Harvoni vs. Mavyret for Hepatitis C: 6 Things to Be Aware Of
Harvoni and Mavyret are both antiviral medications that treat hepatitis C. Learn about these two medications and how they differ.
Mavyret
Used for Hepatitis C
Used for Hepatitis C
Mavyret is a combination medication that contains two antivirals, glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. It's a first-choice tratment for both early (acute) and long-term (chronic) hepatitis C. This medication comes as tablets and oral pellets for people 3 years and older. You take your dose by mouth once a day with food. It's taken for 8 to 16 weeks, depending on the type of hepatitis C you have, your liver health, and past treatments. Side effects include headache, tiredness, and nausea.
What is Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir)?
What is Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) used for?
- Acute or chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 infection in people ages 3 years and older
- Hepatitis C genotype 1 infection in people age 3 years and older who were previously treated with an NS5A inhibitor or an HCV protease inhibitor (not both)
How Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) works
Mavyret is a combination of two antiviral medications that work together to treat hepatitis C. Glecaprevir is a protease inhibitor, and pibrentasvir is an NS5A inhibitor. They block two different proteins of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). This helps stop virus from making more copies of itself in your body.
When does Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Mavyret |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiviral |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) essentials
Side effects of Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (16%)
- Fatigue (11%)
- Nausea (9%)
- Diarrhea (7%)
Note: Side effects were from adults without cirrhosis who were treated for hepatitis C for the first time. Side effects might be different for people with cirrhosis or for children.
Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Worsening liver problems: nausea, stomach pain, yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes
More on Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) side effects
The following Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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$9497.73
GoodRx discount
$7609.80
Pros and cons of Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir)
Pros
- Works against six types of hepatitis C
- Only need to take once a day
- Available as oral pellets that can be mixed with soft food for young children
Cons
- Must take multiple tablets or use multiple packets of oral pellets at one time for the full dose
- Risk of making hepatitis B come back if you've had it before
- Can interact with HIV medications, statins, blood thinners, and other medications
Pharmacist tips for Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir)
- Take Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) exactly as prescribed for the full length of treatment. If you've never been treated for hepatitis C, you'll take it for 8 weeks. Otherwise, you could need 12 or 16 weeks of treatment. Double check with your prescriber about how long to take Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir). Don't stop taking it early because it can make it easier for your hepatitis C to come back.
- Take Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) once a day at the same time every day with food. Taking it with food helps the medication get absorbed into your body better.
- Take your prescribed number of Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) tablets or packets of oral pellets once a day, all at the same time. Don't spread them out or take them at different times during the day.
- For Mavyret tablets: Swallow the tablets whole. Don't crush, cut, or break them. If you have trouble swallowing the tablets whole, ask your prescriber about your options.
- For Mavyret oral pellets: Sprinkle all the oral pellets for the full dose onto a small amount of soft food, like peanut butter, Greek yogurt, or thick jam. Don't use liquids or runny foods because the medication can dissolve and not work as well. Swallow the mixture without chewing within 15 minutes after preparing it. Don't crush or chew the pellets.
- If you miss a dose of Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) and your next dose is more than 6 hours away, take the dose as soon as you remember. But if your next dose is less than 6 hours away, skip the missed dose. Wait to take your usual dose at your next regularly scheduled time. Don't take two doses at once. Tell your prescriber if you miss any doses. They might want to check your blood work to see if your hepatitis C is still under control.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications and supplements you take or plan to take. Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) can interact with many medications. Some interactions can cause more side effects. Others can make your medications not work as well. Your care team can check your medications and recommend changes if needed to keep you safe.
- Let your prescriber know right away if you become pregnant while taking Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir). It's not known if the medication is safe during pregnancy. Your prescriber can explain the risks and benefits. They can help you choose the safest option for treating hepatitis C.
- Talk to your prescriber before breastfeeding while taking Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir). It's not know if the medication can pass into breast milk and cause side effects in your baby. Your prescriber can discuss the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while treating hepatitis C.
Risks and warnings for Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir)
Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of hepatitis B flareup in certain people
- Risk factors: Have both hepatitis B and C infection | Taking medications that weaken the immune system | Taking certain cancer medications
Some people who have both hepatitis B and C have had their hepatitis B flare up while being treated for hepatitis C. This is called hepatitis B reactivation. It usually happens when they aren't taking medications to treat hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B reactivation can make your liver enzyme levels go up. In serious cases, it can lead to liver failure, which can be life-threatening.
Before starting Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir), you'll get tested for hepatitis B. Tell your care team if you have had hepatitis B or been treated for it. They can watch for signs of reactivation and manage it if it happens.
Risk of worsening liver health
- Risk factors: History of advanced liver problems
Some people have had serious liver problems, including liver failure, while taking hepatitis C medications like Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir). It's not clear if the medication caused it. But it's mostly happened in people who already had severe liver problems before treatment started. These issues usually appeared within the first 4 weeks of treatment.
Before starting Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir), your prescriber will check your liver to make sure it's safe for you. You can't take it if you have severe liver problems. If you have milder liver problems, you can still take it but the care team will monitor you more closely.
Tell your care team right away if you notice symptoms of worsening liver problems. Watch for yellowing of your skin or eyes, stomach bloating, or changes in behavior or thinking.
Drug interactions that can make Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) not work as well
Some medications can make Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) not work as well. These include rifampin (Rifadin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), efavirenz, and St. John's wort. It's not recommended to take these medications with Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir).
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications, vitamins, and supplements you take and plan to take. They can check for drug interactions and adjust your medications to help keep you safe.
Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) dosage
The average cost for 1 package of 84 tablets of 100mg/40mg of Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) is $12,852.78 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 21.10% off the average retail price of $16,288.93. 
Bottle
Package
Bottle| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84 tablets of 100mg/40mg | 1 bottle | $12,852.78 | $12,852.78 |
Package| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84 tablets of 100mg/40mg | 1 package | $12,852.78 | $12,852.78 |
| 28 packets of 50mg/20mg | 3 packages | $7,609.80 | $2,536.60 |
Typical dosage for Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir)
-
Age 12 years or older or those who weigh at least 99 lbs
- Take the tablet form of Mavyret. Each tablet contains 100 mg of glecaprevir and 40 mg of pibrentasvir. The recommended dose is 3 tablets by mouth once a day with food.
-
Age 3 to under 12 years
- Use the oral pellet form of Mavyret and sprinkle onto soft food. Each packet of the oral pellets contains 50 mg of glecaprevir and 20 mg pibrentasvir. The dose is based on your child's weight.
- Weigh 66 lbs to less than 99 lbs: The recommended dose is 5 packets of oral pellets by mouth once a day with food.
- Weigh 44 lbs to less than 66 lbs: The recommended dose is 4 packets of oral pellets by mouth once a day with food.
- Weigh less than 44 lbs: The recommended dose is 3 packets of oral pellets by mouth once a day with food.
The length of treatment is either 8, 12, or 16 weeks. This depends on if you've have any previous HCV treatment regimen before and what they were. How long you take Mavyret also depends on if you have liver cirrhosis.
How much does Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Mavyret (brand)
$7,609.80
Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) will not be safe for you to take.
- Moderate or severe liver problems
- Taking atazanavir or rifampin with Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir)
What are alternatives to Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Mavyret (glecaprevir / pibrentasvir) images
