As with other drugs, Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) can cause side effects, such as fatigue and headache. If side effects of Sovaldi become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Sovaldi is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Sovaldi is used with ribavirin and pegylated interferon.

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

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

Sovaldi 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 Sovaldi in clinical trials with ribavirin and pegylated interferon:

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

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

Mild side effects that have been reported by people who took Sovaldi with ribavirin and pegylated interferon include:

  • fatigue
  • headache
  • nausea
  • insomnia
  • mild anemia

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 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Sovaldi and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Sovaldi 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 Sovaldi’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Sovaldi, 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 by those who took Sovaldi with ribavirin and pegylated interferon include:

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Sovaldi can cause an allergic reaction.

But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

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 Sovaldi, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Sovaldi has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Risk or hepatitis B virus reactivation

Solvadi has a boxed warning for the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. If you have a history of HBV, Solvadi could reactivate the virus in your body. Some symptoms of reactivated HBV may include:

  • jaundice (yellowing of skin and the whites of the eyes)
  • abdominal pain
  • dark urine
  • reduced appetite
  • liver failure

What you can do

Your doctor will test you for HBV before beginning treatment for Solvadi. They’ll also test your liver function before and during your treatment with Solvadi.

If you have questions about HBV or your risk of reactivation, talk with your doctor.

While taking Sovaldi, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.

Nausea

Nausea was a common side effect reported in studies of Sovaldi. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • eating smaller meals more frequently
  • maintaining adequate hydration
  • avoiding foods that may be irritating to the stomach, such as greasy, spicy, or fried foods
  • taking over-the-counter anti-nausea medications

Insomnia

Insomnia was a side effect reported in studies of Sovaldi. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • waking up and going to bed at the same time each day
  • avoiding screens before bed
  • maintaining a dark, cool sleep environment
  • doing a relaxing activity before bed, such as reading

Sovaldi may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

What are the side effects of Sovaldi 400-milligram tablets?

Solvadi comes as 200-milligram (mg) and 400-mg tablets. The standard adult dosage is one 400-mg tablet of Solvadi, taken once per day. The side effects for 400-mg tablets include those mentioned in the “More common side effects of Solvadi,” “Mild side effects of Sovaldi,” and “Serious side effects of Sovaldi” sections of this article.

If you’d like more detailed information on Solvadi’s side effects, you can view the prescribing information. You can also speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are the side effect of Sovaldi similar to those of Epclusa?

Yes, the side effects of Solvaldi (sofosbuvir) and Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) are similar. Both medications contain the active ingredient sofosbuvir. Both drugs contain a boxed warning for the risk of HBV reactivation in certain people.

If you’d like more information on Epclusa’s side effects, read the Epclusa side effects article. You can also speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like more information.

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

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

Other precautions

Before taking Sovaldi, discuss your health history with your doctor. Sovaldi 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:

  • slow heart rate
  • history of liver problems, including liver transplant, liver failure, or hepatitis B (HBV) infection
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

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.