A hepatitis C antiviral
Glecaprevir
A hepatitis C antiviral combined with pibrentasvir (Maviret) that often cures the infection in an eight-week course.
What is Glecaprevir?
Glecaprevir is a direct-acting antiviral used to cure hepatitis C. It is given combined with pibrentasvir in a tablet called Maviret, which often allows a shorter eight-week course and works against all the main types of the infection. It is usually well tolerated. It must be avoided in severe liver impairment, and it interacts with several medicines — including some cholesterol-lowering statins — so your specialist team will review everything you take. It is prescribed and supervised by a specialist liver or infection team.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Glecaprevir — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Glecaprevir is one of the direct-acting antivirals used to cure hepatitis C, a virus that infects the liver. It is combined with pibrentasvir in a tablet called Maviret, so the two medicines work together against the virus. A notable feature is that, for many people without advanced liver scarring, the course can be as short as eight weeks, and it treats all the main types of hepatitis C. Untreated, the virus can lead over many years to liver scarring (cirrhosis) and liver cancer, but a short course now clears it in most people. It is started and overseen by a specialist liver or infectious-diseases team.
How it works
Glecaprevir blocks an enzyme the hepatitis C virus uses to process the proteins it needs to reproduce (a protease). Its partner pibrentasvir blocks a different viral protein, so together they stop the virus copying itself from more than one direction. This combined attack is highly effective across all the main virus strains and helps prevent resistance. Over the weeks of treatment the virus in the blood falls to undetectable levels, and a blood test after the course confirms whether it has been cleared for good.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: AbbVie.
A direct-acting antiviral developed for hepatitis C and used in the UK combined with pibrentasvir as the Maviret tablet.
Practical use
How to take Glecaprevir
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the Maviret tablets exactly as your specialist team directs, usually once a day with food, and complete the full course.
- Take it with food, as this helps your body absorb the medicine properly.
- Tell your team about every medicine you take, especially statins for cholesterol, as some may need pausing or changing.
- Do not start it if you have severe liver impairment unless your specialist has confirmed it is suitable.
- Attend your follow-up blood test after the course, as this confirms whether the virus has been cleared.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Glecaprevir
Advantages
- Often allows a shorter eight-week course for people without advanced liver scarring.
- Works against all the main types of hepatitis C and cures the great majority of people.
- Generally well tolerated, with mostly mild side effects.
Disadvantages
- Must be avoided in severe liver impairment, as the medicine can build up and cause harm.
- Interacts with several medicines, including some statins, which may need pausing or changing.
- Only available through specialist services and needs a follow-up test to confirm cure.
Practical use
Good to know
Hepatitis C is now curable for the great majority of people, and the glecaprevir-with-pibrentasvir (Maviret) course is popular partly because it can often be completed in eight weeks. It is usually well tolerated, with headache and tiredness the most common effects. Two important points stand out: it must not be used in severe liver impairment (because the medicine builds up and can do harm), and it interacts with a number of medicines — notably some statins for cholesterol, which may need pausing or changing, as well as certain other drugs. Your specialist team will go through your full medicine list. Finishing the whole course and attending the follow-up test give the best chance of cure.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with severe liver impairment should not take it, as it can build up and cause harm.
- It is avoided alongside certain medicines (such as some statins, rifampicin and St John's wort) because of interactions.
- It is used with care in people taking a wide range of other medicines, which the team will review.
Monitoring
- A blood test some weeks after finishing to confirm the virus has been cleared.
- Checks on liver function and response during treatment.
- Review of statins and other medicines to manage interactions.
Side effects
- Headache and tiredness are the most common effects and are usually mild.
- Nausea or itching in some people.
- Rarely, more troublesome effects that should be reported to your team.
Key interactions
- Can raise the levels of some statins for cholesterol, which may need pausing or changing.
- Rifampicin and St John's wort can lower its levels and stop it working.
- It can affect certain other medicines, including some used for HIV and irregular heart rhythms, so your team will review everything you take.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth with food, as a fixed combination with pibrentasvir (Maviret).
Answers
Glecaprevir: frequently asked questions
What is Maviret?
Maviret is the tablet that combines glecaprevir with pibrentasvir; the two antivirals work together to cure hepatitis C across all its main types.
How long is the course?
For many people without advanced liver scarring the course can be as short as eight weeks; your specialist team will confirm the exact length.
Why must I take it with food?
Taking it with food helps your body absorb the medicine properly, so it works as intended.
Can I take my statin with it?
Glecaprevir can raise the levels of some statins, so your team may pause or change your statin during treatment; always tell them what you take.
Is it safe if my liver is badly damaged?
It must be avoided in severe liver impairment, as it can build up and cause harm; your specialist will choose a suitable treatment for you.
The wider class
About Hepatitis C antiviral (protease inhibitor)
Glecaprevir belongs to the hepatitis c antiviral (protease inhibitor) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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