Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => Living with Hepatitis C => Topic started by: Terri Tree on January 04, 2016, 12:55:18 am
-
Hi forum folks, What a nice support group. I have been super encouraged by reading the posts on here. I am so excited. I call the N.P. tomorrow and let her know how I am feeling. So far, no side effects and I am so happy I have this opportunity to be cured of Hep C. I thought it would be with me all my life. Every yr my doc would do the blood work, ultrasound and usually a C.T. scan too and was even talking about another liver biopsy! All that was scary to me. I tried Milk thistle to get my enzymes down and haven't been a drinker for 28 yrs. So, I may have a new chance to be healthier. A friend is interested in learning more about treatment, she has genotype 2b and doesn't want to take Ribivarin. Where do I direct her to read and learn. I am so glad this site and all you nice people are here sharing a struggle that I share, as struggle that is worth the fight. Thankyou
-
Hi again, Terri Tree -- glad your treatment has been going smoothly. Regarding your friend: the authoritative source for prescribing options is here:
http://www.hcvguidelines.org/full-report/initial-treatment-box-summary-recommendations-patients-who-are-initiating-therapy-hcv
Here's the excerpt about genotype 2:
Recommended regimen for treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 2 infection.
Daily daclatasvir (60 mg*) and sofosbuvir (400 mg) for 12 weeks is recommended for treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 2 infection who cannot tolerate RBV.
Rating: Class IIa, Level B
Daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) and weight-based RBV for 12 weeks is recommended for treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 2 infection.
Rating: Class I, Level A
Extending treatment to 16 weeks is recommended in patients with cirrhosis.
Rating: Class IIb, Level C
*The dose of daclatasvir may need to increase or decrease when used concomitantly with cytochrome P450 3A/4 inducers and inhibitors, respectively. Please refer to the prescribing information and the section on HIV/HCV coinfection for patients on antiretoviral therapy.
Alternative regimens for treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 2 infection.
None.
The following regimens are NOT recommended for treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 2.
PEG-IFN and RBV for 24 weeks
Rating: Class IIb, Level A
Monotherapy with PEG-IFN, RBV, or a direct-acting antiviral
Rating: Class III, Level A
Telaprevir-, boceprevir-, or ledipasvir-containing regimens
Rating: Class III, Level A
Whether your friend can convince the doctor and insurance company that "doesn't want to take Ribavirin" is equivalent to "cannot tolerate RBV" remains to be seen, but it's certainly worth trying.
Best of luck to you and your friend,
Gnatty
-
Congrats on passing the 2-week mark of your Harvoni, Terri Tree! :)
For your friend who is 2b, if it were me with 2b, I would be trying to get 12 weeks of Daklinza (daclatasvir) + Sovaldi (sofosbuvir). If she can get it through her insurance, great. If not, she can get the generic version of those 2 drugs overseas for $1,400 via the fixhepc (Australia Buyers Club) and the worldwide clinical trial they are currently running.
More info about the overseas thing is here:
http://fixhepc.com/redemption-2
Good luck to both of you! :)
kim
-
I will just add that to a lot of countries you can import drugs for your personal use for a period of 3 months and the US is one of them. So if you cant get your insurance than go the generic way BUT start, its the right time NOW when the damage is low.
-
Thank you for getting back to me. I wasn't sure where to find the info, so you all are so much help. I will let my friend know and keep encouraging her. I won't be having lab work until my 4th week of treatment, so I am just anxious for that time to get here. Feels like a good journey, for sure and I have been working, my Dr. said she didn't expect me to miss any days of work with my treatment. This is such a good learning place as well as all the support here. Thanks to all of you who responded.