Sofosbuvir / velpatasvir and Headaches: What Users Say

• Hay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2021

For Hepatitis C "I have finished my first bottle of Epclusa, and am now on week 5 of treatment. So far I’ve had no side effects that I have noticed, because I already had headaches and diarrhea before treatment. I had to stop taking my heartburn medication because of the drug interaction. I will get my first round of blood work this coming week and am very hopeful this medication has worked for me. It has honestly made me feel better about myself as a person. I am 3 years sober of IV Meth use and this was the one thing from my past I was still dragging around… hepatitis. I feel once this is over with I will have completely gained my life back."

• Sto...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2021

For Hepatitis C "I have 5 days left of Epclusa. The first two months I experienced some headaches and tiredness. This 3rd month is really taking a toll on me though. The headaches are worse, and I have no energy. I’ve felt too weak to even go to work for the past week. The worst part is I feel like I’m losing my mind. I don’t know if it’s depression or anxiety or what, but it’s definitely very difficult to function in a normal, healthy way."

• She...
• February 12, 2021

For Hepatitis C "Started Epclusa in March 2019 for Hep C type 2b. I ate small items/meals throughout the day. Stayed hydrated and avoided any caffeine. Took the pill at 6 am with a piece of bread. I was on an extreme health regime while taking it. Didn't experience anything terrible. However, after the treatment was over, any form of caffeine gives me a 3-day migraine. I am more sensitive to all chemicals in food and drink and get headaches easily, including from fructose and sugar in small amounts. Before Epclusa, I only got headaches when trying to cut back on coffee due to caffeine withdrawal. I noticed that my adrenals and emotions seem to escalate quickly. While I am happy that Epclusa cured my hep C, it also significantly changed my life. It is now January 2021, and I still experience these symptoms. I am very hesitant to get the Covid-19 vaccination due to the headache side effect as I fear my head may explode. Hope this information helps someone."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2020

For Hepatitis C "I was an intravenous drug user from age 19 to 32 years old. Clean from all drugs from February 1, 1988, to present. I have had hepatitis from age 19 to 65 years old and 6 weeks on Epclusa with nondetectable test. I had hep C genotype 1A. So grateful for Epclusa. It has allowed me to live longer than expected and 6 more weeks until treatment is completed. Very mild side effects (headache, mood swings, and light depression) so far. At the age of 45 to 50, I did interferon/ribavirin 3 separate times and never was able to finish due to terrible side effects. Epclusa will and is going to save my life. Thanks to everyone that made this happen."

• 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."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2016

For Hepatitis C "I am on week 8 of a 12-week regimen of Epclusa. The first couple of days, I did have a slight headache, but since then, I haven't had any side effects. I had blood work done at week 5. I was already undetectable! Thanks to an Epclusa coupon, my copay is $5! Other side effects include: the whites of my eyes are white again! I have energy like I haven't had in 20 years. My skin is younger-looking. I sleep like a baby. The slight depression that I used to feel from being so tired all the time is gone. I can get out of bed so easily now and feel energized throughout the entire day. It is hard to go to sleep sometimes because I still have so much energy. I am so thankful for this medication. This has given me quality of life again. Thank you, Gilead!"

• Aan...
• January 13, 2021

For Hepatitis C "On my 2nd month with about 7 pills left. 3rd month was denied, but I had to reach out to Gilead, I think it was, and they gave me a coupon. Instead of the $3,700, which I could not pay, it will be 5 bucks for me, thank goodness it worked out. 27 years old, had hep C for about roughly 6 to 7 years. Was just tested 3 days ago, viral load is undetectable. My side effects: Extremely tired, so so so tired. Terrible headaches. Random weird sores. Ringing in ears. Random neck pain. Pain in lower back. Extreme hunger in the morning mixed with extreme sickness. Some diarrhea. Mood swings. Irritability. BRAIN FOG AND CONFUSION IS THE WORST, itchiness. I'm getting it all ways but in the end, it's worth it. Also, I get up at 2 am every day and work about a 10 to 11-hour shift and come home to my baby after and do not get to bed till 8 or 9, so I understand that is a lot on my body while fighting this also. Anyways, hopefully this helps someone stay strong and keep fighting!!"

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I’m on my 34th day of taking Epclusa, a little over 4 weeks. I thought I was going to be sick in my first two weeks, but I wasn’t. Just some tiredness and headaches on and off. Please, don’t worry about Epclusa. For me, it’s been awesome. I wish I had done this forty years ago."

• 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.'"

• Emm...
• July 29, 2022

For Hepatitis C "I started taking this drug, Epclusa, in June 2022, diagnosed & started this drug. Two weeks in, blood tests show negative, great, but noticed straight away I had a weird heartbeat on taking it, a high blood pressure feeling. Also feeling sick, gradually went off food, lost my appetite, so lost weight. By the way, I’m halfway through and I still have no appetite, I’m still losing weight. I get severe headaches and sickness, so I feel like I’m losing my mind. Also, aches, pains, joint pain, head pain, back pain, sore throat. I feel like absolute rubbish. I cannot understand the weight loss, I’ve been reading through these and not once seen weight loss. Am I the only one? Anyway, the point is I feel like I’m dying."

• Emm...
• July 29, 2022

For Hepatitis C "I started taking this drug, Epclusa, in June 2022, diagnosed & started this drug. Two weeks in, blood tests show negative, great, but noticed straight away I had a weird heartbeat on taking it, a high blood pressure feeling. Also feeling sick, gradually went off food, lost my appetite, so lost weight. By the way, I’m halfway through and I still have no appetite, I’m still losing weight. I get severe headaches and sickness, so I feel like I’m losing my mind. Also, aches, pains, joint pain, head pain, back pain, sore throat. I feel like absolute rubbish. I cannot understand the weight loss, I’ve been reading through these and not once seen weight loss. Am I the only one? Anyway, the point is I feel like I’m dying."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I'm 2 weeks off of finishing the Epclusa drug. I'm so exhausted all the time. I hurt all over, even doing nothing leaves me in physical pain and physically exhausted. I was not sick before I started, but have been sick since the first tablet. I have headaches, weird dreams, pain in my feet, pain in my legs, pain in my back. Sleeping only helps for a couple of hours, can barely leave the house. If this doesn't work, I'm never going to take anything else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2019

For Hepatitis C "First couple of days on Epclusa, I had joint pain in elbows and knees. Mild headache in the mornings. Energy same. Week 3, now experiencing swollen neck glands and sore throat. Drinking 4 bottles of water daily. I also take medication before bed. Please share your experience. There's not a lot of info, and the experts are very vague about side effects."

• JAa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I've just started my first pill 3 days ago. I was really scared trying this pill because of the side effects that I've been reading. Day 1 was really bad, headache and felt really tired. Day 2 was a bit better, no headache but still tired. But I realized that I just didn't get enough sleep, that's why I felt tired. Because after I took a nap in the afternoon during day 2, I felt really good. Hopefully, it gets better. I will post more if any more side effects kick in. All in all, I just want to live a healthy life for my wife and kids. Good luck, everyone."

• 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."

• Rei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2019

For Hepatitis C "I was really scared to take the treatment at first but got into it. I have tiredness every day and a few headaches, but manageable. I took it every morning at 9 am for the 12 weeks. I was lucky, I had a very good nurse and pharmacist on my team. Hope I get the all clear on my last blood test in Dec 2019, things are looking good so far. I hope you all have a good journey. Good luck to all."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2019

For Hepatitis C "Three months after finishing Epclusa medication, blisters on body, aches and pains worse. Headaches too. I personally am scared out of my mind. I might be cured of hep C, but Epclusa has caused other issues, and getting well from side effects is another thing. I will update after the last blood test in two weeks, if they let me. I hope you all recovered after the cure."

• 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."

• ama...
• February 26, 2023

For Hepatitis C "I'm on my last 27 days of this medicine. I was told no side effects except for maybe headaches. The longer I've been on it, the worse it's gotten. I cry every day I have to take it, have migraines daily, can't sleep, and when I do, I get awful nightmares. I also am having bad abdominal pains, feeling freezing cold, muscle aches, weakness, shortness of breath, dry mouth, and feeling tired all the time and irritable, feel depressed, and emotionally unstable. I wasn't expecting this. I got blood work done today since the side effects have doubled just this last month. Had no issues feeling sick with my Hepatitis C prior, but my levels were elevated, so I decided to treat it. I think I made a grave mistake."

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

For Hepatitis C "I am into day 36 of 84-day (12 weeks) treatment. An hour after taking my first dose, I could definitely feel the medication coursing through my body. The first 14 days were the worst. Some headache, slight depression. I started feeling much better after 3 weeks. I had blood work done after 30 days, and ALT and AST are way down. I feel much better, and the incredible burning itches I had before treatment started have stopped. It can tire you, but a nap can really help. My appetite has gone through the roof, which is a good thing for me. I am really optimistic about beating this. I have had HCV since the mid-1980s. Here's hoping that the rest of my treatment goes well. Good luck to everyone!"

• ali...
• May 13, 2017

For Hepatitis C "I take my last pill tomorrow. My arm, around the elbow, is hurting real bad. Real, real bad. I felt it about a week into it. I did my 6-week blood test and no sign of the hep C. I hope it stays that way. I'm not sure of my level? 3-4-5? I forgot. It messed with my memory too. I feel confused and not sure of myself. Nothing worse when 500 craft personnel depend on you. I just turned 58. Had this for 20 years, is my guess. I haven't drank alcohol in 3 months. I hope you folks who are starting the program don't either. Never had headaches or diarrhea like everyone says. My arm is killing me. Can hardly do anything with it. I hope this rids this terrible virus. I wish the best for everyone."

• cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2024

For Hepatitis C "Hi, I'm on my last month of Epclusa, and I thought I was the only one to experience these severe side effects! Since I started taking the medication, I itch like crazy and now have a rash on my leg, and the stomach issues, forget about it. The headaches-I've never had such bad headaches in my whole life, and the fatigue and tiredness is unreal. My boss has had to take me home because my body would just not do anything! So, as for having hep C, it's uncanny, let alone having to deal with it. I would not recommend this drug by any means, especially if I have other issues with my liver and/or other organs already."

• 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."

• ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2021

For Hepatitis C "I do not usually Google side effects, etc., for fear of psychosomatic symptoms, but after 6 weeks on the drug, I am losing my mind. It is a relief to read these reviews. Headaches (when I rarely had them prior), absolutely no energy. Weight loss - the nightmare begins when I try to sleep - sleep? LOL - massive insomnia. My feet and hands tingle, resulting in my having to walk around. The tingling disappears when I move. Anxiety, depression, unable to focus - I am on my way to secure a Valium script :("