Glecaprevir / pibrentasvir and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I normally never write reviews but felt I needed to considering people are reading this when deciding to take the Mavyret. I, myself, did so before taking the medication and found myself hesitant and nervous because I am super sensitive to medication. Tomorrow will be my fourth week of taking it and it has been a lot easier than I had anticipated. My side effects have been dizziness, trouble focusing, coldness, slight nausea, tiredness. I had some anxiety which is now gone. The dizziness has decreased dramatically and I can focus much better now. My body just needed to acclimate to the meds. If I can offer advice to anyone who is reading this is to prepare. Drink 16 cups of water a day. Eat crackers for nausea and eat a big meal with the meds and rest when your body needs it. Take care of your body so it can take care of you. I can only speak to my experience of the medication. For me, it has been a lot easier than I had anticipated. Don't let fear stop you. You can do this."

• Mrz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I am on my second week of Mavyret treatment for hep C, Genotype 4a, and have had Hep C for over 30 years. I have good days and some weird days! I take my meds at 11:30 AM with food. Definitely eat! Side effects for me have been anxiety in the midst of the COVID virus (I live in FL), waking up at 3-4 AM with anxious thoughts, some fatigue during the day, and a very slight headache on and off. Hoping for a cure at the end of my 8 weeks! God bless everyone on this journey."

• Was...
• January 14, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I have had Hep C for 25 years. Stage 4 cirrhosis in the liver. I was only able to tolerate the medication for 5 weeks and 5 days. Basically, it gave me really dark thoughts I've never had before or since stopping the medication. My doctor agreed that everybody is unique but my situation was unusual, and I had to stop the medication. The other side effects I experienced were nervousness, loss of appetite, muscle aches, just all-around feeling physically nasty, but it was the mental side effects that I had the most issues with. I've actually read reports from the VA that several people have experienced the same suicidal thoughts. My doctor informed me that I am most likely not cured because I didn't complete the 12 weeks. I was told I'd have to do another medication if I tested positive for Hep C. Today, I called for the results... I'm cured."

• gr8...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I have had Hep C since 2000 but did not have insurance that would cover Mavyret until recently. The side effects were not a concern to my doctor. I was seriously ill with bone pain, nausea, fatigue, and headaches. Worst of all, about halfway into treatment, I started getting severe panic attacks - I had never had a panic attack in my entire life. My doctor said it had nothing to do with the medication. Uh, yes, it did. I also developed red lesions on my hands, feet, and legs that have not stopped forming even after three weeks of being off the medication! My doctor says that it is psoriasis, which I have never had as well. I am still suffering with the anxiety and skin lesions today. I hope it worked so it is worth all these side effects. I find out in January if I am free of Hep C, but my mid-treatment blood work showed good signs, so pray for me, pray these lesions go away too, please! Thanks for all the posts and support. I do not feel so alone."

• Pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2020

For Hepatitis C "OK, so now I'm a month in. My insides have been a bit soft, but I've found that if you take your Mavyret while eating, then it's not so bad. I've had a bit of fogginess in the brain and bouts of fatigue, waves of depression and anxiety. My advice is don't dwell on the side effects, it'll just make them worse. Let's face it, most of us got Hep C one way, and we know that when you were hanging, if you just got on with things, it wasn't nearly as bad as when you sat around feeling sorry for yourself. Compared with Interferon, this is nothing."

• Rox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Three weeks into treatment, and I'm feeling great! Absolutely no side effects except the first couple of nights I had a little anxiety when I was going to sleep. But life has thrown me a lot of curveballs lately, so maybe it was just my anxiety from my life. But I'm taking my three pills every day at noon with lunch and drinking lots of water as prescribed. And I'm feeling just fantastic. In just a week, I'll be getting my first blood test. And I will update you. Just want to say, don't be afraid to start this medication. I work 70 hours a week, and I haven't missed a day. Thanks to everyone who made this possible. A real lifesaver, I hope."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I'm on my last six days of my eight-week treatment. First round of labs is looking promising. Second set is next week. *Fingers crossed.* And the side effects are very real, and no, I'm not just stating a headache, nausea, and fatigue. About four weeks in, I noticed a mental decline. Bouts of depression, anxiety, and at times immense irritation, plus facial blemishes, thinning hair, weight gain, and excessive sweating. Worth it, I hope, considering if one stops treatment, the likelihood of insurance authorizing another is very unlikely. I have always had adverse reactions to medicines (my luck), ultimately, the potential benefits are worth it. Treatments' alleged side effects suck vs. Hep C and its damage... treatment was an easy win."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Had hep C over 30 years, took Mavyret 8 weeks, finished a year ago end of May. I have tested 3 times since, no active virus, normal liver panels, still get pain in liver area occasionally, do have fatty liver, working on lowering carb intake. Side effects were not great, anxiety, sleep problems, depression, first and last week were unbearable, stomach felt like a hole burning in it. The best time to take meds was with a huge meal around 7 pm... then go to bed. I did notice I have raised tiny bumps scattered all over my body, were never there before, but at least I have more energy and can do family outings now..."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I'm having terrible chest pain, and it's scaring me! I have 3 weeks left to go of the Mavyret treatment. My blood work already came back non-detected. Does anyone else have chest pain? It's giving me major anxiety. I've been to the hospital, they said my heart was okay."

• Pja...
• August 18, 2018

For Hepatitis C "Started this medication 7 days ago. Unfortunately, had to discontinue the medication today. After ending up in the ER with tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), and dangerously low blood pressure, my doctor and I decided it needs to be stopped. The first 3 days I had slight symptoms, just a little tired and sick to my stomach. Going into the fourth day, I began waking up out of my sleep feeling like my body was heating up. And as if I had consumed a mass amount of steroids or something. Very anxious, blurred vision, dizzy, nausea, indigestion, extreme head rush, pins and needles, numbness, and random pains all over. I was so excited to finally get approved for this medication. Now I will have to most likely fight my insurance for an alternative medicine. This is the worst reaction I have ever had to medication. I hope I can get on a different one with not so intense and dangerous side effects. I wish everyone with minimal symptoms good luck!"

• Vee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2018

For Hepatitis C "Days 1 and 2 were great - I felt like I had taken an anti-anxiety medication, slightly euphoric even, yet able to sleep very well. Day 3, this euphoric feeling became too much, and I literally lost it. I never felt like this before, but I was having impulses and urges and coming close to dissociating. It created extreme hunger, which made me feel angry. It was an 8-hour-long high anxiety, panic attack but worse. None of this is usual or normal for me. So I had to stop at day 3 :("

• Dou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2024

For Hepatitis C "I completed 8 weeks of Mavyret on 6/26/24. Two weeks prior, I began feeling so tired. I completed my 30-day blood work, which showed my numbers significantly decreased to greater than twelve, and my Physician said that in 3 months when I repeat my blood work, I will be completely cured. Now, 2 weeks after finishing Mavyret, I find myself very depressed, tired, crying, anxious, with brain fog. I did routine blood work with my family physician, and my blood work is abnormal. It shows my lymph absolute is high among other things. I am very sensitive to drugs. I hope and pray that Mavyret has cured my Hep C and not caused me any other harm. I question why my blood work changed, as prior to Mavyret, I had none of these issues. I am concerned about the effects. I hope I didn't make a wrong decision. I just want my happiness back. Please do your research. Reviews on this site showed that I'm not alone."

• Str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I have been on for a week and 2 days. I get minor headaches, but I start to drink water when it happens, and it goes away quickly. As the days go on, I am getting more and more tired. I just feel weak and have zero motivation to do anything. I can't think straight-my thoughts just feel very cloudy (like I've taken steroids). I'm feeling too weak to do anything besides laying around, which has me feeling depressed. Feeling so tired and not being able to think straight makes me not want to be around anyone, which makes my social anxiety worse. I am really hoping that I start feeling better as the days come. I am truly grateful for the chance to try this medicine, and I am by no means complaining. I am just expressing how I feel. I've been struggling with Hep C since 2006 and am so thankful it is nothing like the Interferon treatment because that was so awful."

• RVO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2018

For Hepatitis C "First 8 days complete, on my second packet, had a lot of anxiety around when to take and how I would feel after reading so much about possible side effects. Thankful that after a week, I feel just about the same, very mild headache, rated 1-2 out of 10, don't really notice, no nausea, no insomnia. Feel a bit cold a couple hours after I take them, not sure if it's my head, but it's consistent. I am fully functional and energy is great!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2018

For Hepatitis C "Hep C genotype 3a Mavyret 12-week only treatment for Hep C, hopefully the last. No side effects except when I would dose with no food. I would experience a little bit of nausea and had some weight loss for the first 4-6 weeks. After 4 weeks, not detectable. I believe my levels were 40,000 with some slight scarring of my liver. 8-10 weeks, I noticed lingering bouts of anxiety and depression. I am on my last week of the 12-week treatment, and I am experiencing absolutely no energy or drive to do anything. I’m thinking it’s some depression from the medicine, I’m hoping so. I am also five months clean off of heroin, so maybe that has something to do with it, I’m not sure. All in all, I’m grateful and would definitely recommend the treatment."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2022

For Hepatitis C "True to what it is meant to do, but this medicine was a complete nightmare. I was on the couch for the majority of my 8 weeks. 2 hours after taking a dose, I would be falling asleep anywhere. Unable to keep my eyes open, and that was only the beginning. At the halfway mark of my 8 weeks, I started to get nausea and horrible headaches. On top of that, diarrhea sometimes, with the worst stomach pain. The worst part was the chest pain and chest tightness that lasted for a week. Went to the hospital and was told nothing was wrong. I dealt with it thinking it's just 4 more weeks. Now I have just finished my treatment as of 3 days ago, and the aftereffects are worse. I am running to the bathroom all day, trying to take it easy through the chest tightness, and just straight-up feel overwhelming anxiety, which is yet another side effect the doctor swore could not be from this medicine, like the chest pain. But others have it too, so maybe it's time to change that side effects list."

• New...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I’m on week 4 of Mavyret, and I take it at night. I was diagnosed with hep C genotype 1a in 2015. I have battled mild depression/anxiety before taking this drug, however, since being on it, the depression/anxiety has gotten significantly worse. So, I started an antidepressant 4 days ago. I just noticed today in the shower that I’m also experiencing hair loss. I have had incredibly low energy the past 2 weeks and some nausea and diarrhea since starting this Mavyret. But I am so grateful to finally have an opportunity to try this medication in hopes of a cure."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2018

For Hepatitis C "Just finishing my first week. I feel great. I have a hard time taking any prescription drugs, but not this one. I'm so grateful! I started a light workout in the morning to get awake, cause I am a little sleepy lately. Has anyone else been feeling a little depressed? I think it's just anxiety about all this. But I'm very optimistic!"

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2021

For Hepatitis C "Just finished week 2 of Mavyret. The side effects I do have are very weird! So far, no headaches or nausea, and I'd say only 2 out of 7 days are bad or crappy ones. Most days I feel fine! Side effects I've experienced so far are hot, burning in my face, dizziness, achy sore body, fatigue, and just a weird anxious, disassociated feeling. Also, today I am feeling a weird feeling in my hands and other extremities that is hard to explain. I've gotten two episodes of really bad anxiety, but they passed. Sometimes I feel like I have icy hot on my hands and body, and restless limbs. But I am so glad I haven't felt any nausea or headaches! It's flying by, and I am so happy to have this all over with soon."

• Kas...
• January 27, 2021

For Hepatitis C "I had hep C for 50 years but only noticed it the last years of that 50. I took Mavyret for 2 months. It cured me the first month but required taking another month. I felt extreme fatigue, extreme thirst, extreme hunger, and weakness. I lifted weights for most of my adult life but now can't lift much. I was walking 4 miles a day before taking it and had brain fog, depression, and anxiety. Almost a year since the last dose. Now fatigue is less, still extremely thirsty, extreme hunger gone, energy slowly improving. Now walking 3.9 miles a day. Finally sleeping well but still get depressed. My diet is 85% plant-based and 15% animal, so I still have muscles. Sometimes my digestion isn't good, and there is heartburn, so I take probiotics and that takes care of it. I look forward to lifting weights again and I'm 69. Mavyret was scary to take."

• Led...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I found that I was extremely dehydrated when taking the meds, which I expected. The only issue was that I was so dehydrated that I was unable to take any traditional allergy medications during seasonal allergy season. I tried using corticosteroids like Flonase, but the side effects were too intense (nervous, unable to sleep, etc.). The medication also produced quite a bit of swelling and pain in my midsection. It was in the area of my liver and kidneys. Lots of back pain. I enjoyed the tiredness, as I usually don't sleep well."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2022

For Hepatitis C "I am a 36-year-old female and have been diagnosed with hep C for 6 years. I am about 2 days away from finishing my 4th week, so right about the halfway mark. I read someone on here write they have some good days and some weird days, and I couldn't have written that better myself. I can't say I have experienced fatigue, but a general weirdness, and kind of out of it sometimes. I am a single mother of a 4-year-old boy. I work full time in a busy grocery store, and my job is physical and draining. So far, I haven't missed any work. My first week, I didn't feel much of anything, my second week, my anxiety spiked, but so did my energy level. In the third week, my stomach started feeling like it's burning, and constant acid reflux and burning tongue (I have GERD). I do get a weird headache. I eat a large meal and drink tons of water around the clock, take meds at 6 pm."

• 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."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2021

For Hepatitis C "I am on my 5th week of the 8-week treatment of Mavyret. I am also on 140 mgs of methadone as well. The side effects I've experienced are nausea, anxiety, slight headache, and tiredness. I've been taking my medication in the morning with breakfast, and within a few hours, I feel tired and nauseous. After reading the reviews on here, I am going to change my time and take it at bedtime, and maybe that will help. Otherwise, I am very hopeful and am staying positive to beat this hep C. Thanks, everyone, for your posts."

• G60...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I am finishing up week 6 tomorrow and scheduled for a lab test to check on the liver. Experienced tiredness, mild headache, anxiety, and frustration, but none of it severe."