Ledipasvir / sofosbuvir and Depression: What Users Say

• tat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2017

For Hepatitis C "It's 10 months post-Harvoni. Trust me when I say I felt better when I had Hep C, like 100% better taking my supplements, minerals, vitamins, herbs, spices. Never once in 15 years did my viral load reach over 40,000. I felt fine, to be honest. Yes, I said 40,000, nothing really for Gen type 1a. Now, 10 months post-Harvoni, it's over-the-top anxiety, really bad eyesight, itching 24/7, depression, vertigo, dizziness, head fog is constant, as is insomnia. I feel like I'm going nuts. There are plenty of sites on the net with folk in the same situation as me, if not worse. People are getting sick taking this toxic stuff."

• Min...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Took my last pill of 8 weeks yesterday. YAAAY! Labs done today. Glad this part of the journey is over. Hoping that I can get back to myself. Though I am grateful, I really wish I would have waited to make a more informal decision about some of the side effects that are not listed. They hit me pretty hard in the last few weeks. As a person who suffered with depression, it really almost wiped me out. I was told that the side effects are minimal, but it varies from person to person. Some of us suffer more than others."

• MsN...
• February 13, 2017

For Hepatitis C "One month post-treatment of 8 weeks. I had quite a few side effects, the mood swings, insomnia, and depression were the worst. However, it was well worth it. My side effects wore off 2 weeks ago. I CAN'T STRESS IT ENOUGH, A WHOLE LOT OF WATER MINIMIZES THOSE SIDES. This was especially hard for me because, actually, I don't like water, but I had to drink plenty, and it worked 95% of the time. Unlike others, I actually lost weight due to the loss of appetite. Before treatment, I had the same problem. I said that to say it's different for some people. Just in case you happen to experience the side effects. Don't be discouraged, you never know how strong you are until you go through it. IT'S WORTH IT, I'M NEGATIVE FOR THE VIRUS."

• top...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 18, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I had Hepatitis C for 20 years. I took Harvoni for six months. Hepatitis C virus undetected. Two weeks later, gained 29 lbs! I lost my motivation to do everyday chores. Three and a half years later, I am in a deep depression so bad that all I want to do is shut the world out, sleep all the time, find no joy in life. I feel apathetic every day. Is this from Harvoni, or is it just chronic depression?"

• Cap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Male, 68 yrs old. Have had Hep C for 40 yrs, known and felt its effects for over 20 yrs. Positive lifestyle changes in 2015 with wife's cancer brought better health to me, unfortunately, not to her. She died at the end of 2016. Eight weeks of Harvoni in 2018 was all that was needed to end my nightmare with Hep C. After the first week, I immediately began to see results. No more periods of extreme fatigue. Cloudy confusion began to clear. Depression, of course. Hair loss, you bet. Anger, why not? Plenty of other stuff can be added, but I will not blame this drug that has ended my anxious outlook on the future. There were too many other things going on in my life that contributed to that aspect. One thing is for certain, though. I don't have to be concerned anymore about what this virus is doing to my organs. I am confident that I will die of something else. Thanks, Harvoni. Hep C free for one year."

• She...
• March 24, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I had Hepatitis C for 20 years. I took Harvoni for six months with no side effects even worth mentioning. I usually get every side effect mentioned when it comes to man-made drugs, so Harvoni was an absolute miracle drug in eradicating the Hep C virus. My biggest shock was I gained 20 lbs in two weeks after the completion of Harvoni and lost all motivation to do anything. Over three years later, I barely have the energy to wash my face or brush my teeth. Absolute deep chronic depression, worse than anything I ever suffered in my life. I suffered from depression for a good part of my life, but nothing like this. Everything I used to do without even thinking about it overwhelms me so much I just want to shut down."

• She...
• March 24, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I had Hepatitis C for 20 years. I took Harvoni for six months with no side effects even worth mentioning. I usually get every side effect mentioned when it comes to man-made drugs, so Harvoni was an absolute miracle drug in eradicating the Hep C virus. My biggest shock was I gained 20 lbs in two weeks after the completion of Harvoni and lost all motivation to do anything. Over three years later, I barely have the energy to wash my face or brush my teeth. Absolute deep chronic depression, worse than anything I ever suffered in my life. I suffered from depression for a good part of my life, but nothing like this. Everything I used to do without even thinking about it overwhelms me so much I just want to shut down."

• Ang...
• September 13, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I found out I had hepatitis C, and when I went to the doctor, I was put on a free clinical trial of Harvoni. I had no liver damage and had only been exposed a year before this. I was told it had little to no side effects and would cure my hep C, which was true. This was back in 2015, it is now September of 2019. I've had two back surgeries. Unbelievable pain every day. I am so unhappy and wish I had never taken this medicine. I've had chronic pain in my joints and muscle aches, especially in my back. I just want people to understand that there is very little known about the long-term side effects of this medication and yes, it will cure your hepatitis C, but I believe that it also has some side effects that may or may not affect certain people. Two years post-treatment, I'm dealing with a lot of pain every day, depression, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, pressure and fullness in my chest, headaches, and overall my quality of life is terrible. I have never felt this bad, and I know it's because of this poison."

• sha...
• April 29, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I have been on Harvoni for 8 weeks now. The first set of blood work was negative, fingers crossed tomorrow when I do the second set. Four more weeks to go. I am stage 3-4, genotype 1a. I've been on two different treatments, both failed. I have had side effects: headaches, mood swings, depression, and fatigue. But it is worth it if I am clear of Hep C. I am very grateful, I fought my insurance company for a year to get Harvoni."

• Sno...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2017

For Hepatitis C "Was diagnosed with Hep C in 2015 and started Harvoni a few months later... Shortly after starting, I experienced hair loss, severe depression... skin issues, severe dehydration even though I was drinking tons of water, also memory issues. When I reported this, I was told these were not reported side effects, but if they were, would clear up after treatment was over. Well, it has been a year, and I still have terribly dry skin and feel terrible, muscle aches, tiredness, and I was doing half marathons and felt great before. My skin has aged terribly, memory issues, still feel dried out all the time, all of which I never had before treatment. Although I am cleared of the virus, I wish I had never taken Harvoni. I feel it has ruined my life."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Do not fool yourself into thinking this is a miracle drug. I'm on my fourth week out of 12 weeks of treatment. I am EXTREMELY weak, depressed, all of my joints ache, stomach issues, and irritability I have never felt in my life, also rage. I won't stop treatment, because I don't want this disease to destroy me, just please don't fool yourself. I mean, it's different for everyone, but it's been awful for me. I wish everyone the best."

• Shi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I took it for 12 weeks, finished around October 2015! I started getting short-tempered and severe short-term memory loss and depression! I cleared and am glad I took it, but very upset about my mental state. I was cleared around 8 weeks! So happy about clearing, but not happy about mental problems. It could be a coincidence, but I do not think so, I never had mental problems before! I still think this medicine works great!"

• Hep...
• June 3, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Been carrying the virus around for 40 years. Starting week 9 of a 12-week treatment. Drug is easy to use, take a pill once a day, that is it. Side effects for me have been: exhaustive tiredness, reduced motivation, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, pain, flatulence, some nausea, a few headaches, blurry vision, inflammatory flares of the GI tract, tinnitus during the flares, bouts of depression, feeling not so much sick as just feeling really low. Can only eat very small portions of anything; also have constipation. Oh, and must mention the weird heightened sense of smell. Symptoms have gradually increased as weeks go by. At first sporadic but now almost daily. I suppose because of the med buildup in my body. It's not a cakewalk, but it's what we've got. Counting down the days until I can begin restoring and healing. Thinking about time at a spa resort to jump-start things, massage, some chiropractic adjustments, etc. as I begin to build back stamina and strength. Good luck and take care!"

• SuC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I had Hep C for 32 years before starting Harvoni. I waited for treatment because I didn't want to stick needles in my belly every day. Started Harvoni in 2017. My viral load qualified me to take the 8-week course of treatment. After reading some of the comments about depression and lack of interest in things, I'm kind of feeling like this is from the Harvoni. I used to walk every day and don't, have lost interest in other hobbies. Some of my eyelashes fell out and haven't grown back in. I have gallstones now I didn't have before. I'm just as tired as I was before treatment but not every day. I'm not sorry for taking it, I just want my life back. Taking $60,000 worth of medicine, there has to be some side effects from it you'd think. I quit wearing mascara because my eyelashes are too short. That's okay though. Good luck to everyone taking."

• SuC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I had Hep C for 32 years before starting Harvoni. I waited for treatment because I didn't want to stick needles in my belly every day. Started Harvoni in 2017. My viral load qualified me to take the 8-week course of treatment. After reading some of the comments about depression and lack of interest in things, I'm kind of feeling like this is from the Harvoni. I used to walk every day and don't, have lost interest in other hobbies. Some of my eyelashes fell out and haven't grown back in. I have gallstones now I didn't have before. I'm just as tired as I was before treatment but not every day. I'm not sorry for taking it, I just want my life back. Taking $60,000 worth of medicine, there has to be some side effects from it you'd think. I quit wearing mascara because my eyelashes are too short. That's okay though. Good luck to everyone taking."

• Tra...
• March 16, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I had genotype 1A, probably been at least 40 years with Hep C. My liver has been stable, but the doctor wanted to begin treatment. I was really hesitant but assured that it was min to no side effects. Wow, did I go for a ride though hell and back. I had severe high blood pressure, I am on blood pressure medication, and it was 188/118. I was seeing spots, vertigo, I felt like I was ready for a stroke. The worst part was the aggression/sadness, I became deeply depressed. Very depressed, so depressed I lost me. It was just awful. The medication is so strong, it just runs through everything. If you have high blood pressure or are on medication, check them before treatment. I am glad I am off. Vertigo and constant headache. Awful stuff."

• Tra...
• March 16, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I had genotype 1A, probably been at least 40 years with Hep C. My liver has been stable, but the doctor wanted to begin treatment. I was really hesitant but assured that it was min to no side effects. Wow, did I go for a ride though hell and back. I had severe high blood pressure, I am on blood pressure medication, and it was 188/118. I was seeing spots, vertigo, I felt like I was ready for a stroke. The worst part was the aggression/sadness, I became deeply depressed. Very depressed, so depressed I lost me. It was just awful. The medication is so strong, it just runs through everything. If you have high blood pressure or are on medication, check them before treatment. I am glad I am off. Vertigo and constant headache. Awful stuff."

• Ann...
• July 1, 2015

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

• ohs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2024

For Hepatitis C "I am feeling better. Suffering from low blood pressure and sadness at times. Nothing really major though."