Hepatitis Forums

Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: Jonny on January 22, 2019, 11:50:42 am

Title: Epclusa and marijuana? (or anything else anti-deppressive?)
Post by: Jonny on January 22, 2019, 11:50:42 am

I started epclusa a couple of days ago, and I fell into a deep depression pretty quickly. I am bipolar and suffer from depressions at times as it is, but they´re usually somewhat managable. This time though it´s just more than I can handle, I would literally rather let the infection kill me than going through 12 weeks of this.

The one thing I can think of that could possibly help is smoking weed, but I have been unable to find any viable information on whether this could interfere with the treatment. Does anyone here know anything about this?

And does anyone know anything else that could help? I am not talking about sleep, diet, excercise etc. but actual treatments/medications.

Title: Re: Epclusa and marijuana? (or anything else anti-deppressive?)
Post by: Lynn K on January 22, 2019, 02:17:05 pm

Here is something just posted from the editors related to marijuana

https://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=5605.0;topicseen

There are no known interactions on the prescribing information sheet that should have come with your prescription between antidepressants and Epclusa.

From my understanding treating depression is fairly individualized. Your best option would be to check with your treating physician. probably the doctor treating your bipolar disorder.

The old treatments were very difficult for those with any form of depression many had to stop treatment for that reason. If you don’t have advanced liver disease and especially if you have a low fibrosis score and little to no liver damage you may want to consider delaying your treatment but again you should discuss this with your doctor. If they don’t know you are struggling they can’t help you.

Best of luck to you.

Title: Re: Epclusa and marijuana? (or anything else anti-deppressive?)
Post by: lporterrn on January 23, 2019, 06:12:45 pm

Depression is so potentially serious, that I strongly encourage you to talk to your doc rather than self-medicate. I have nothing against weed use, but in some people it can worsen depression. I am so sorry you are going through this - I struggled with this for years and I know how rough it is.

Title: Re: Epclusa and marijuana? (or anything else anti-deppressive?)
Post by: andrew j on February 02, 2019, 05:47:36 pm

Jonny,

I keep thinking about you, and wondering if you are still on Tx?

I hope that you are!

I can only hope that the depression comes and goes, so that you can ride it out ... or - that you've found something that'll alleviate it for you.

Best wishes,

A.

Title: Re: Epclusa and marijuana? (or anything else anti-deppressive?)
Post by: dandyindeed on February 06, 2019, 02:13:31 pm

I searched some literature and found an article from the Canadian J of GAstroentro and they documented no impact on outcome from thc use.    I'm a thc user.    Yesterday I had my ed & train to start my meds today and my RN said they leave that choice up to me.   

Title: Re: Epclusa and marijuana? (or anything else anti-deppressive?)
Post by: Nina Mae on March 05, 2019, 04:53:40 am

I'm in Vancouver, BC.  I told my hepatologist, my nurse practitioner, and anyone who would care know I consume pot.

Both independently said that there is no adverse interactions from the use of pot and Epclusa. 

It helps me with stomach pain.