Contraindication with Tamilflu

[Ddminfla]

Hi,

I started Harvoni 17 days ago, slight initial side effects, now feel better than in years.  My wife just tested positive for flu.   I am looking for an authoritative source for evidence of any interaction with Harvoni and Tamilflu, both Gilead products.

I emailed my liver doc, but no reply as yet.

I will suffer through the flu (no symptoms yet) if I have to with my first set of labs at the end of the tunnel...shining brightly


Thanks in advance.

[dragonslayer]

Since Gilead is also the developer of Tamiflu, I would give them a call.

[Ddminfla]

Dragon, thanks, I have tried of course to reach them but no luck getting through.  I should be able to reach my doctor today.  Still no flu symptoms crossed fingers...

[gator123]

This is my first post and after reading many days now with just this question in the back of my mind.  In case I get the flu what to do?  My worst fear is to be sick and lose my dose in the john (you know what I mean).  Just into this 6 weeks (Harvoni) so half way thru and doing okay but would love to hear the answer to Tamiflu (I hear is very expensive and only would relieve sickness for one day.

Thanks, in Florida, so happy to have somewhere to go to be informed.  Haven't heard from my doc since 2 week VL test which went from 8.9 million to 232.  Very happy but anxious like the rest of us as well as excited that this could be good.
Gator

[Ddminfla]

No response from Gilead.  It could be a time zone issue.  The dispensing pharmacist does not find any contraindication published, but does say, if she were the one taking the drug, she would check with the manufacturer.

With flu hitting several areas pretty hard, it would be great if Gilead would provide a response here or to dispensing pharmacists.  "We don't know" is acceptable, and understandable, given the newness of Harvoni.

Since both are closely targeted anti-viral, it is very possible that there is no interaction.  Tamiflu, however, would have to be far broader in the range of virus types it neutralizes. 

Hepchope did not have any information on this subject yesterday evening. 

[lporterrn]

Unless there was a very recent report, it looks like Tamiflu is safe. What I would seriously think about (especially those who don't have flu in their immediate household), is to get a flu shot. It takes a week to 2 weeks to give full protection, but better than not doing it. You usually can get these at your local pharmacy. We know the flu shot is safe with all the HCV meds, and it may give you an immune boost, which might bump up your HCV treatment response.

[Ddminfla]

Thank you very much for your response, all the best.

[Ddminfla]

I just received a call from Gilead, who advised that it was very unlikely that there would be any interaction between Harvoni and Tamiflu.  Really, the time turnaround was very good considering the somewhat unusual request - from a patient rather than a provider - and the caller was able to address my questions and did not "talk down to me" at all.

I am very pleased with the interaction with Gilead.