Overdosed, lost pill, changed schedule - Harvoni - Advice?

[sickpuppy]

Basically, I overdosed on Harvoni. Took 1 in the morning, and another one in the evening. There were no side effects, but I panicked a bit there.

My problem now? I'm one pill short and my schedule is inversed since I followed the schedule from the last pill taken (so I wouldn't overdose again the next morning). If I used to take it at 9.30am, I now have to take it at 8.30pm.

This is kind of a bummer because I was planning on not having any schedule changes. I don't want to mess with the balance of things. Do you think this can affect the treatment somehow (theorize, I know that per the indications, not really). Also consider that the change was made by overdosing, not prolonging the time until the next dose.

The real problem however: How do I get a replacement pill? I'm in the UK. The hospital said to feck off, they can't open a bottle just for one pill.

Gilead also said to go dig a hole, since they only offer replacements (via FedEx!) to US residents (they wanted to make this clear, residents too, not just citizens). I think this is messed up and shameful of them. They produce, distribute, market and sell the drug in the UK, but won't provide the support to go with it?

Ideas on how I can get a replacement pill?

[gnatcatcher]

Perhaps the total number of pills taken by the end of treatment rather than the total number of days is what matters? (In that case, you don't need a replacement pill.) You're really only 1/2 day ahead of the normal dosing schedule. Perhaps the medical professional in charge of your treatment will say everything is fine or will suggest that you go 25 hours between pills for a while (or some other gradual adjustment that will return you to your originally scheduled pill-taking time).

The medical professional managing my Harvoni treatment mentioned that accidentally taking two pills on the same day wasn't dangerous because people took that much during the stage 1 clinical trial. She didn't seem particularly concerned about taking doses at the identical time each day, either. She has supervised over 300 people on Harvoni, (not to mention countless people on earlier treatments). So I gather the treatment will work even if the dosing schedule isn't rigid. Still, it's human nature to feel as you are feeling right now. I hope your medical professional can put your mind at rest.

[Phil]

The dosing of any medication is not an exact science. The amount of a medication, milligrams for example, the dosing interval, how often a medication is taken, and the total length of dosing are all just approximations. Backed by the results of clinical trials. Would failure result from taking only 83 of 84 pills in total, for a 12 week treatment? That's so unlikely it's of no real concern. Would taking two pills together cause acute toxicity? Also exceedingly unlikely. If you miss a dose, or take a dose early, just get back on schedule as best you can and carry on. Astronomically unlikely to have any effect at all. The trial results reflect the difference between 8 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of treatment, for example. Not 12 weeks versus 11 6/7 weeks. Those numbers would be essential the same.

[sickpuppy]

This makes the puppy feel better.

[bham hal]

I just got off the phone with a pharmacist on the same issue but it was 2 ribavarin's.He said don't worry about it Ill be fine.My feet and legs are swelling and actually called about taking lasix.The answer was yes.

[Doogie60]

Overdose harvoni

[gnatcatcher]

Doogie, if by overdose you mean you took two pills instead of one, you'll be fine. As I wrote above, the medical professional managing my Harvoni treatment mentioned that accidentally taking two pills on the same day wasn't dangerous because people took that much during the stage 1 clinical trial. You can phone your doctor's office tomorrow to find out when you should take the next pill.

If you took a whole bunch of pills, then please seek prompt medical attention. We aren't doctors, so we don't know enough about that situation. Far better safe than sorry.

Gnatty

[Doogie60]

Thank you so much. It was this morning, I couldn't get a hold of my doctor. Some sites said to go to er to be monitored. Can't afford the ER, SO I just chilled and waited. Just a little dizziness and breathing a little rough but I think I'm fine. Should I take my regular dose tomorrow. ? Thanks again my Angel dear.peace :

[gnatcatcher]

Doogie, you need to speak to a medical professional. You still haven't said how many pills you swallowed, but you're giving me the impression it was more than two. That could be far more serious than your symptoms reveal. The pharmacy that handles your prescription may have provided you with a phone number to speak with a pharmacist or a nurse. Phoning that pharmacist or nurse would be free, and it's very important to get accurate information AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Gnatty

[gnatcatcher]

Doogie, that booklet that came with your pills contains the following:
OVERDOSAGE
No specific antidote is available for overdose with HARVONI. If overdose occurs the patient must be monitored for evidence of toxicity. Treatment of overdose with HARVONI consists of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs as well as observation of the clinical status of the patient. Hemodialysis is unlikely to result in significant removal of ledipasvir since ledipasvir is highly bound to plasma protein. Hemodialysis can efficiently remove the predominant circulating metabolite of sofosbuvir, GS-331007, with an extraction ratio of 53%.
(Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir are the two drugs in Harvoni.)

If you took more than two pills this morning, please get immediate medical attention somehow.

[Doogie60]

It was only two, thanks again and I feel no problems, I will call my doctor in the morning. Peace

[Lynn K]

I took 2 once.

I waited 24 hours after the second dose shouldn't make a difference but you should at least call your doctor to check on what they recommend.

[gnatcatcher]

Doogie, I'm so glad it was only 2 pills. Peace to you, too, and a belated welcome to the forums.

Gnatty

P.S. I kept a log during treatment and wrote down when I took each day's pill. If I hadn't, I would have had to re-count the pills to make sure I hadn't either forgotten or already taken one that day. I also marked down each glass of fluid to make sure I was drinking enough water, since Harvoni needs that.

[lporterrn]

Excellent and accurate response by everyone on this thread. When in a panic about stuff like this, other resources to use are your pharmacist and the drug manufacturer's hot line.

[Doogie60]

Thank you, it helped me not panic. Peace