Can Harvoni cause weight gain?
Harvoni is unlikely to cause weight gain. Weight gain has not been reported as a side effect of Harvoni in clinical trials. However, some individuals have reported weight gain with Harvoni on blog sites (from two to 12 pounds), although weight loss (up to 9 pounds) has been reported as well.
Weight loss is also a common symptom of hepatitis C. For many people, nausea associated with the virus makes it difficult to keep food down. Nausea also causes a loss of appetite, and together these symptoms can cause weight loss.
Once Harvoni treatment has started, symptoms disappear, and the person's appetite comes back and they feel well enough to eat properly again.
What are the side effects of Harvoni?
The most common Harvoni side effects are:
- Fatigue, tiredness, lack of energy
- Headache
- Cough
- Muscle pains
- Shortness of breath
- Irritability
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea.
In addition, reactivation of hepatitis B has been reported in people who have a current or prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection before initiating treatment with Harvoni. In some cases, this has resulted in severe and rapid liver disease, hepatic failure, and death.
References
- Harvoni Prescribing Information https://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/harvoni/harvoni_pi.pdf
- Harvoni Package Insert https://www.gilead.com/-/media/files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/harvoni/harvoni_patient_pi.pdf
- Holt S. What Impact Does Hepatitis C Have on Your Weight? Jan 2019. Hepatitis Central. https://www.hepatitiscentral.com/news/what-impact-does-hepatitis-c-have-on-your-weight/
Read next
What is the difference between hepatitis B and C?
Some of the main differences between hepatitis B and C are:
- Hepatitis B virus can be prevented with a vaccine, but not hepatitis C.
- Hepatitis B and C are different viruses, but you can have both hepatitis B and hepatitis C at the same time.
- Over 90% of people infected with hepatitis C who have not received treatment can be cured with 8 to 12 weeks of oral medications, but treatment for hepatitis B, if needed, may be long-term or lifelong.
- There is no cure for hepatitis B, but once you recover from acute hepatitis B, you develop antibodies that protect you from the virus for life.
What are the new drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C?
The newest drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C include Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir), Vosevi (sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir), and Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir). All are FDA-approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A), as well as other uses. Continue reading
Is Mavyret better than Harvoni?
Mavyret is reported to have some advantages over Harvoni including the number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes it covers, the length of treatment required, and the cost of a course of treatment. Continue reading
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