Epclusa Vs Harvoni​ - Everything You Need To Know

With the continual advancement of Hepatitis C treatment, two medications have received a considerable amount of media and marketing attention—Epclusa and Harvoni. Both Epclusa and Harvoni are part of the Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) class of drugs that have transformed Hepatitis C treatment with high cure rates and fewer side effects. 

While both medications are substantially similar in most aspects, it is important for patients, healthcare professionals, and other interested parties wanting to learn about Hepatitis C treatment to understand the differences and details surrounding Epclusa vs Harvoni. This article will specifically address Epclusa vs Harvoni, providing comparisons related to differences, effectiveness, side effects, and overall effectiveness in treating the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

 

What is Epclusa?

Epclusa is a drug used for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults. It has two functioning ingredients: sofosbuvir and velpatasvir. Sofosbuvir inhibits the nucleotide polymerase, while velpatasvir is an NS5A inhibitor. Sofosbuvir prevents the virus from replicating, and velpatasvir impairs the virus's ability to replicate and assemble inside liver cells. Together, these two active ingredients are an effective treatment for common Hepatitis C genotypes (1-6).

Details:

• Brand Name: Epclusa

• Active Ingredients: Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir

• Treatment Duration: 12 weeks (most patients)

• Indication: Hepatitis C Genotypes 1-6, including people with cirrhosis

 

What is Harvoni?

Harvoni is a combination antiviral therapy, like Epclusa, that is used to treat chronic Hepatitis C infections. Harvoni contains ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. Sofosbuvir works the same way as Epclusa. Ledipasvir works by inhibiting the NS5A protein necessary for HCV replication. Harvoni is successful in treating Hepatitis C genotypes 1, 4, 5, and 6.

Details:

• Brand Name: Harvoni

• Active Ingredients: Ledipasvir, Sofosbuvir

• Treatment Duration: 8-12 weeks (depending on the severity)

• Indication: Hepatitis C Genotype 1,4,5,6

 

Epclusa vs Harvoni: Key Differences

Epclusa and Harvoni are both DAAs prescribed for Hepatitis C treatment, but there are significant distinct qualities that may impact a patient care provider's choice for prescribing these medications. This includes their active ingredients, the Hepatitis C genotypes they treat, and the length of treatment.

 

Feature	Epclusa	Harvoni
Active Ingredients	Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir	Ledipasvir, Sofosbuvir
Indication	Genotypes 1-6, including cirrhosis	Genotypes 1,4,5,6
Treatment Duration	12 weeks	8-12 weeks
Cirrhosis Treatment	Yes	No (for decompensated cirrhosis)
HCV Genotypes Treated	1-6	1,4,5,6

 

 

Efficacy of Epclusa vs Harvoni

Epclusa and Harvoni are both effective treatments for Hepatitis C. However, their effectiveness can vary based on the patient specific genotype and liver condition.

• Epclusa is indicated for Genotypes of HCV 1-6, which makes it useful for a mixed group of individuals that express many different HCV strains.

• Harvoni is indicated primarily for Hepatitis C genotypes 1, but is also for genotypes 4, 5 and 6. Harvoni has demonstrated a high cure rates of around 99% for individuals with genotype 1, one of the more prevalent genotypes in North America.

Both have high cure rates and a typical treatment duration of 12 weeks (in a majority of cases sometimes Harvoni treatment may be reduced to 8 weeks) depending on the particulars of the patient.

 

Side Effects of Epclusa vs Harvoni

Overall, side effects for both Epclusa and Harvoni are generally mild and well-tolerated compared to older Hepatitis C treatments such as interferon. Some patients may undergo side effects, including:

• Epclusa Side Effects: Fatigue, headache, nausea, and insomnia.

• Harvoni Side Effects: Fatigue, headache, nausea, and diarrhea.

It is important to remember that the side effects for both of these medications could be impacted based on individual health conditions. If you have liver disease, particularly cirrhosis, or any serious medical condition, be sure to speak to your healthcare provider first.

 

Cost and Accessibility

The cost of Epclusa & cost of Harvoni is one of the biggest considerations in the choice. Both drugs are expensive, and costs will vary slightly based on your location, insurance coverage, and any manufacturer discounts. However, Epclusa can be seen as more cost-effective since it can cover the most genotypes (1-6) which is around $74,000 (USA) and £39,000 (UK) for a 12 week branded course, thus one treatment for everyone; otherwise, Harvoni may have a more price tag with regards to treating Hepatitis C genotypes 1, 4, 5, or 6 which is around $98,500 for a full 12 week branded course and in UK £78,000. 

Both drugs are typically also covered under most insurance plans, but your co-pay and out-of-pocket will normally be high, especially with no insurance or a high-deductible health plan.

 

Which Medication is right for you?

Choosing between Epclusa and Harvoni depends on various things, such as your Hepatitis C genotype, liver health, and/other medical issues.

• Based on your Hepatitis C genotype, if it's Genotype 1-6, Epclusa may be the better choice because it works over a variety of strains.

• If your genotype is Genotype 1 and you want a shorter treatment duration, you may want to choose Harvoni.

Regardless, please consult a healthcare professional to find the best treatment plan for you. Your healthcare provider will factor in your history, and ultimately try to bring the best results for you.

 

Conclusion

In comparison to Hepatitis C, both Epclusa and Harvoni are favorably effective weapons. Epclusa has a broader efficacy statement indicating it interacts with all major genotypes, while Harvoni is an extremely effective option for Genotype 1 patients, who will also have an option for a short treatment duration.

Understanding the differences and discussing the options with a healthcare provider will be most helpful in your choice of treatment for your Hepatitis C condition. Either way, both formulations are a strong demonstration of how far we've come in the fight against Hepatitis C, both showing high rates of cure and offering hope that life may look much brighter for liver disease-burdened Hepatitis C patients shortly.

Generic Harvoni costs below $480 while generic Epclusa costs $500-$600 for a 12-week duration in India. If you're prepared to start your treatment course, you can order generic Epclusa and Harvoni online from us in India. We offer worldwide shipping, and our prices are competitive to allow you to access the treatment you need to manage and eradicate Hepatitis C.