Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir) is a prescription treatment that combines two different drugs that seek to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV). The drug is manufactured by AbbVie and is approved to treat patients with chronic HCV without cirrhosis. Patients with compensated cirrhosis can also take the drug as it is not an advanced stage of cirrhosis. Mavyret is used to treat all six strains of HCV (1-6).
How Mavyret Works
Both drugs in Mavyret work in different ways to attack the Hep C virus. Possible side effects of the drug in the clinical trial stage included fatigue and headache. If these symptoms do not go away, please consult your primary physician. Mavyret currently holds black box warning, which is the strictest warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to its potential to cause the reactivation of Hep B, which could cause death or liver failure. Patients must get tested for HBV prior to taking the drug. People who have previously suffered from Hep B will be closely monitored by their physician to make sure the virus hasn’t reactivated.
Prior to starting treatment on Mavyret, patients must be tested for HBV first. Patients should talk to their doctor about their medical conditions, including:
- Breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant
- Any liver problems other than HCV
- The Hep B virus infection
Mavyret may not be safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and it remains unknown if it is harmful to a baby. Talk with a pharmacist about any over-the-counter medications you may be taking as well as any vitamins or supplements that may counteract with Mavyret.
Dosing
One tablet of Mavyret contains a combination of 40-mg of pibrentasvir and 100-mg of glecaprevir. The recommended dose includes three tablets taken once a day with food. The treatment will be decided by your physician, and the duration of the treatment is typically 8 to 16 weeks.
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