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ledipasvir/sofosbuvir

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Brand names: Harvoni

NS5A/NS5B Inhibitor (HCV) Rx

Harvoni is a medicine that contains ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. It is used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults and children 3 years and older.

What it does

Harvoni treats chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6.

Common side effects

Feeling tired, Headache, Feeling weak

Key warnings

Harvoni can cause Hepatitis B to become active again if you have had it in the past.

How It Works

Harvoni contains two medicines that stop the hepatitis C virus from multiplying in your body. Ledipasvir blocks a protein called NS5A. Sofosbuvir blocks another protein called NS5B.

How to Take It

Take one Harvoni tablet once a day. You can take it with or without food. For children, the dose is based on their weight. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking Harvoni. If Harvoni is taken with ribavirin, it is unsafe during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

Storage

Store Harvoni tablets or pellets below 86°F (30°C) in the original container.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 14,161 FDA adverse event reports.

Feeling tired
4,130
Headache
3,706
Nausea
1,240
The medicine is not working
1,137
Diarrhea
913
Hepatitis C
883
Trouble sleeping
835
Throwing up
442
Feeling dizzy
439
Missed dose of medicine
436

Serious Warnings

Harvoni can cause Hepatitis B to become active again if you have had it in the past. This can cause serious liver problems, including liver failure and death. Your doctor will test you for Hepatitis B before you start Harvoni and monitor you during and after treatment.

Known Drug Interactions

atorvastatin ↑ atorvastatin Coadministration of HARVONI with atorvastatin may be associated with increased risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis.

Mechanism: Harvoni can increase the amount of atorvastatin in your system, which may lead to severe muscle problems.

What to do: Your doctor should monitor you for muscle pain or consider changing your medication.

moderate rifampin

( 5.2 , 6.2 , 7.2 ) P-gp inducers (e.g., rifampin, St. P-gp inducers (e.g., rifampin, St. Antimycobacterials: rifabutin rifampin rifapentine ↓ ledipasvir ↓ sofosbuvir Coadministration of HARVONI with rifampin, rifabutin, or rifapentine is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ].

Mechanism: Rifampin reduces the levels of Harvoni in your body, which can prevent the medicine from treating your infection properly.

What to do: This combination is not recommended and should be avoided.

moderate amiodarone

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Coadministration with amiodarone may result in serious symptomatic bradycardia. Use of HARVONI with amiodarone is not recommended. Antiarrhythmics: amiodarone Effect on amiodarone, ledipasvir, and sofosbuvir concentrations unknown Coadministration of amiodarone with HARVONI may result in serious symptomatic bradycardia.

Mechanism: Taking these drugs together can cause your heart rate to drop to a dangerously slow level. While the exact reason is unknown, the combination interferes with your heart's normal rhythm.

What to do: This combination is not recommended and should be avoided. If you must take both, your doctor will need to monitor your heart rate very closely.

Intervention: Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir Avoid concomitant use with rosuvastatin.

Mechanism: These medications can raise the levels of rosuvastatin in your blood to unsafe levels. This increases your risk of developing serious muscle problems.

What to do: You should avoid using these two medications at the same time.

Intervention: Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir Avoid concomitant use with rosuvastatin.

Mechanism: These medications can cause rosuvastatin to build up in your system, which increases the risk of harmful side effects.

What to do: You should avoid taking these two medications at the same time.

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Common Questions

How long will I need to take Harvoni?
The length of treatment depends on your specific situation, but is usually 12-24 weeks.
Can I take Harvoni if I have kidney problems?
Yes, you can still take Harvoni if you have kidney problems. No dose adjustment is needed.
What should I do if I experience side effects?
Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience while taking Harvoni.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Harvoni?
Talk to your doctor about drinking alcohol while taking Harvoni.
Will Harvoni interact with other medications I am taking?
Harvoni can interact with other medications. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take.
How will I know if Harvoni is working?
Your doctor will monitor your HCV viral load to see if the treatment is working.
What if I have HIV?
You can still take Harvoni if you have HIV. Follow the dosage recommendations from your doctor.
Can children take Harvoni?
Yes, Harvoni can be used in children 3 years of age and older.
What tests will I need before starting Harvoni?
You will need to be tested for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection before starting Harvoni.
What do the tablets look like?
The 90 mg/400 mg tablets are orange and diamond-shaped. The 45 mg/200 mg tablets are white and capsule-shaped.
What are the common side effects of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir?
The most commonly reported side effects of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir include Feeling tired, Headache, Feeling weak, Nausea. Based on 14,161 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does ledipasvir/sofosbuvir interact with other medications?
Yes, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir has 22 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include atorvastatin, rifampin, amiodarone. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is ledipasvir/sofosbuvir?
ledipasvir/sofosbuvir belongs to the NS5A/NS5B Inhibitor (HCV) drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Harvoni treats chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6.
Is ledipasvir/sofosbuvir safe during pregnancy?
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking Harvoni. If Harvoni is taken with ribavirin, it is unsafe during pregnancy. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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Medication Guides

Related Health & Safety Data

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What the FDA Data Shows for ledipasvir/sofosbuvir

The FDA label for ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (sold under brand names such as Harvoni) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the NS5A/NS5B Inhibitor (HCV) class. Harvoni treats chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Feeling tired, Headache, Feeling weak.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 14,161 voluntary reports. The database also lists 22 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: December 26, 2024

All federal data sources used on this page