Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat hepatitis C. Mavyret comes as oral tablets and pellets, which are swallowed.
Mavyret is used in certain adults and children to treat hepatitis C.
To learn more about Mavyret’s uses, see the “Is Mavyret used for hepatitis C?” section below.
Mavyret basics
Mavyret contains two active ingredients: glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
Mavyret belongs to a group of drugs called antivirals. Mavyret is a brand-name medication that isn’t available in a generic form.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Mavyret. What you’ll pay for Mavyret may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.
Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The Mavyret Savings Program may also be available.
You can check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions. To learn more about the cost of Mavyret, see this article.
Like most drugs, Mavyret may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Mavyret may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you may be taking
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Mavyret. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects. For more details, you can see this article.
Mild side effects
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Mavyret can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Mavyret’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Mavyret include:
- nausea
- headache
- fatigue (lack of energy)
- diarrhea
- itchiness
- high levels of bilirubin (a yellowish substance produced when blood cells break down)
- mild allergic reaction*
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Mavyret can occur, but they aren’t common.
If you have serious side effects from Mavyret, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported with Mavyret include:
- boxed warning: hepatitis B reactivation*
- severe allergic reaction†
* For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking Mavyret?” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.
Allergic reactionSome people may have an allergic reaction to Mavyret.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Mavyret. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Mavyret that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Forms and strengths
Mavyret comes as oral tablets and pellets, which are swallowed. Mavyret pellets come in packets containing 3 pellets.
Both forms contain two active drugs and come in one strength:
- Mavyret tablets: 100 milligrams (mg) of glecaprevir and 40 mg of pibrentasvir
- Mavyret pellets: 50 mg of glecaprevir and 20 mg of pibrentasvir
Recommended dosages
The recommended Mavyret dosage for hepatitis C in adults and children ages 12 years and older is three tablets taken once per day.
For children ages 3 years to 12 years, your child’s doctor will determine Mavyret’s dosage based on your child’s body weight.
Depending on your treatment history and whether you have liver cirrhosis (scarring), you may take Mavyret for 8–16 weeks. Your doctor will determine the length of your treatment.
To learn more about Mavyret’s dosage, see this article.
Questions about taking Mavyret
Below are some common questions about taking Mavyret.
- Can Mavyret be chewed, crushed, or split? No. Do not chew, crush, or split Mavyret tablets or pellets. This may change how well the drug works. If you have trouble swallowing pills, your doctor will likely prescribe Mavyret pellets instead. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on swallowing Mavyret tablets.
- Should I take Mavyret with food? Yes, Mavyret works best when taken with food. Try to take it with the same meal every day to help you remember to stay on schedule.
- Is there a best time of day to take Mavyret? No, there’s no best time of day to take Mavyret. But you should take it at the same time every day. Doing so helps to keep a steady level of the drug in your body, which helps Mavyret work effectively.
- What if I miss a dose of Mavyret? If you miss a dose of Mavyret, you can take the missed dose if fewer than 18 hours have passed since you were scheduled to take it. If more than 18 hours have passed, skip that dose and take your next dose at its regularly scheduled time. Missing doses might affect how well Mavyret works to treat your hepatitis C.
- Will I need to take Mavyret long term? Your doctor will decide how long to continue your treatment with Mavyret. Treatment typically lasts for 8, 12, or 16 weeks. How long you take Mavyret depends on several factors, such as your treatment history and whether you have liver cirrhosis.
- How long does Mavyret take to work? Studies show Mavyret cures hepatitis C in most people within 8 to 16 weeks when it’s taken as directed. After that time period, your doctor will order blood tests to see if you still have hepatitis C.
Overdose
Do not take more Mavyret than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you take too much Mavyret
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Mavyret. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
If you’re considering treatment options for hepatitis C, your doctor may suggest Mavyret. Hepatitis C is an infection that’s caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It leads to inflammation of your liver.
Mavyret is prescribed for use in adults and children ages 3 years and older. The drug works to cure HCV by stopping the virus from multiplying (making more of itself). HCV is considered cured when the virus can no longer be seen on certain blood tests.
There are several genotypes (strains) of long lasting HCV. Mavyret can be used to treat genotypes 1 to 6 in certain people. This includes people who:
- don’t have cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
- have compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class A), which is a mild type of cirrhosis
Mavyret can also be used to treat genotype 1 HCV in people who have been treated with another certain type of medication that didn’t work.
If you have questions about whether Mavyret treatment is right for you, ask your doctor.
Below is important information you should consider before taking Mavyret.
Interactions
Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.
Mavyret can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain herbs.
Before taking Mavyret, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
Drug interactions
Below is a list of medications that can interact with Mavyret. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Mavyret. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples |
| certain birth control medications | • medications containing ethinyl estradiol, such as Junel and Xulane • medications containing norgestrel, such as Opill and Cryselle |
| certain blood thinners | • warfarin • dabigatran (Pradaxa) |
| certain cholesterol medications called statins | • atorvastatin (Lipitor) • lovastatin (Altoprev) |
| certain types of antiviral medications for HIV | • atazanavir (Reyataz) • efavirenz (Sustiva) |
| the seizure medication called carbamazepine (Tegretol) | — |
| the antibiotic medication called rifampin | — |
Other interactions
Mavyret can also interact with other substances, such as:
- Herbs and supplements: You should not use the herb St. John’s wort while taking Mavyret. If you’re taking St. John’s wort and considering treatment with Mavyret, make sure to tell your doctor. They may be able to suggest other options for you that won’t interact with Mavyret.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is not known to interact with Mavyret. But alcohol can worsen liver conditions, including hepatitis C, which Mavyret is used to treat. Talk with your doctor about the risks of drinking alcohol while taking Mavyret.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It isn’t known whether Mavyret is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. There isn’t any information on the drug’s effects when taken during these times.
Talk with your doctor about the risks of taking Mavyret while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Boxed warning
Mavyret has a
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. If you have both hepatitis C and HBV, or have had hepatitis B in the past, Mavyret treatment may cause HBV reactivation.
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus. With reactivation, an inactive virus that’s inside your body flares up and causes symptoms. In some cases, HBV reactivation could cause liver failure and, in some serious cases, death.
Before you start treatment with Mavyret, your doctor will order a blood test to determine whether you have HBV. They will also monitor you for signs of HBV reactivation during and after treatment. If you’re concerned about your risk of this side effect, talk with your doctor.
Symptoms of hepatitis B include:
- pain in the upper-right side of your abdomen
- dark-colored urine
- tiredness
- fever
- loss of appetite
- jaundice (yellowish color of your skin or the whites of your eyes)
Other warnings
Mavyret can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Mavyret is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Mavyret. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- moderate to severe liver problems, specifically Child-Pugh class B or C
- previous allergic reaction to Mavyret
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Mavyret, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.
The following drugs are similar to Mavyret:
If you have questions about taking Mavyret, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Questions you may want to ask include:
- What should I know about the risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation with Mavyret?
- Are there alternative therapies for hepatitis C that I should consider?
- Will my hepatitis C come back after treatment with Mavyret?
- What will happen if I take Mavyret on an empty stomach?
- How long will I need to be treated with Mavyret?
To learn more about Mavyret, see these articles:
- Dosage Details for Mavyret
- Mavyret and Cost: What You Need to Know
- Mavyret vs. Epclusa: What You Should Know
- Side Effects of Mavyret: What You Need to Know
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
