Solvaldi May Cause Hepatitis B To Come Back

Last Updated on September 11, 2024

Imagine: you’ve spent close to $84,000 to treat your Hepatitis C with Solvaldi. Sure, your doctor knew about the previous diagnosis of Hepatitis B, but you were able to go through a successful treatment and put that behind you. Now, after paying what amounts to $1,000 per pill for a 12 week treatment, you’re devastated to find out that you’re again showing symptoms of Hepatitis B. Could Solvadi be to blame?

Solvaldi Linked To Recurring Hepatitis B

Solvaldi has a good track record of successfully treating Hepatitis C. However, the FDA has issued a box warning for Solvaldi because of the reactivation of Hepatitis B during treatment. Sadly, reactivation of existing Hepatitis B isn’t the only concern. It was noticed that with Solvaldi, Hepatitis B reactivation may cause potentially fatal liver complications. Doctors and other healthcare professionals are encouraged to monitor their Solvaldi patients for signs of Hepatitis B.

Why Wasn’t The Link To Hepatitis B Known Sooner?

Between the financial commitment a person undertakes to receive a 12 week Solvaldi treatment for Hepatitis C and the risk of Hepatitis B reactivation, why wasn’t this particular link known sooner? When drugs are being considered for FDA approval, they undergo several rounds of human trials. Perhaps the link between reactivation of Hepatitis B and Solvaldi would have been known sooner if the human trials had included individuals who were previously treated for Hepatitis B.

What Is Hepatitis B?

It is important to remember that currently the use of Solvaldi and reactivation for Hepatitis B only exists for people who have previously had the disease. Hepatitis B is contagious. It can only last a few weeks and have mild symptoms or it can cause a life-threatening medical emergency. With Solvaldi treatment for Hepatitis C, the reactivation of Hepatitis B has caused severe liver damage that may be fatal.

There are two types of Hepatitis B: acute and chronic. In acute Hepatitis B, the virus is short term, usually around six months. It often goes away with treatment. When it doesn’t go away, Hepatitis B is considered chronic.

You can have Hepatitis B and never know that you have it. That’s why it is extremely important that you are monitored during your Solvaldi treatment. Even if you don’t have symptoms of Hepatitis B, if the virus is in your body, it is possible that you could still spread the infection to others.

Hepatitis B is contracted by:

• The birth process
• Sex
• Sharing syringes or needles
• Sharing items like a toothbrush
• Direct contact with open sores
• Exposure to blood

Hepatitis B can also survive outside of the body for seven days.

Symptoms Of Hepatitis B

If you’re currently being treated for Hepatitis C with Solvaldi, you should know the symptoms of Hepatitis B. Remember, you can have Hepatitis B and never realize that you have it. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Lack of an appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dark colored urine
• Clay-colored bowel movements
• Joint pain
• Jaundice

Talk to your doctor about testing for Hepatitis B.

Did You Develop Hepatitis B While Taking Solvaldi?

If you developed Hepatitis B while taking Solvaldi, contact Goldwater Law Firm. You may have be entitled to substantial compensation. We provide free case evaluations for patients taking Solvaldi who develop Hepatitis B. To learn more about how we may be able to help you, contact us now.