Harvoni and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Tho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I have just finished a 12-week treatment period, and my last blood work was viral-free, as it was after the 8th week. My viral count was 3,000,000 at the outset of treatment, 45 after 4 weeks, and, as I said, undetected after the 8th week. I have experienced some mild diarrhea briefly and mild tiredness, but I'm 69 years old, so who's to say?"

• gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Today is the sixth day of taking Harvoni. I have had Hep C for over 30 years, I am sure from my wild days and sharing needles. I feel like something must be wrong with me. I am reading all of the other reviews, and everyone is reporting no or little side effects. I have been on this for six days, the first few days were a breeze, but the last few... I am experiencing diarrhea, nausea, I am so fatigued, I can barely get out of bed. I am weak and dizzy. None of these will make me quit taking the medicine, but I wonder how I will be able to do this for 12 weeks. I really don't have a choice, my numbers jumped from 4,000,000 to 10,000,000 and I have cirrhosis. I hope I get to the part where I feel better and more energetic than before soon!"

• Kuh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I had Hep C for over 45 years. I got it from IV drug use. Harvoni is a miracle treatment for me. I took one pill a day for 12 weeks. After 4 weeks of treatment, it was non-detectable. My blood work is exceptional and I didn't experience any side effects that made me want to stop treatment. I got a few headaches, but they were mild and I took 1 or 2 Advil for relief. No big deal really. I had some stomach problems, but once again very mild and manageable. My stools were often loose but not diarrhea. You do have to be careful not to take anything that might affect the medication's strength. Simple things like antacids can lessen the effectiveness of Harvoni. I was taking Prilosec for acid reflux and was told that this medication would also affect it."

• Jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I have had Hep C for over 15 years and never treated. Genotype 4. I took Harvoni with Ribavirin for 12 weeks, and after the first 8, my viral load was negative. It feels good. After the first month, my skin tone came back to olive and not pasty white like before. I had diarrhea and insomnia, with nausea and very tired. It was well worth the symptoms to be free of this virus. I go back for my blood work in 2 1/2 months to see if I have been cured, but I am positive the results will be excellent. This is a miracle cure, and I feel very grateful to be able to receive it."

• fee...
• May 20, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Day 6 on Harvoni. Headache problems, but a Motrin 800 and it really helps! Sleeping is not good as well, soft stools, and more anxiety than normal, thinking it is more in my head because I have never taken this. My emotions are higher than I would like them to be and also feel weak at times. I’m sure it is due to my lack of appetite. On the heels of that, I will start eating better. I feel blessed to know that this will be over soon, and I have heard many worse side effects. Whoever is going through this, I encourage you to stay with it! You can always lay down if you do not feel well. God bless you all, stay positive!"

• Nod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I'm 16 doses into a 12-week regimen. I take the drug at 5 pm, I eat about 4 hours before. If I don't, extreme stomach cramps and diarrhea, this will last for about 2 hours. Soreness in legs, armpits, and arms, foggy, and fatigue easily. I will get my first blood work results on Monday. Sleepy in about 2 hours after I take it, and I have insomnia. I do not have a great appetite anymore. I'm 65 years old and retired. I don't work, so I have the luxury of taking it easy. I don't know how I got it. It's been ticking in me for about 20 years that I know of. I will let you know about my blood work. Good luck everyone and hang in there because it does work."

• maz...
• July 8, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I'm 63 years old. I believe I got hep C in either the US Army because they used the air gun to give you medication, or from my tattoos that I also got at that time. I was told by my doctor 25 years ago from a blood test that I was positive for non-A, non-B hep. I take pretty good care of myself. I work in trades, so you have to keep in shape. From the point I found out, I've been taking blood tests twice a year and never had a problem. About 5 months ago, my doctor told me my numbers were really high. I started taking it 2 months ago. The first 2 weeks, I got the runs every other day. Also, because I work outside, I was getting queasy from the sun. The runs started going away after 4 weeks, but then I started getting headaches and feeling tired. It felt like somebody pulled the plug."

• Kin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I was put on an 8-week course of Harvoni. I only have 12 days to go. My side effects started on the first day of treatment. Severe rash from waist down. Red, raised areas. Gone after four days. Heartburn like mad, every day. Diarrhea has been pretty constant. During this second month of treatment, my side effects have worsened. I have had a lot of bloating, and my blood pressure is quite high. I have had anger and rages that feel like my head is going to pop. I will be glad to have blood work and see if Hep C is cured. I will NOT give up the medicine because of these side effects! Harvoni is my hope! Hep C contracted in 1978 and diagnosed in 1998. No other treatment besides Harvoni."

• Lbl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2016

For Hepatitis C "This is day 3 for me, I just found out I had Hep C about a year or so ago. I have had it for about 30 years. I never had any problems due to this virus, never even thought to be tested for it. I found many of my old friends on Facebook and was informed I better get checked. Well, I did, and I have it. It took me about 6 months to be approved by my insurance. I have only had slight headaches, and today had diarrhea. I already have problems sleeping, so I do use a sleep aid. I would like to thank everyone who has shared their story! I am on an eight-week program, and reading such positive outcomes really helps. I am hoping I do not get any more side effects, however, even if I do, it is so worth it! I am only 52, and I love life!"

• La6...
• March 19, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I have been taking Harvoni for 2 weeks. I am on the 8-week dose, and so far, it's a piece of cake. All I notice is a mild tummy upset and diarrhea, but it's nothing I can't put up with 8 weeks in order to be rid of Hep C. I will come back a month in and then at the end of my treatment to update."

• exe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I took this drug as prescribed 1 pill once a day for 24 weeks. I did not have any side effects, a true miracle drug. I have taken two other forms of treatments, and the side effects were unbelievably bad and results were nothing! Except for having daily diarrhea for nine months and a heart attack, which left me with A-fib of my heart."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I waited for 14 months after a positive HCV 1a, stage 2 viral load 3,700,000 to 4,700,000 in 12 months. Waited for a good balance for blood pressure. Quit alcohol. Been clean and sober for 14+ months, had a liver ultrasound. Started Harvoni 6 weeks ago. 8-week treatment. At the 4-week checkup, viral load was undetectable!!!!! Some typical side effects: occasional fatigue, loose stool, take trazodone for insomnia. Best way to have a real successful treatment: NO alcohol. Get clean and stay that way. Harvoni is the answer to cure HEP!"

• BEN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I started a 12-week Harvoni/ribavirin treatment 5 weeks ago. 2 years ago, after 6 months of the triple treatment (Incivek), my Hep C came back! Compared to the triple treatment, this is a breeze. Headaches for the first week or two, loose stools, muscle aches, and slight insomnia. I've actually gained a couple of lbs!? I feel the side effects so little it makes me wonder if it's working? The triple treatment is SO harsh it 'feels' like it's working. Maybe I'm just feeling guilt, I'm not in more pain this time."

• Too...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I took my first pill today. I was happy when it arrived to start treatment. Although I have been reading material, independent studies, and message boards, I became scared. Having led a healthy lifestyle, I had no idea about Hep C. I have nausea so badly I couldn’t move, dehydrated from diarrhea and vomiting. Every muscle hurts, I can’t get comfortable, I'm dizzy and feel like I’m in a fog, crazy headache. I know my body, this med is too strong and hasn’t been out long enough to determine what or if the long-term effects are. My day was awful, and I couldn’t go to my doctor's appointment today, and this is day one! I know when I call tomorrow they will ask me to switch to nighttime, but I can’t take this for another day. This drug was pushed out and jammed down people's throats too soon. I was told nothing would affect me like that because of my low count and healthy lifestyle!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I'm only rating this a 9 because of a few side effects...mostly in the beginning. Stomach aches and TMI loose bowels. After about 6 weeks, Hep C wasn't detected in my blood anymore. I have about 3 weeks left of this treatment. My energy comes and goes, but I have depression, so I'm on other meds. I feel as if they don't interact well with the Harvoni...but finishing this treatment is my goal. I will be tested when I'm done and then a few months afterwards. I'm very thankful."

• scr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2016

For Hepatitis C "DAY ONE: First dose @ 7 AM today. Minimal side effects. Weakness, fatigue toward evening. Gas. Diarrhea. Insomnia has been ongoing for approximately 3 years. Treatment naive. Type 1a. Fibrosis; 11/10/2015 -- 7.7 kPa F2 Baseline SCr: 0.8 mg/dL CrCl: 76 ml/min"

• me-...
• March 26, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I started my treatment two weeks ago. The first three days I could not sleep, and I had diarrhea. Now, I have so much energy, and the side effects are gone. I am so happy to be on this medicine."

• Ann...
• July 1, 2015

For Hepatitis C "Side effects experienced: nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, depression."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2018

For Hepatitis C "More than a year after my treatment, I'm still cleared and am so thankful for this treatment! 8-week regimen with only slight diarrhea towards the end, but all well worth it!"