Compare Harvoni vs. Olysio
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats hepatitis C.
Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir) is a combination pill for hepatitis C that you only need to take once a day. Depending on the amount of liver damage you have, it's sometimes taken together with another medicine called ribavirin.
Treats hepatitis C infection.
Olysio (simeprevir) is effective in treating chronic hepatitis C, but it must be used with other antiviral medicines.
Upsides
- Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir) is a simple hepatitis C treatment that can cure 96% to 99% of those with genotype 1 who have had no prior treatment. Most people only have to take 1 pill a day for either 12 or 24 weeks.
- The most common side effects are mild to moderate tiredness and headache.
- Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir) is also a good option for people taking HIV medications since it doesn't have drug interactions with most of these medicines.
- Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir) is approved for the treatment of hepatitis C in some people with severe liver disease and liver transplants.
- Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir) is also one of the first drugs approved to treat hepatitis C in children ages 12 to 17.
- Most people who take Olysio (simeprevir) together with other antiviral medicines have good results, with no signs of virus found in their blood three months later.
- Unlike some other hepatitis C medications, you can take Olysio (simeprevir) even if you are taking an acid reflux medication.
- Can take Olysio (simeprevir) for a shorter amount of time than other hepatitis C medications.
- Has less side effects than some hepatitis C medications.
Downsides
- Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir) needs an acidic stomach to be absorbed properly. This means that heartburn medications can affect how Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir) works, so talk to you doctor or pharmacist before starting any.
- Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir) can cause serious drops in heart rate when it’s taken with amiodarone. If you have to take them together, your heart rate needs to be checked regularly.
- You should be tested for hepatitis B before starting Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir), since untreated hepatitis B can become active again with medications that treat hepatitis C.
- If you have severe liver disease or have a liver transplant, you'll have to take Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir) with another medicine called ribavirin.
- Talk to your doctor if you're currently on rosuvastatin, as you shouldn’t take it with Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir).
- There's no generic available, so it can be very expensive.
- Olysio (simeprevir) should not be used alone, it must be used together with other antiviral medicines.
- There are many interactions between Olysio (simeprevir) and other drugs and herbal supplements. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medications.
- Olysio (simeprevir) can cause a rash if you're out in the sun, so you'll have to use sunblock or wear protective clothing.
- Olysio (simeprevir) only works with one specific type of hepatitis C, unlike others that treat all 6 types.
Used for
- Hepatitis C infection genotype 1, 4, 5, and 6
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$31287.20
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Reviews
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Side effects
8possible side effects
- Weakness / lack of energy31%
- Headache28%
- Tiredness18%
- Muscle pain9%
- Irritability8%
- Cough5%
- Dizziness5%
- Shortness of breath3%
5possible side effects
- Rash28%
- Itchy skin22%
- Nausea22%
- Muscle pain16%
- Trouble breathing12%
Risks and risk factors
- Hepatitis B reactivation
- History of hepatitis B infection
- Slow heart rate
- Amiodarone
- Beta blockers
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Drug interactions
- Taking rifampin
- Taking St. John's wort
- Ribavirin combination treatment
- Taking ribavirin with Harvoni (ledipasvir / sofosbuvir)
- Hepatitis B reactivation
- History of hepatitis B infection
- Slow heart rate
- Amiodarone
- Beta blockers
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Drug interactions
- Rifampin
- St. John's wort
- Ribavirin combination treatment
- Taking ribavirin with Olysio (simeprevir)
- Skin problems
- Taking Olysio (simeprevir) in combination with rivabirin and peg-interferon alfa