MAVYRET/MAVIRET (Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir)

What is this medication? 

MAVYRET/MAVIRET (Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir)
Anti-hepaciviral, NS3/4A Protease Inhibitor (Anti-HCV); Anti-hepaciviral, NS5A Inhibitor; NS3/4A Inhibitor; NS5A Inhibitor

Brand Name US: Mavyret
Canadian Equivalent: Maviret

ALERT: WARNING
Test all patients for evidence of current or prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection before initiating treatment with glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. HBV reactivation has been reported in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HBV coinfected patients who were undergoing or had completed treatment with HCV direct-acting antivirals and were not receiving HBV antiviral therapy.

How does this medication work? 

MAVYRET/MAVIRET is a fixed-dose combination of Glecaprevir and Pibrentasvir, which are direct-acting antiviral agents against the hepatitis C virus.  Glecaprevir inhibits HCV NS3/4A protease and Pibrentasvir inhibits HCV NS5A.

How should I take this medication? 

Oral: Take three tablets (glecaprevir 100 mg/pibrentasvir 40 mg per tablet) once daily for 8 weeks.

How to Take: Take with food.

What should I watch for while using this medication? 

Before using MAVYRET/MAVIRET (Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir), make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take, pre-existing medical conditions and activities you perform. There may be a rapid reduction in hepatitis C viral load during direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C may lead to improvement in glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes, potentially resulting in symptomatic hypoglycemia if antidiabetic agents are continued at the same dose. Monitor for changes in glucose tolerance and inform patients of the risk of hypoglycemia during DAA therapy, particularly within the first 3 months.  Hepatic decompensation and hepatic failure (including fatal cases) have been reported with using Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir.  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation has been reported in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HBV coinfected patients who were receiving or had completed treatment with HCV direct-acting antivirals and were not receiving HBV antiviral therapy; some cases have resulted in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death. Test all patients for evidence of current or prior HBV infection prior to initiation of treatment; monitor HCV/HBV co-infected patients for hepatitis flare or HBV reactivation during treatment and post-treatment follow-up.

What if I miss a dose?

If a dose is missed less than 18 hours from the usual dosage time, administer dose as soon as possible, then administer next dose at usual dosage time. If a dose is missed more than 18 hours from the usual dosage time, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose at usual dosage time.

How should I store this medication?

Keep out of the reach of children at all times.  Store at room temperature, 59 to 86° F (15 to 30° C).  Protect from light.  Keep the container tightly closed.  Properly dispose of any unused medication after the expiration date.

What are the possible side effects of using this medication?

Nausea, fatigue, headache, pruritus, diarrhea, increased serum bilirubin.

Note this is not a complete list of side effects for MAVYRET/MAVIRET (Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir), only common ones.