Harvoni and Tiredness: What Users Say

• gir...
• June 11, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I took Harvoni for 3 months, missing only 1 dose which I made up quickly. No side effects at all. Tiredness was equal to tiredness prior to taking. I received my 2-month blood test after treatment & I AM CURED!! Thanks to my doctor & his nurse & the manufacturer & the good Lord above."

• 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?"

• Pab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I started Harvoni on 2/23/15. I'm on my 6th week. The side effects are headaches, brain fog, body ache, and tiredness. My first lab results I received on 4/1/15, my doctor read the report to me, and it showed no detection of Hep C. I was so excited, I hugged my doctor. I had Hep C for 30 years. I've tried other treatments, and they failed. When I started Harvoni on 2/23/15, my Hep C levels were over ten million. I have 6 more weeks left to go with treatment. I'm getting through this by pushing myself and being active, it's very hard, but you have to push. That's how I'm overcoming the side effects. Thank you, Gilead, for making this drug possible and effective for a cure for Hep C."

• KJ ...
• March 31, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I've been on Harvoni for one week. The side effects have been a slight headache but severe exhaustion. I'm so tired I can't think. I hope that ends soon so I don't become a couch potato over the next eleven weeks. Regardless of the tiredness, I'm so grateful for this medicine. Over the years, I was told Hep C had no symptoms, but now I know better, as the many symptoms I suffered are slowly subsiding."

• Anonymous
• February 23, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I contacted Hep C sometime between 1970-1985, so I had it for a long time before I knew I was infected. I tried 1 round of treatment, but it did not clear the virus, and I was really tired and cranky all the time. I completed the Harvoni treatment this past May, and when I did the follow-up in October, I was still virus-free. The only side effect I noticed was about 9 days after I started it. I felt like I had more energy than I'd had for the last 10 years!"

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I am on the Harvoni treatment, starting my second month of 3, and so far my only side effects are the headache and feeling tired at times, both quite tolerable, anxious to hear my blood results from month one... Thank you, Harvoni."

• Yip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2016

For Hepatitis C "To be completely honest, I have only been on it a week. The first thing I noticed is at bedtime I became really tired, or fatigued. Just tired!! I am hoping these are the only things that distress me. I mean, come on, people, hep C will kill you in a horrible way. What is wrong with a little discomfort for a short period of time to save your life? Be positive, pray to God above, and thank Him for your healing."

• Bob...
• July 20, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Well, I can't say that it was easy. The thing that bothered me most was lack of sleep. Being tired all the time didn't help either. I have 1 pill left and I'm glad it is over. I am 63 years old and retired 5 years ago because of Hep C. At week 4, it was undetectable. Had to take it for 12 weeks. I am a Vietnam era vet, so that is probably where I caught it. If I am truly cured, then the first thing I am going to do is go back to work. Retirement is very boring, and now that I have all of this energy, I am sure that I would go nuts. Some people had no side effects, as you can see, I was not among the lucky ones. It was worth the torment to be free of Hep C."

• Tho...
• February 10, 2015

For Hepatitis C "Started this month, get headaches and am tired. Had a liver transplant in July 2014, and have had recurring ascites, getting tapped 2 x a week. It has almost stopped. Keeping fingers crossed. Very expensive, thank God for Tricare."

• Out...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I started Harvoni 10 days ago. Feeling good in the morning and then I fizzle out. By nighttime, 8 p.m., I'm completely exhausted. 63 years old, but that's not that old. I was told by the nurses who called to check on me, DRINK lots of water. No antacids - if necessary, 4 hrs before the pill or 4 hrs after the pill. Not touching them. No upset stomach, mild headache, but the tiredness is a killer. They told me to 'hang in there,' and believe me, I will!! This has been a blessing. Didn't even know I had Hep C, and the doc told me, you usually don't until something else goes wrong with you. Stick with it, all you people ~ as difficult as it may seem. Can't wait for the blood test!!! Even if it's undetectable, I was told you have to finish the treatment!!"

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I am on day 12 of taking Harvoni. I have had hep C 1b for over 30 years. I never knew my real self. At days 1-3, I felt tired, fatigued, irritable, had headaches, and brain fog. Felt the same as I always had. Started noticing changes on day 4: increased energy, could see the whites of my eyes instead of a murky brown-yellow, skin looking better. Relapsed on day 7, started to feel tired, had to sleep after eating lunch, no energy. Days 8-13, feel amazing, no joint pains, feel 10 years younger, brain active, eyes alert, glassy, yellowing almost gone. Palms of my hands were always bright red right up to my fingertips, seeing patches of white through the redness, redness starting to fade a little each day. Thank you, God, and the minds behind Harvoni."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I am on day 12 of taking Harvoni. I have had hep C 1b for over 30 years. I never knew my real self. At days 1-3, I felt tired, fatigued, irritable, had headaches, and brain fog. Felt the same as I always had. Started noticing changes on day 4: increased energy, could see the whites of my eyes instead of a murky brown-yellow, skin looking better. Relapsed on day 7, started to feel tired, had to sleep after eating lunch, no energy. Days 8-13, feel amazing, no joint pains, feel 10 years younger, brain active, eyes alert, glassy, yellowing almost gone. Palms of my hands were always bright red right up to my fingertips, seeing patches of white through the redness, redness starting to fade a little each day. Thank you, God, and the minds behind Harvoni."

• 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."

• jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Thanks so much for sharing your stories. Glad to hear I am not the only one with sides and appear to be all over the place with most people and alleviate here and there. So there is hope yet. Into my second day and feel ghastly. Threw up today 4 hours after taking the pill. The nausea got me. If this occurs within 5 hours of taking a pill, you are supposed to take another one. Not this chick! Sides kicked in first day. Muscle/joint pain, yuk taste in mouth, no appetite, insomnia, nausea, mild headache, exhaustion, weakness. I've been languishing in bed for 1 and 1/2 days. Am female Australian, 65 years old, 55 kg and 5 feet tall. I believe the smaller you are the harder treatment is or else I am just super sensitive...jilly"

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2015

For Hepatitis C "I went through 3 treatments with the Pegasys medicines, once with a 3rd drug added - with no success. I was diagnosed in 1997. I had no physical effects for most of that time. The Pegasys (I believe the ribavirin was the hard part) really kicked my rear end, my skin was pale and pasty looking. I began Harvoni March 20. I am now approaching the one-month mark. The only side effect, which is minor, is I have been tired a lot. I had been getting that way about 4 months before I started Harvoni. Since then I have been feeling a bit less energetic. But at the same time, my appetite has improved dramatically. I didn't have much of an appetite before the treatment, now my appetite is back to normal."

• Sob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 22, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I am thankful I went on this drug. The only side effects I experienced were feeling tired and weak the first month. After that, I felt so good. Never did I get sick once. I even had more energy than I had before I started this treatment. My treatment lasted for 16 weeks. I hope this will encourage others to get treatment. You will live in peace knowing you are cured of this terrible disease."

• you...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2017

For Hepatitis C "10 weeks and cured of Hep C. Side effects were tiredness, loss of appetite, uncontrollable chills, weight loss, weakness. It's been 5 months after treatment, and now my 25 lb weight loss is permanent. I take oxycodone for the pain in my bones and back. Lost eyesight in one eye. My Hep C is gone, but my health is also gone."

• Au_...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I only just picked up the prescription today and just wanted to say that I was feeling nervous about side effects, but after reading quite a few of your stories, I am now feeling very positive. My specialist is in the Gastroenterology Dept. at the hospital, and the hospital pharmacy supplied them, no cost whatsoever. It's a 12-week course. I thought this tiredness, lack of energy, lack of concentration, and the feeling of a foggy brain were from depression, now after reading your stories, I realize it's from the Hep C. I am so happy to read that all those symptoms disappear while taking Harvoni and that people are now cured. Looking forward to reading more positive stories and watching mine and others' progress."

• pan...
• August 13, 2015

For Hepatitis C "Today is day 84, my last day on Harvoni. I had lab work done at 25 days, which came back detectable. Then at day 74, labs again. The last lab came back undetectable. However, my doctor wants me to take another 12 weeks due to having cryoglobulins. The only side effect I've felt was being more tired than I already was. Basically no side effects."

• 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."

• Ela...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I had Hepatitis C 1A at a level 2. I was not experiencing many effects except becoming fatigued occasionally. I had limited side effect of being somewhat tired and forgetfulness during my work. It was not extreme. I am very happy to be cured."

• JPa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I took Harvoni 3 years ago for 8 weeks. Yes, during the treatment I did have some tiredness, but it was worth it. Hep C gone and no longer a threat. I've had no other side effects since. I'm good with it."

• 201...
• May 19, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I was one of the first to go on Harvoni following FDA approval. I did 12 weeks from Dec 2014 to Feb 2015. Only mild tiredness, nothing else while taking it. Have been clear since. I was diagnosed in 1997 and did not want the treatments at that time or until Harvoni came on the scene. I believe I had it many years before being diagnosed, and the blood count kept rising as the years went by. Glad I played the waiting game."

• Non...
• January 25, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I took Harvoni when it came out in 2014. I was 30 years old, my viral load was 54,000. I took Harvoni for 3 months, and the virus was gone. Cured! No side effects! Great, I thought! WRONG! 6 years later, the virus came back with a viral load, this time it was 800,000. I quit my job and started treatment AGAIN, except this time it's 6 months. I'm on month 4, and let me tell you, the reason I had no side effects during the first treatment was because I was on pain medication. Now that I'm not on pain meds, it's tough to cope. Every night since the first week, I wake up with night sweats. I quit working out because I have NO ENERGY. I used to eat 5 times a day, but it takes my appetite away, so I force myself to eat. I take Harvoni at night because if I take it in the morning, I'll be tired and groggy during the day. I got acne, too. I lost 18 lbs. Harvoni costs $50,000 a bottle here in the USA, yet in India, it's only $120 a bottle."

• Dip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2016

For Hepatitis C "Checking in after 4 weeks on Harvoni, I'm feeling pretty good. Some days I feel really tired, and some days I just feel odd, but feel okay. Had blood tests, and my ALT levels are on the lower side of normal, and I'm happy about that. Viral load results not in yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I have them. So far, so good, 8 weeks to go."