Hepatitis Forums

Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: SnowWhite on May 24, 2018, 11:44:33 pm

Title: Just started 6th week of a 12 week Harvoni - pin point red dots on skin
Post by: SnowWhite on May 24, 2018, 11:44:33 pm
Have anybody had this obvious side effects from Harvoni? At 5 weeks of taking the med, I noticed that I started getting needle point small red dots on skin (on my face and arms particularly). I understand that this is sign of bleeding under skin and most likely related to abnormal counts of platelets that can be caused by medications. I also understood effects of Harvoni to platelets is a rare side effect. It seems like the number of red sports is increasing each day and I am very concerned about the condition of my blood (I will have my first blood test in 1 week) that might cause me to stop the medication.

Has anybody had the same issue?
Title: Re: Just started 6th week of a 12 week Harvoni - pin point red dots on skin
Post by: Lynn K on May 25, 2018, 02:30:42 am
I’ve not heard of Harvoni having an effect on platelets but having liver disease is certainly associated with low platelets.

Years before I was diagnosed with cirrhosis and after having hep c for a couple of decades I did start having red spots hundreds of them.


Found this on the Mayo Clinic web site. Looks like there are many causes of petechiae.

“Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Tiny blood vessels (capillaries) link the smallest parts of your arteries to the smallest parts of your veins. Petechiae appear when capillaries bleed, leaking blood into the skin. A number of things can cause this bleeding, including:

Prolonged straining
Medications
Medical conditions
Prolonged straining

Tiny petechiae of the face, neck and chest can be caused by prolonged straining during activities such as coughing, vomiting, giving birth and weightlifting.
Medications

Petechiae may result from taking some types of medications, including:

Phenytoin (Cerebyx)
Penicillin
Quinine (Qualaquin)
Infectious diseases

Petechiae may be caused by any of a number of fungal, viral and bacterial infections, including:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection
Endocarditis
Meningococcemia
Mononucleosis
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Scarlet fever
Sepsis
Strep throat
Viral hemorrhagic fevers
Other medical conditions

Petechiae may also be caused by noninfectious medical conditions. Examples include:

Vasculitis
Thrombocytopenia
Leukemia
Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency)
Vitamin K deficiency“
Title: Re: Just started 6th week of a 12 week Harvoni - pin point red dots on skin
Post by: SnowWhite on May 25, 2018, 02:14:09 pm
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for replying. I did read your previous postings that mention platelets issues. You have been very very helpful on this site! When I contracted the virus, I too started developing a lot of them on the arms, but they subsided with time. Then they are suddenly back at a noticeable level and speed at 5 weeks of taking HA. I understood that the blood leakage and platelets are not reported as a very common side effect associated with HA (I heard this issue counts for 1 % of those with HA?). I guess I will just have to wait to see what my 6 week blood test shows. I am totally hoping I am one of those 99% that do not get platelets affected!