Epclusa and Nausea: What Users Say

• Rod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I just want people to know that when the Epclusa is killing the Hep C virus in your body, you're probably going to feel a little nausea. The virus is multiplying millions of times in your body - there's a war between the Epclusa and the Hep C. Just hang in there, you'll be glad when the 12 weeks are over. God bless."

• The...
• November 10, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I am Genotype 1a, 59 years old, male, active, and otherwise healthy. I was diagnosed in 1995 but have not really suffered any ill effects of the virus other than mild liver enzyme imbalance. All of my FibroScans over the years have shown only minimal scarring. My doctor says Epclusa is a 'perfect fit' for my situation. I’m just starting my fifth week of treatment, with no missed doses. As for side effects, I’m putting 'extreme fatigue' at the very top of my list. Nausea, headache, and diarrhea come and go a bit, but the fatigue and achy joints are up there. But it is absolutely the right choice, no matter the annoyance of these temporary yet fruitful ill effects. I say hang in there and enjoy the added years to your life. Love to all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2019

For Hepatitis C "The first 3 weeks of using Epclusa was insane... I was incredibly tired & nauseous. Like a mix of morning sickness and the worst hangover of your life. I used the comfort meds for the entire 90-day ordeal. However, now 3 months after my treatment I am still hep-free, and am living a normal healthy life. I have no lingering side effects. Mentally, it was refreshing... like the last trace of damage I had done while being in active addiction had been erased. Like I now have a clean slate. It has been an incredible gift, despite the 90 days of wanting to throw up. I would 100% do it again. It was worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2019

For Hepatitis C "The first 3 weeks of using Epclusa was insane... I was incredibly tired & nauseous. Like a mix of morning sickness and the worst hangover of your life. I used the comfort meds for the entire 90-day ordeal. However, now 3 months after my treatment I am still hep-free, and am living a normal healthy life. I have no lingering side effects. Mentally, it was refreshing... like the last trace of damage I had done while being in active addiction had been erased. Like I now have a clean slate. It has been an incredible gift, despite the 90 days of wanting to throw up. I would 100% do it again. It was worth it."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2022

For Hepatitis C "I've not been the same since taking this horrible drug. I asked about the side effects before deciding to take it and was told only temporary headache, nausea, etc. What they did not mention was the permanent irritability and/or depression. No good feeling ever. It's been almost 3 years. I did not take the 3rd month as these effects were too severe. Did it cure my new Hep C? I don't know, and frankly, don't care. Please be wary of new drugs and try to find all the 'post-market side effects.'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2019

For Hepatitis C "65-year-old Geno 3. It is 6 months since I finished Epclusa, and I have a loss of hearing in my right ear, nausea, numb fingers, and can't sleep. I got rid of the virus, but I really did feel better BEFORE I did the treatment. Liver clinic and doctors are no help whatsoever, no one seems to know anything except that these horrible feelings won't be going away, and I feel like a guinea pig. I can't get any help, no one cares. Gilead makes money. I had this treatment here in Australia."

• Say...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I was taking it in the morning, and that isn’t a good idea. I felt sick all day long 'til about 4 pm, then I got my energy back, so I take it at night now. I do have insomnia, but it’s getting better. I started it on Aug 19, 2019. The brain fog is getting worse as I take the medication. Drink lots of water or I get a sick feeling and nauseous. My joint pain and fatigue are better. My eyes turn blue about 20 minutes after taking the medication, and I get this odd feeling all through my body after I take it. I only say it’s like you feel the medication working on fighting the virus. I have had depression just start 9-10-2019. I can say I feel more there except when the brain fog kicks in, and I have serious worry it won’t go away. My lymph nodes are swollen, but they are going down. I’m glad I finally got to fight this virus, I honestly can’t wait for these 12 weeks to be over."

• Fre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I have been taking Epclusa now for 4 weeks, and the main side effects are as they say: nausea (but haven’t actually thrown up, just a strong feeling) and extreme tiredness (you’ll sleep for a couple of days if you're not on a schedule). Your fluid intake needs to double with this medication!! I’ve been having diarrhea, and it is very easy to get dehydrated, which can cause other problems. Other side effects have been tolerable. I have genotype 1a chronic hepatitis C. And before taking this medicine, I was very weak, and the brain fog was so extreme it had me depressed. Now the cloud is starting to clear, and my strength is coming back too. I too was nervous about taking it, as we all are, but it is worth it to me so I can have a fresh start. Good luck!!!"

• DoT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2022

For Hepatitis C "I started taking Epclusa about a year and a half ago, and the symptoms have still not gone away. I have this horrible dysphoric restlessness in my legs, which causes me to rapidly cross and uncross my legs while crying out, “Oh God, please take it away” over and over again. Plus, my stomach feels funny, and I’m nauseous all the time. My hands and feet feel tingly, and I’m extremely depressed all the time. It feels as though my hormones are unbalanced, and the restlessness in my leg feels like I am withdrawing off of opiates or benzos x10. The doctors just say that Epclusa couldn’t have caused this. I feel as though I’m doomed for life."

• Gra...
• September 20, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I’m on my fourth day. So far, no side effects, no headache, fatigue, nausea, insomnia, or diarrhea, nothing. I put this off after my trip thinking I was going to feel terrible after reading all the reviews. Maybe it’s too soon to tell, I’ll update later."

• Hpa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I was tired before with Hep C, but on Epclusa this is exhausting to a whole new level. I've had migraines, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. For a month of taking it, it was causing asthma exacerbation along with thrush. The thrush was horrible. I have five weeks left, and I am looking forward to feeling better. My color came back, and during the second month, I have had good days where I've had energy. I didn't have that before. I also broke out in a rash like shingles and scabies mixed on my neck and arms. I refuse to stop taking it though. The shortness of breath is better than the first month. I have ringing in the ears a lot. My blood pressure is higher than usual. My body is usually aching. The exhaustion from it is the worst because I have never felt so tired in my whole life."

• Sex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I’m a 37-year-old female. I have been on Epclusa for 5 days, and I have missed almost every day I’ve had to work. I have literally slept the whole time. I really hope this sleepy and nauseous feeling goes away! I’m going to lose my job as I’m so tired I can hardly write this! I’ve been drinking tons of water. I’ll let everyone know how I am later if I’m awake to tell you."

• Gyp...
• February 13, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I was diagnosed with Hep C on 12/19/18. My healthcare provider was just as shocked as I was, no history of INDU or IVDU, no blood transfusions. Never had any blood work with elevated liver numbers or anything to cause concern. Several tattoos and piercings done in my youth could be a source, and shared grooming tools with an ex-partner. Specialist said I’ve most likely been infected 5-10 years. I have genotype 1A, a viral load of 1.5 million. I’ve been taking Epclusa for 7 days. I read most of the user reviews on this blog and was somewhat skeptical about starting. The success rate of being cured far outweighs any doubt I have. The only side effects thus far have been nausea (waves within an hour), headache (I then followed the increased water intake advice, which seems to help), and unusual tiredness (increases each day), and the strangest effect: I have lost my sense of taste! It’s maddening. All of these symptoms/effects are tolerable."

• Mr ...
• May 11, 2021

For Hepatitis C "Took Epclusa mid-2018, had no Hep C symptoms, went to the doctor for a stomach ache. Test showed Hep C, no liver damage. Felt sick every day taking Epclusa, my side effects are nausea, headache, fatigue, body aches. Doctor said keep taking it. Hep C was cleared, but now, three years later, I am so ill. I am in so much pain all over, it hurts to move. I also have nausea, weight loss, sleep issues, the list goes on. I was not sick like this before Epclusa, but it's been like this since I took this medication. Been told I have fibromyalgia. All I know is this medication has ruined my life, and I live with extreme pain every day. If I could go back, I would never have taken it."

• Ble...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I’m on week 6 of Epclusa, and other than the hair loss (I had ever since getting hep C almost a year ago) and ears ringing, it’s not been bad for me at all. My first checkup, my liver enzymes are back to normal, and HCV is undetected. (Genotype 3, which is the hardest to treat), so I was so nervous about this not working. Hope it stays negative! I haven’t experienced any nausea, and I take it in the morning without food. Will update later once I’m further into treatment."

• Emm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2023

For Hepatitis C "Day 15 of taking Epclusa, and I am stopping treatment. On day 1, I began with a sulfur and metallic taste when the medication was being ingested. Day 2 was a massive headache with nausea. On day 3, I decided to investigate Epclusa ingredients. I discovered a mix of basalt, high levels of a variety of different salts, magnesium stearate, talc, and titanium that are researched on the spleens of laboratory rats."

• Car...
• March 12, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I have genotype 1B (whatever that means) of Hep C. I'm 63 years young and found out 28 yrs. ago that I had Hep C. I've been on the treatment for 12 days. I've had some nausea along with some diarrhea. The worst part is fatigue, brain fog (big time), or is it depression? I do suffer from situational depression, so it could be that. Loss of appetite and weakness and very dry mouth. It's been such a short while, and I'm afraid of what's to come."

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

For Hepatitis C "I am on month two. It has been very rough. A lot of nausea, diarrhea, night sweats, flu-like symptoms, insomnia, chest pain, blisters on the inside of my mouth, itchy skin, hot flashes... it hasn't gotten any better. I am forever grateful though. I am diagnosed with genotype 3A. I am still in F1 but almost F2 (mild scarring). I was denied treatment for 4 years or so, and they finally approved me. I don't care what I go through now, as long as I am hep C free. My last labs are almost clear of hep C. Keep fighting!!!"

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2021

For Hepatitis C "I am a 46-year-old woman, and I have had Hep C genotype 4A for 29 years, with thankfully very little liver damage so far (it probably helps that I quit drinking 25 years ago). Tonight is my sixth night since starting the Epclusa—I had bizarrely dry lips the first two days despite drinking copious amounts of water (so dry they sort of tingled), but that seems to have passed. My main side effects so far are terribly raging mood swings and tiredness. But also I have a 16-month-old toddler, and we are living in a pandemic, and I work a pretty taxing job, so... who knows! I also just got a Covid vaccine three days ago, and there is definitely no data whether that might also be contributing. No other side effects so far, which is great because I was very worried about headaches and nausea. Feeling very grateful we all get to try this rather than the horrors of interferon. Will report back whether anything changes with the moodiness/fatigue."

• Xju...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2018

For Hepatitis C "I have hep C genotype 2b, viral load over 10 million. I started Epclusa 4 days ago. I was really excited, as for the first two days I had absolutely no side effects. Now, relentless overproduction of stomach acid. My stomach is on fire, and I feel like I want to throw up all the time. I pray this goes away. I was an IV drug user for over 20 years and an alcoholic. I walked away from both of those deadly habits. Now I just want to get rid of this horrible virus."

• H j...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I did the 12-week treatment of Epclusa. I am genotype 2. I started with 12,000,000 million, I am now hep C free. I have one more blood test left at the 3-month blood test. Anyway, here lately I have been feeling bad headaches, a rash, nauseated, and I'm just not sure what could be going on. Has anyone else had side effects even after taking the meds? During the treatment, it wasn't terribly bad, and I had some really good days as well."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I've had hep C since 1994, and in 2010, I did the interferon, and it damn near killed me. Then, two years ago, I did the Vicaire pack, and it made my body swell up so bad that I had to be admitted into the hospital five different times for five days at a time. So I just started the Epclusa, I am two months into it, and I am undetected. At first, the only side effect I had was nausea, but now I'm extremely tired, and I'm having a lot of pain around where my liver sits, at the front side to back. But other than that, the medication is working great. I think I got about a month and a week left, something like that, I'll be done with my treatment March 1st. I've been on it since the end of November. I would highly recommend this medication for Hep C patients, this is the third one that I've tried and the only one that I've had success with so far."

• Mar...
• February 22, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I have hep C genotype 1, and I've had it for many years, I assume. Found out 13 years ago, but suspect I have had it for over 20. I have wanted treatment for many years, but raising a family and homeschooling my children, I just couldn't imagine feeling like I have the flu for a year. I'm so thankful for this medicine. I've had headaches and tiredness, some nausea, but I also have many great days with lots of energy. I have 29 more days to go, and I'm so thankful and excited about having this wonderful opportunity to get rid of this and only having to pay a $5 copayment. I am 53. Today is 2/22/17."

• Ilo...
• April 5, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I've had Hep C for 42 years, unknown to me. Had an ocular migraine and ended up in the hospital to find I had low platelets, which led to Hep C diagnosis. First month sick as can be: nausea, headache, fatigue, and insomnia. But after 4 weeks, no Hep C detected! I'm almost done with my second month, and symptoms wax and wane-mostly nausea and fatigue. Hoping that after the next month, my results are still perfect and that I am cured."

• My ...
• July 3, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I called it my million-dollar medicine for the first two weeks, then the side effects started: ears ringing, weakness, headache, nausea. Keep on with the commitment to finish the 12 weeks and started calling it my poison. Yes, I took my poison, it had killed the virus so far, 6 weeks out, but I'm still not to full energy yet, so I pray."