Mavyret: Indications, Contraindications, and Interactions

Introduction

What is Mavyret?

Mavyret is a medicine that contains active ingredients called glecaprevir/pibrentasvir which belongs to a group of medicines called antiviral agents, a class of medicines that helps to treat/control viral infections in adults and children (aged below 3 years). ¹Introduction | Researched based study from RxAbbVie

Indications

Indications and Uses of Mavyret:

• Mavyret is an antiviral medicine used to treat long-term (chronic) hepatitis C infection which works by preventing the hepatitis C virus from growing and infecting new cells in a patient thus treating the infection and providing relief from its associated symptoms.  ²Indications | Researched based study from electronic medicines compendium

Hepatitis C

What exactly is Hepatitis C infection?

• Hepatitis C is a viral infection that damages the liver by causing swelling and inflammation in the organ.
• Although there are many possible reasons, viral infection is the most frequent factor to induce infection in affected individuals that lasts for a longer period of time.  ³Hepatitis C | Researched based study from Cleveland Clinic

Dosage Strengths

Mavyret – Dose levels and Strengths

• Mavyret comes in the form of pink, biconvex, film-coated tablets that are 18.8 mm x 10.0 mm in size and have the letters “NXT” embossed on one side.  
• It comes in packs of 84 tablets in 4 cartons, each having 21 film-coated tablets which are presented in foil blisters that hold three pills. ²Dosage Strength | Researched based study from electronic medicines compendium

Administration

How should a tablet of Mavyret be taken?

• For both adults and children (age 12 years and above), the suggested dose of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir combination is three pills, given once daily.
• Always take the medicine with food and avoid chewing/crushing the tablet as it may alter the effect of the medicine.
• Simply swallow the medicine and follow the directions of use as directed by your doctor.
• If you have concerns regarding the administration of medication, speak with your doctor. ²Administration | Researched based study from electronic medicines compendium

Side Effects

Mavyret: Side Effects

Seek medical advice from your doctor if any of these symptoms bother you or are persistent:

Common side effects:

• Tiredness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Asthenia (feeling weak or lack of energy).

Uncommon side effects:

• Swelling in the arms, legs, abdomen, throat, face, lips, tongue, and/or throat. ²Side Effects | Researched based study from electronic medicines compendium

Serious adverse reactions (which could cause a patient to stop taking Mavyret medicine) 

• Hepatitis B virus reactivation
• Liver problems associated with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, bruising or bleeding more easily than usual, confusion, dark, black, or bloody stools, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dark/brown (tea-colored) urine, swelling or soreness on the abdomen, and/or dizziness. ¹Side Effects | Researched based study from RxAbbVie

Contraindications

Who should avoid taking Mavyret?

Avoid Mavyret if you:

• Are allergic to glecaprevir, pibrentasvir, and/or any other ingredients of this medicine
• Are taking medicines such as atazanavir (used to treat HIV infection), atorvastatin/simvastatin (used to lower blood cholesterol), carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or primidone (used to treat epilepsy), dabigatran (used to prevent blood clots), ethinyl estradiol-containing medicines such as contraception medicines, rifampicin (antibiotic used to treat infections), and/or St. John’s wort (herbal medicine used to treat mild depression). ²Contraindications | Researched based study from electronic medicines compendium

Precautions

Warnings and Precautions

Before taking Mavyret, let your doctor know if any of the following apply to you:

• Current or past hepatitis B virus infection
• Diabetes.

Patients with renal (kidney) problems:

• A doctor should be consulted before administering the medicine to a patient who has or had a history of suffering from kidney problems such as mild to moderate renal impairment.

Patients with liver (hepatic) problems:

• Patients with serious liver problems should avoid taking Mavyret medicine since it may cause undesirable effects in affected individuals. Before taking the medicine, seek advice from your doctor.

Use in particular populations:

Pregnant women:

• It is advised that you avoid using this drug if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy because it is not known how the medicine works during pregnancy.
• It is always advisable that you consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

Breastfeeding women:

• Mavyret should be used with caution in breastfeeding women as it is not known whether the medicine passes through breastfed milk which may cause some undesired effects in breastfed infants.

Use in children:

• Children who are younger than 3 years and who weigh less than 12 kg should avoid taking Mavyret medicine since the safety and efficacy of the use of medicine are not established in this age group.

Use in geriatric (older) patients:

• Elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) should use Mavyret medication cautiously and in consultation with their doctor to avoid unfavorable side effects in this age range. ²Precautions | Researched based study from electronic medicines compendium, ⁴Precautions | Researched based study from Food and Drug Administration

Investigations

Tests that should be performed before and during Mavyret treatment

• To ascertain whether the medication can be taken and for how long, a blood test may be recommended before, during, and after Mavyret treatment.
• Additionally, these blood tests also aid in determining whether the medication has worked effectively and cured the patient of hepatitis C virus infection. ²Investigations | Researched based study from electronic medicines compendium

Interactions

Drug Interactions

It is not advised to use multiple medicines at the same time because of potential interactions with Mavyret. Prior to starting treatment with Mavyret, be sure to inform your doctor of all the medicines you are now taking, especially any of those listed below:

• Tacrolimus, ciclosporin (medicines used to suppress the immune system)
• Efavirenz, darunavir, ritonavir, lopinavir (medicines used to treat HIV infection)
• Digoxin (used in the treatment of heart problems)
• Pitavastatin, Fluvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin (used to lower blood cholesterol)
• Warfarin (medicines used to prevent blood clots). ²Interactions | Researched based study from electronic medicines compendium

Takeaway Tips

Takeaway Tips

• Mavyret is an antiviral drug used to treat long-term (chronic) hepatitis C infection in adults and children (aged below 3 years)
• Hepatitis C is a viral infection that damages the liver by causing swelling and inflammation in the organ. Although there are numerous potential causes, viral infection is the commonest cause inflicting infection in a person which remains for a longer period of time
• Tiredness, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and/or asthenia (feeling weak/lack of energy) are common adverse effects associated with the use of medicine
• Mavyret should be avoided if you are allergic to glecaprevir, pibrentasvir, and/or taking medicines such as atazanavir, atorvastatin/simvastatin, carbamazepine, dabigatran, rifampicin, and/or St. John’s wort
• Pregnant women should avoid the use of this medicine as the safety and efficacy of the use of medicine is not established during pregnancy
• Breastfeeding women should use Mavyret with caution since it is not known whether the medicine passes through breastfed milk
• Patients with kidney or liver problems should use Lyumjev with caution after consulting the doctor. ¹Takeaway Tips | Researched based study from RxAbbVie , ²Takeaway tips | Researched based study from electronic medicines compendium, ⁴Takeaway tips | Researched based study from Food and Drug Administration