What Are the Side Effects of Mavyret?

• Mavyret is usually well-tolerated, but it still has a number of possible side effects. They include headache, feeling tired, nausea, and others.

• There are things you can do to manage the possible side effects of Mavyret, such as incorporating certain diet and lifestyle changes when needed. 

Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C causes liver inflammation (swelling). If left untreated, it can lead to complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer. Although some people clear the infection on their own, more than 50% of people develop a chronic infection.

If you live with chronic hepatitis C, there's a chance you may have heard of Mavyret (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir). Mavyret is a combination medication containing two medications inside a single tablet or pellet. It's used to treat chronic hepatitis C in people ages 3 and older. 

When taken as prescribed, it's an effective treatment option that’s often well-tolerated. However, like all medications, it has a number of possible risks and side effects. Thankfully, there are ways to manage these side effects. Knowing what to expect — and how to take action — can help make sure you’re able to take this helpful hepatitis C medication.

Here, we'll learn more about Mavyret and what you can expect if you’re prescribed this medication.

Promotion disclosure

Mavyret

Avg retail price

$10748.05(Save 27.38%)

GoodRx discount

$7805.64

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

What is Mavyret?

Mavyret is a prescription medication that is taken by mouth. It's a combination of two direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications that help the immune system clear HCV. 

It's available in two forms — tablets or pellets. It's FDA-approved to treat all major genotypes of chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis (liver scarring) or with compensated cirrhosis. 

Genotypes are like different strains of HCV. Compensated cirrhosis is an early stage of liver failure where you don’t have symptoms, and the liver is still functioning relatively well. 

Mavyret is also FDA-approved to treat people with HCV genotype 1 infection who had prior therapy that worked the same way as either medication in Mavyret, but not both. This is discussed more below. 

And, even though it treats chronic hepatitis C, you usually only take Mavyret for a few weeks. Treatment courses are usually only 8 to 16 weeks (about 2 to 4 months) depending on your situation. Other treatments you may have used previously also play a role in your treatment length. 

How does it work for hepatitis C?

As mentioned, Mavyret contains two medications — glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. 

Glecaprevir is an HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor. This means it works by blocking an enzyme needed to cut proteins that allow HCV to replicate. Pibrentasvir is an HCV NS5A inhibitor. NS5A is a protein needed for HCV replication and assembly. 

By blocking both NS3/4A protease and NS5A, Mavyret reduces the amount of HCV in your body to undetectable levels. It does this by preventing HCV replication with a goal of curing HCV infection.

Short-term side effects of Mavyret

Mavyret is generally well-tolerated. Many people are able to take it without experiencing bothersome side effects. However, side effects are still possible. The most common short-term side effects associated with Mavyret are:

• Headache

• Feeling tired

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

Long-term side effects of Mavyret

There are a couple of long-term and potentially serious side effects to be aware of. 

Mavyret has a boxed warning — the most serious type of warning the FDA can give a medication — for hepatitis B concerns. 

More specifically, if you have hepatitis C and are receiving Mavyret, it may cause hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation during or after Mavyret therapy. This is when HBV becomes active in the body again if you’ve had a HBV infection in the past. HBV reactivation in some people has caused fulminant hepatitis (sudden liver failure), liver failure, and death. Because of this, your care team will likely run tests for HBV infection before potentially giving you Mavyret. 

For other people who take Mavyret, serious liver problems, such as liver failure and death, are rare but possible. This risk is higher for people who had advanced liver problems before starting Mavyret. To lower these risks, your healthcare provider will regularly check your labs and watch for signs of liver problems.

When should I contact my healthcare provider about side effects from Mavyret?

The following side effects are serious and should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately:

• Yellow eyes or skin

• Pain in the upper-right area of your stomach or swelling of the stomach

• Intense nausea or vomiting

• Feeling tired

• Confusion

• Bruising more easily

• Dark-colored urine or stool

Immediate medical attention is often necessary for the symptoms above. But if you have any of the following symptoms, it’s recommended to seek emergency treatment:

• Allergic reactions (e.g., skin rash, itching, hives)

• Swelling of face, lips, or tongue

• Trouble breathing

While you're taking Mavyret, your healthcare provider will run routine tests (like liver function tests) to make sure your body is tolerating it. But if you experience — or think you're experiencing — any of these side effects, reach out to your healthcare provider immediately.

At this time, it's not known if Mavyret is safe for pregnant or nursing women. If you're pregnant or nursing and are interested in Mavyret, talk to your healthcare provider for specific guidance.

What can I do to manage the side effects of Mavyret?

It's important to complete your full course of Mavyret to make sure you clear HCV from your body. Having a good support system before starting therapy — with friends, family, and your healthcare provider — can help you manage side effects and have a better experience. 

Your pharmacist and healthcare provider can provide you with specific guidance on how to successfully receive Mavyret. But the following tips may help you manage some of the more common side effects:

Headache

• Try to stay hydrated throughout the day. Many well-hydrated people often drink about 90 to 120 oz of water daily, although it can vary from person to person 

• Try to get plenty of rest when possible.

• Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to take acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Fatigue

• Ask your healthcare provider if you’re healthy enough to try low-intensity exercise (e.g., walking, swimming, stationary cycling).

• Try to stay hydrated.

• Get some rest during the day.

• Reduce your work schedule, if possible.

• Eat well-balanced meals.

Nausea

• Eat several small meals every day.

• Eat foods that are chilled and avoid foods with strong smells.

• Try ginger (e.g., ginger candies, ginger ale, or ginger tea).

• Eat bland foods, such as dry toast or crackers.

• Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medications or certain medications — called antiemetics — to prevent or treat nausea. 

Diarrhea

• Eat soft foods that are low in fiber. Bananas, rice, and white toast (BRAT diet) aren’t likely to upset your stomach.

• Avoid spicy or acidic foods (e.g., citrus fruits, tomato sauce).

• Avoid dairy products for 2 to 3 days after diarrhea stops.

• Your healthcare provider may recommend OTC medications, like loperamide (Imodium), to help treat diarrhea. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Nikki Javit, PharmD

Nikki Javit, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist with certifications in international travel medicine, immunization delivery, and pharmacogenomics. She received her bachelor’s of science in biology from Indiana University Bloomington and her doctor of pharmacy degree from Butler University.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts