep C for 26 years. I am not on any other meds and have no other health conditions. I take it with a meal around 7 pm. The first day, I felt really tired for about an hour after taking that lasted until about noon. On the second day, I took it with a smaller meal, and after about an hour, felt tired, had a mild headache, and was a little itchy, felt great the next day. On the third day, I took it with a bigger meal, and I feel a little tired. I've had strange vivid dreams also. I always take it with 32 oz. water and drink it throughout the day. I feel okay so far. I will add to my review if I experience something more than I've included already. Otherwise, I will post at the end of treatment."

• hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I was diagnosed with HEP-C when my family doctor conducted my full body check. I already had been diagnosed with my kidney issue, proteinuria, and upon detailed blood tests, I was detected with Hep C. I was advised for an 8-week course of Mavyret. I am on the 7th week now. The first 1-2 weeks, I had very bad itching, and it went away. Used some oily lotions, and it helped to cure the itching. Fatigue went too high. Can't sleep at night for over 5 hours, no matter how much tired, will remain tired and upset during work. Not sure if it's due to Mavyret. Hoping that Hep-C will go away soon. Had a blood test 2 weeks ago. Will see the doctor in the next 1-2 days and will find out if it's improving. Stay tuned...."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I've had type 6 for 30 years, and no cirrhosis present. I was denied the Harvoni by my insurance company, appealed it, lost 3 times, changed doctors, and got approved for the Mavyret. At week 4, my viral load was zero. I start week 8 tomorrow, and then I have one more blood test for week 8 and a 3-month follow-up. I have only had the headache and gas, no other side effects, some itching here and there, but nothing to warrant stopping using the Mavyret. I am thankful it seems to be working for me, so I will update you at week 8 blood work and 3 months later. If you are having trouble getting approved, change doctors. For some reason, they got an approval 1st try, no appeals, so thankful, and I hope everyone does well with the med!"

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2018

"I'm genotype 1a and was diagnosed with Hep C in 1990. I'm now on my second box of Mavyret. When I first started taking the medication, I had extreme itching, and my doctor told me to take Benadryl, which I've been doing. I also take Vistaril now and then, which is much stronger and works like Benadryl but better. I'm so glad I stuck with the treatment! I don't feel the heavy fatigue I used to have, and my energy level is higher, and I feel so much better! The other side effect I've been having is acne and skin blemishes, but that's so minor compared to the other side effects I've been hearing about. I go for my lab work on Tuesday. Will check back after lab work results."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I've started Mavyret 1 week ago. I'm on a 12-week prescription. At the beginning, I had slight headaches, nausea, but not too bad as of now. I'm having irritating itching, but am grateful to be on the medicine. Looking forward to a clean bill of health at the end of treatment."

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I have had hep C for about 20 years. Today is my 3rd day on the medication. I started on Saturday, 9/29, at 3:30 pm. On this day, I only had a slight pressure headache, however, last night, I went to bed with a slightly worse feeling in my head. I woke up at 2:30 am and again at 4 am with my head pounding. I finally took 400 mg of Ibuprofen, went back to sleep, woke up at 5:45 am, and the headache was gone. The only other symptom I have noticed is itching on my palms and feet, a little bit over my body as well. So far, so good. I will post again soon. I am very thankful that I was able to take this medication."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2018

For Hepatitis C "This is the first week of medication. My main complaints are overall tiredness, cannot sleep well, and very itchy skin. But you have to lose a few to gain something. I will post in detail after 4 weeks, waiting for the 1st month lab work."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2023

For Hepatitis C "I have been treated with a combination of interferon given by injection in the abdomen and Ribavirin, which lowered my viral load but didn’t clear the virus. More than ten years later, I tried an oral combination of Sovaldi and Ribavirin, which apparently did not completely clear the virus. The first round of treatments was a nightmare, with my abdomen covered in bruises from injections and side effects that made me wonder if death would be better. The second treatment was much less harsh but still difficult, like having a mild case of the flu. I am two months post-treatment with Mavyret and virus-free. Mavyret is completely tolerable, with very few mild side effects of itching, headache, and fatigue."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2018

For Hepatitis C "Started my first dose 4 days ago. The 2nd day, I woke up at 2 a.m. with extreme itching on my stomach and back. I took a couple of Benadryl, and the itching subsided, and I was able to get back to sleep. I took another Benadryl in the morning before work to be on the safe side. The itching hasn't stopped, especially on my stomach. Going to call tomorrow to see if I should stop or if it's just my body trying to adjust to the medication."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2021

For Hepatitis C "The first day of treatment was okay. Tiredness, body temp elevated, changed effectiveness of gabapentin, hands itch. Second day tiredness, elevated body temp, different effectiveness of gabapentin, the itching spreads to my feet but tolerated with ice. Third day same. The itching has spread to my torso, my joints in my hands and feet are so severe with itching that ice baths are not working and I am in agony, I have to stop the medication."

• nyk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2021

For Hepatitis C "I am on day 5, and I don't like it. I am considering stopping. It has me anxious, not sleeping, not eating, itching, and burning. Muscle aches, not thinking clearly. The one side effect I expected, headaches, I haven’t got at all, but with everything else, I’m damn near miserable. I feel like I’d take my chances with the hep C, I wasn’t even that elevated to warrant feeling this was in my mind."

• Pup...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2025

For Hepatitis C "On the 2nd week of taking meds. End of first week had awful pounding headaches and body aches. Into the 2nd week, no headaches, now I am itchy on my back and arms. I will continue my full 8 weeks. Genotype 1, 70 yrs young and 33 years clean and sober. Hepatitis C laid dormant for at least 3 decades! First urine very dark, clears as the day progresses. Appetite is suppressed. Wish all good luck!!"

• Mrz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2020

For Hepatitis C "Day 3 of Mavyret and I have side effects of intense itching, no hives, sneezing, stuffy nose! Genotype 4. Hep C for over 40 yrs! Hanging in there!"