Boceprevir, Telapevir & choice motovation

I am 57 yo female and was diagnosed with HCV 1994.  (I received plasma in 1989 after giving birth but not sure that's the cause.)  I'm treatment-naive.  My doctor chose Boceprevir + PR.  My viral load is 499,000.  Genotype 1a.  Not sure about the genes I've heard about (CC, CT or TT).  I'm supposed to start treatment this weekend -- it took 2 weeks for insurance to approve treatment.  For the last few days, I've perused the FDA hearings and saw my doctor testified for Merck/Boceprevir.  That was April 2011.  Two weeks ago, we decided to initiate treatment and my doc asked me which drug I wanted.  I was unsure and had done only minor research.  He steered me to Boceprevir.  He's a very well-known hepatologist; I like and trust him and I agreed.  Now, after doing my diligence, I'm not sure if I'm getting Peginterferon (2b) or Pegasys (2a).  (I have not seen a study where Boceprevir was used with Pegasys + Ribavirin.)  I'm not sure if I'm doing the 4 week of PR alone before the administration of Boceprevir (as I've read is their plan of treatment).  The nurse is coming Saturday to instruct me so I guess I'll find out then.  When I saw my doc, he said Boceprevir has high incidence of diarrhea but a higher response rate and uses RGT.  However, my subsequent research shows that Boceprevir has higher incidence of anemia than Telaprevir; that Teleprevir has higher SVR for treatment-naive; Telaprevir has shorter treatment duration (24 TW vs 28) for eRVR's and that both treatment plans use RGT.  Has anyone heard that Boceprevir causes diarrhea?  Do both Telaprevir and Boceprevir use RGT?  Does Telaprevir have a higher SVR in treatment-naive patients exhibiting eRVR?  Should I be concerned that my doc's loyalty is with Merck and not me? Thanks...

[lynda607]

Both drugs have shown high rates of SVR for those who have relapsed and are treatment naive.  Incivek stats for SVR are slightly higher.  It won't matter which pegylated interferon is used, they're both pretty much the same.  

There are side effects exclusive to each.  Virtrelis is associated with gastro problems and diarrhea but so is Incivek.  Anemia can occur with both but the incidence is higher with Victrelis and rash is more prevalent with Incivek   Treatment duration with Incivek can be shortened to 24 weeks for naives and relapsers with eRVR or UND at 4 weeks and both manufacturers use RGT.  It is recommended nulls, partials and cirrhotics treat for 48 weeks.  

You stand a good chance of SVR with either PI.