If you have hepatitis C, your doctor might suggest Mavyret as a treatment option for you. It’s a prescription drug used to treat hepatitis C in certain adults and children.
The active ingredients in Mavyret are glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Mavyret comes as tablets and pellets, both of which you take by mouth. It belongs to a group of drugs called antivirals.
This article describes the dosages of Mavyret, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Mavyret, see this in-depth article.
Note: This article covers Mavyret’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drugmaker. But when using Mavyret, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
The information below contains details on typical dosages, forms, and strengths of Mavyret.
Note: This chart highlights the basics of Mavyret’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail.
| Mavyret form | Strength | Recommended dosage for adults |
| tablets | 100 milligrams (mg) glecaprevir/40 mg pibrentasvir | 3 tablets once daily for 8, 12, or 16 weeks |
| pellets | 50 mg glecaprevir/20 mg pibrentasvir | 6 packets of Mavyret pellets once daily for 8, 12, or 16 weeks |
What are the forms of Mavyret?
Mavyret comes in two forms: tablets and pellets, both of which you swallow.
What strengths does Mavyret come in?
Mavyret comes in two strengths:
- pellets: 50 mg glecaprevir/20 mg pibrentasvir
- tablets: 100 mg glecaprevir/40 mg pibrentasvir
What are the usual dosages of Mavyret?
Your doctor will determine the appropriate dosage for you based on your age, your body weight, and the severity of your condition. They’ll ultimately prescribe the dosage that’s best to treat your condition.
The information below describes dosing schedules that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to follow the dosage instructions your doctor gives you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
The typical dosage of Mavyret to treat hepatitis C in adults is three tablets taken once daily. The total dosage per day is 300 mg of glecaprevir/120 mg of pibrentasvir.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, your doctor may prescribe Mavyret pellets for you. The dosage is six packets daily, for a total daily dose of 300 mg glecaprevir/120 mg pibrentasvir.
How long you take Mavyret depends on certain factors:
- You’ll take Mavyret for 8 weeks if you’ve never had treatment for hepatitis C before and you either don’t have cirrhosis (liver scarring) or have mild cirrhosis.
- You’ll take Mavyret for 8, 12, or 16 weeks if you’ve tried hepatitis C treatment before that didn’t work for you. Your doctor will decide the best length of treatment for you based on your condition and how well Mavyret works for you.
- If you’ve had a liver or kidney transplant, you’ll typically take Mavyret for 12 weeks. But your doctor may recommend 16 weeks of treatment in some cases.
Your doctor will determine the treatment plan that works best for your condition.
What’s the dosage of Mavyret for children?
Mavyret is used to treat hepatitis C in children ages 3 years and older.
- For children 12 years and older, the Mavyret dosage is the same as for adults. See the section directly above for more information.
- For children ages 3 years to less than 12 years, the dosage is based on body weight in kilograms (kg)*. For children who weigh less than 45 kg (about 99 pounds), their doctor may prescribe Mavyret pellets rather than tablets. Their treatment length depends on the same factors as for adults. See the section directly above to learn more.
- For children 3 years and older who have had a kidney or liver transplant, the typical treatment length is 12 weeks. Your child’s doctor will discuss the treatment plan that’s best for your child.
* One kg equals about 2.2 pounds.
Is Mavyret used long term?
No, Mavyret is taken for 8, 12 or 16 weeks. How long you’ll take Mavyret depends on several factors. These include:
- how well Mavyret works to treat your condition
- whether you’ve received hepatitis C treatment previously
- side effects you experience
- whether you have cirrhosis
The dosage of Mavyret you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the severity of the condition you’re using the drug to treat
- your age
- body weight (for certain children taking the drug)
Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s best to treat your condition.
Mavyret comes as tablets that you swallow. You’ll take the tablets with food.
Mavyret also comes as pellets that you can mix into a soft food (such as peanut butter). You should swallow the mixture within 15 minutes of adding Mavyret to the food. Be sure to throw away any unused food that contains Mavyret pellets. Do not save any unused pellets for later use.
Do not crush, chew, or break Mavyret tablets or pellets.
If you have trouble swallowing pills, your doctor can prescribe Mavyret pellets for you.
You can take your Mavyret dose at any time of day, but you should take it around the same time each day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Mavyret, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Mavyret in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
If you miss a dose of Mavyret and it’s been fewer than 18 hours since you were scheduled to take the dose, take your Mavyret dose as soon as you remember. Then continue with your normal dosing schedule.
But if it’s been more than 18 hours since your last dose of Mavyret, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its scheduled time.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Mavyret on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Mavyret than your doctor prescribes as this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you take too much Mavyret
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Mavyret. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control 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.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Mavyret’s dosage.
Can I switch from the tablet form to the pellet form of Mavyret?
Yes, you can. There’s no difference in the active ingredients* of the tablets and pellets. But these forms do have different strengths:
- Mavyret tablets contain 100 milligrams (mg) glecaprevir/40 mg pibrentasvir.
- Each pellet packet contains 50 mg glecaprevir/20 mg pibrentasvir.
If you want to switch from tablets to the pellet form of Mavyret, talk with your doctor.
* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
How will my dosage be calculated for Mavyret?
If you’re an adult who weighs at least 45 kilograms (kg) (about 99 pounds [lb]), the typical dosage is three tablets taken once per day. Your treatment length could be 8, 12, or 16 weeks, depending on certain factors (such as whether you experience side effects from the drug).
For children taking Mavyret, their doctor will calculate their dose based on body weight. To learn more, see the dosage information above in the “What’s the dosage of Mavyret for children?” section.
If your child’s body weight changes during their treatment, your doctor may adjust their dosage if needed. They’ll ultimately prescribe the dosage that’s best to treat the condition.
If you have questions about the dosage of Mavyret you’re prescribed, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The sections above describe the dosing guidelines provided by the drugmaker. If your doctor recommends Mavyret for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Mavyret without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Mavyret exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will I be prescribed a higher dose of Mavyret if my hepatitis C is severe?
- Will my doctor change my dosage if Mavyret isn’t working to treat my condition?
- Will I take a lower dose of Mavyret if I’m taking certain medications that interact with the drug?
To learn more about Mavyret, see these articles:
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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.
