Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: Steve76 on December 01, 2015, 02:03:21 pm
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I on Harvoni just starting my third week. I want to alert people to the fact that most natural Toothpastes have Calcium Carbonate as the #1 ingredient. I have been using this Toms of Maine for 3 weeks looked at the ingredients and Calcium Carbonate is #1. Had no idea about it being in there.
I brush my teeth 1st thing in the morning and then take my Harvoni pill right afterwords. I don't knowingly swallow any Toothpaste but probably a bit gets swallowed plus any residue. Kind of freaking out now, I have changed out the Toothpaste for myself(wife likes the natural crap) and am using Colgate now with flouride.
Very worried I compromised my treatment. I worry a lot anyway...
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Is Calcium Carbonate contraindicated for use with Harvoni in the quantities you might absorb during tooth brushing?
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Steve, Harvoni's manufacturer Gilead has a web site (www.harvoni.com) and 24/7 nurse line. You can ask if the tiny amount you may have ingested is a problem. I'm guessing it isn't.
Welcome to the Hep Forum.
Gnatty
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Hi Steve and welcome,
The concern is antacids (e.g., aluminum and magnesium hydroxide) like tums which should be taken no closer to harvoni than 4 hours before and at least 4 hours after taking harvoni.
Other antacids contain calcium carbonate but the amount you might ingest with tooth brushing is negligible as compared with chewing a couple of calcium carbonate antacid tabs. So I truly believe you are fine.
Tooth paste is not listed on the prescribing information sheet for harvoni.
https://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/harvoni/harvoni_pi.pdf
But as Gnatty suggested you can call the nurse line for peace of mind.
Good luck on treatment
Lynn