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Does Mavyret cause itching?

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on July 11, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Yes, Mavyret does cause itching (pruritus) as a side effect in up to 17% patients, but chronic itchy skin can also be a symptom of hepatitis C as well.

Other side effects of Mavyret:

Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir) has other side effects that are common including:

  • headache (up to 17%)
  • elevated bilirubin (up to 17%)
  • tiredness or fatigue (up to 16%)
  • nausea (up to 12%)

Mavyret is used to treat hepatitis C.

What else causes itching when you have hepatitis?

In some cases hepatitis C can cause you to have elevated bilirubin levels, due to the damaged liver having difficulty removing bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin levels become high the skin becomes yellowish and itchy (jaundice).

When you have itchy skin while taking Mavyret it is important to check with your doctor so they can determine whether the itchy skin is

  • a side effect of Mavyret or
  • jaundice due to liver damage from hepatitis C

To determine the cause of the itchy skin your doctor may need to do further investigations or tests, and the results of these will decide what treatment options are best for you.

References

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.
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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

How much does Mavyret cost?

The cost of Mavyret for 84 tablets is $13,909 if you are paying cash using an online discount card, however, most people do not pay this amount. If you are eligible, AbbVie offers a $5 per month Copay Savings Card. You can call 1-800-628-9738 to find out how much this medicine may cost you. Continue reading

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