Abbvie Viekira Pak

[art4949]

I have just been refused Harvoni and told I will start treatment in January on Abbvie Pak no Ribavirin. As I have borderline cirrhosis Fibroscan 11.5 genotype 1b. I worry about the side effects and long term damage the toxic drugs might due to me...seems a lot of pills when Harvoni would be simpler in every respect.

Anyone out there doing this treatment or finished it? Any advice?

Can't wait to clear this virus hopefully!

[ballie52]

Hi Art my friend got Abbies she coped well and that was with Ribba..got her svr at week 12 as predicted by her consultant..she is now feeling so much better..no joint pain and more energy now..she had very little side effects apart from getting a bit down during treatment. ..She is in her early sixties and coped well..The chances clearing the virus are close to nearly 100% with genotype 1..I know Harvoni was what you wanted Art but stick with it..it does the same job..great to hear your finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel Xx

[art4949 in reply to ballie52]

Thanks so much ballie, you are so right...I want to go into my treatment with a positive, 'stick to it' attitude...yep! I am beginning to see the light...all of us have had years of dealing with this disease and other conditions on top HCV...for me, this forum stops that loneliness from sinking in because truly even with a room full of loved ones I can feel separated because of this disease. Hope you are okay and ready to enjoy the holidays!

[cityman62]

Viekira Pak is the fourth drug product approved by the FDA in the past year to treat chronic HCV infection. The FDA approved Olysio (simeprevir) in November 2013, Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) in December 2013 and Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) in October 2014.

Viekira Pak’s efficacy was evaluated in six clinical trials enrolling 2,308 participants with chronic HCV infection with and without cirrhosis. In different trials, participants were randomly assigned to receive Viekira Pak or placebo (sugar pill); Viekira Pak with or without ribavirin; or Viekira Pak with ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks.

The trials were designed to measure whether the hepatitis C virus was no longer detected in the blood at least 12 weeks after finishing treatment (sustained virologic response, or SVR), indicating that a participant’s HCV infection has been cured. Results from multiple populations, including those considered difficult to treat, showed 91 to 100 percent of participants who received Viekira Pak at the recommended dosing achieved SVR. The recommended dosing for Viekira Pak is two ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir 12.5 milligrams (mg)/75 mg/50 mg tablets once daily and one dasabuvir 250 mg tablet twice daily.

The most common side effects reported in clinical trial participants were feeling tired, itching, feeling weak or lack of energy, nausea and trouble sleeping.

[rickyrocket1]

hi youll be fine dont know a great deal about it im on harvoni with riba. at least you dont have to take ribavarin some people it doesnt bother others its another storey im one of the latter so good luck and youll be fine

[ballie52]

I think most of us just might see this nightmare over..still waiting for my turn but hoping to get Harvoni maybe early next year..great news for all being treated right now..hope you all get through treatment without any major side effects. .good luck to everyone getting treatment right now..Happy days are coming!

[cityman62]

I hope you get it soonest-it seems to me to be a rather patchy,inequitable situation nationwide right now.

Best,Andy.

[Hidden]

What drug are you trying than? I've been through every clinical trial except the last cure pill one. They are all toxic. It destroyed my pancreatic disease, bulky spleen, gallbladder left me with portal hypertension, skin infection/lesions and severe gastritis. My liver is only functioning about 30% and I am genotype 1b. Ialmost passed away twice going through those clinical trials. Scared the hell out of my kids and me. One heapatologist told me it was worse than chemotherapy drugs. I can honestly say he was right!!!!

[art4949]

I am now being treated in January for my HCV genotype 1b 11.5 fibroscan, treatment naive, compensated liver with viral load under 6million with Harvoni no Ribavirin...thanks to my liver specialist nurse who knows how important it is to treat each patients individual case with careful consideration...

Patients who are treatment naive and do not present with poor health and are borderline cirrhotic want to be cured but not risk the good health they do have in the process. Also, many of us are older, over 60, therefore are less tolerant/efficient dealing with drug toxicity...and, many of us have other underlying health conditions and take other medications that complicate or reduce the effectiveness of these new drugs for treating HCV. The list is long for Abbvie Viekira Pak especially. We can manage and will for a cure, but why complicate what can be simple. What can be more simple than one pill a day for 90 days...I will let you all know how it goes!