Slowed heart rate on Sovaldi treatment?

[Hep Editors]

In a recent letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, French doctors warned that 3 out of 415 patients recently treated with Sovaldi-based regimens have developed a condition called bradyarrythmia, or slow heart rate.

In response, Gilead has underlined that the side effect is exceedingly rare. However, it can be noted that the pharmaceutical company did just recently update its labels for both Harvoni and Sovaldi to caution about the danger of combining them with certain heart drugs.

For more information: http://www.hepmag.com/articles/slow_heart_Sovaldi_2501_27988.shtml

[coloradogirl]

I experienced a low heart rate while on treatment. Using my phone's heart rate monitor, I found my heart rate was always just at or above 40 while at rest. I felt dizzy, tingly, and tired. Every day that I was on treatment, I felt that I had to go to the gym and do cardio to feel better. I was really afraid without that, I could have a heart attack.

I went to a cardiologist, and had a 48 hour halter monitor test. I had no sever problems during that time to indicate an immediate concern, but they did note the low heart rate, and two incidences where time between beats was much slower. I read that extreme athletes can have a slow heart rate, so I thought that could be the reason!? Now this report validates my concern, and that it must have been a side effect of the medicine.

Since I have been off treatment, my resting heart rate seems to have improved a little to around 56 at times during the day, but right now at 5:45 am, it is at 40. I hope it improves for me. I don't want a pacemaker.  Meanwhile, I will keep working out for the life of me!

[dragonslayer]

Hi Colorado.... There may  be another, more palatable way to look at this.. I dont know how often you work out, but folks who are fit and work out a lot very often have lower than normal heart rates..

The quoted article above specifically states:

"French doctors reported three cases, out of 415 people with hep C treated with Sovaldi–containing regimens, of individuals developing what is known as bradyarrythmia, or slow heart rate.

The people with hepatitis C were all taking Sovaldi with either Daklinza (daclatasvir), Olysio (simeprevir) or ribavirin.".

So, none were on Harvoni.. So far as I know, the only Harvoni data we have seen related to heart rate issues is when used in conjunction with Amiodarone .

So, isnt it very possible that your low heart rate is related to your fitness level instead of Harvoni, especially since youve been off it for awhile and still have a relatively low rate?  My pulse is also often low at resting. I just checked it at 55.  I'm in the gym pretty much 7 days/wk, and just chalk it up to being a positive attribute related to my workouts.  Ive been off Harvoni for a year so Im reluctant to relate it to treatment..

Hope you feel better!

[coloradogirl]

Dear Dragonslayer,

I had originally taken into account that the low heart rate might be due to my workouts, and not the medicine. However, I felt so bad during treatment, it caused me enough concern to go to the cardiologist. I understand that the rare cases they have seen involving Harvoni specifically are patients taking Carderone, too.  I am not in that patient category, nor am I a disciplined Olympian. 

Drug regimines containing Sovaldi are still relatively new on the market, and the results from a larger population of patients unveil new concerns not found in the trial data. New information comes out all the time on established drugs, too.  I am just adding my two cents by conveying what I experienced during treatment.

Respectfully yours,
Colorado Girl