As with other drugs, Vosevi (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir) can cause side effects such as headache and diarrhea. If you’re not able to tolerate side effects of Vosevi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Vosevi (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C.

If you have problems with side effects from Vosevi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options. Do not stop taking Vosevi without consulting your doctor first.

For additional information about Vosevi, including details about its uses, see this Vosevi overview article.

Vosevi has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Boxed warning for Vosevi” section.

Vosevi can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Vosevi in clinical trials:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Mild side effects can occur with Vosevi use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Vosevi’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Vosevi include:

  • headache
  • fatigue
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • trouble sleeping
  • weakness

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, worsen, or become too difficult to tolerate, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Vosevi and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Vosevi may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Vosevi’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Vosevi, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • risk of reactivation of the hepatitis B virus in people with both hepatitis B and hepatitis C (see the “Boxed warning for Vosevi” section)
  • severe liver damage or liver failure (in people with cirrhosis)*

* This side effect has been reported since Vosevi became available on the market. But because this wasn’t seen in clinical trials, it’s not clear whether Vosevi caused liver damage or liver failure or whether there may be other causes besides Vosevi.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Vosevi can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Vosevi, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Vosevi has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Risk of reactivation of hepatitis B virus in people with both hepatitis B and hepatitis C

If you’ve ever had hepatitis B, there’s a risk that taking Vosevi (used for hepatitis C) could reactivate the hepatitis B virus in your body. Reactivation is when the virus becomes active again. It may occur at any time while taking Vosevi.

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus can lead to liver failure and, in rare cases, death.

What you can do

Your doctor will do blood tests to check for the hepatitis B virus before you start treatment with Vosevi. If these tests show you have the hepatitis B virus, you may need to take medication to treat it.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Vosevi may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Vosevi.

Headache

Headache may occur while taking Vosevi. It was a common side effect reported in the drug’s studies.

What you can do

If you experience a headache during Vosevi treatment, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), may help ease symptoms. Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medications. Trying home remedies, such as applying a cold or warm compress or drinking more water, may also help with headache symptoms.

If your headaches are severe, bothersome, or don’t go away, talk with your doctor about other ways to manage them.

Nausea

Nausea was a common side effect reported in studies of Vosevi. Nausea was usually mild and temporary.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you experience nausea while taking Vosevi. It is recommended to take Vosevi with food, which can help manage nausea. Home remedies, such as peppermint tea, may also help ease nausea symptoms.

Talk with your doctor if you experience nausea that’s severe or bothersome during treatment with Vosevi.

Take note of the following important information to consider before taking Vosevi.

Vosevi has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Boxed warning for Vosevi” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Vosevi, discuss your health history with your doctor. Vosevi may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • liver problems
  • taking certain other medications, including amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifamate, Rifater)
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.