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Does Ribavirin cause anemia when used with Sovaldi??
My husband just got approved for Sovaldi + Ribavirin for 24 weeks. We are very excited but he needs to get his hemoglobin up before starting his treatment. We already have the meds in the house but can not start using them. He had a shot of procrit yesterday - labwork in a week to see if his hemoglobin is up from 8.9 (normal range starts at 13.9). His red blood cell count is 2.94 (normal range starts at 4.5).
I am confused. I had been told that when my husband was on triple treatment and had to stop because of severe anemia that ribavirin was the drug that caused the anemia but I just read in some old literature its the interferon shots that cause the anemia. So which is it? Or, is it both?
Is anyone who is using Ribavirin now with Sovaldi experiencing anemia? Just want to know what to look out for.
Thanks
Nan
I am confused. I had been told that when my husband was on triple treatment and had to stop because of severe anemia that ribavirin was the drug that caused the anemia but I just read in some old literature its the interferon shots that cause the anemia. So which is it? Or, is it both?
Is anyone who is using Ribavirin now with Sovaldi experiencing anemia? Just want to know what to look out for.
Thanks
Nan
Best Answer
Thank you both for your kind and supportive words. It means so much.
My husband is very cautious in accepting good news. Who the heck can blame him? I have been watching his labwork improve week after week and that's what gave me hope despite the very difficult HE episodes. He needs to be able to finally "feel" that things are improving. God willing, he will get this break from HE and know that things are getting better.
Thank you all again for your support through this. You have no idea how much it has helped me.
Nan
My husband is very cautious in accepting good news. Who the heck can blame him? I have been watching his labwork improve week after week and that's what gave me hope despite the very difficult HE episodes. He needs to be able to finally "feel" that things are improving. God willing, he will get this break from HE and know that things are getting better.
Thank you all again for your support through this. You have no idea how much it has helped me.
Nan
This is just fantastic. I know you both must be really happy. Hopefully for whatever the reason he's in the hospital will be resolved and he is able to finish treatment. A HGB at 9.5 with a low dose of Riba should stay stable. Finally maybe the break you both deserve is going to happen. Hang in there.
I am so glad to hear that you and your husband are hearing some good news. I know I and so many here are rooting for you both! Joanne.
Thank you, Mark.
I think this is wonderful news not just for my husband and I. I think it is terrific news for anyone who is struggling all these years with fibrosis/cirrhosis as a result of Hep C just waiting for something to help them.
All of you, take heart, if it can help my husband, it can certainly help all of you!
Get on a Sovaldi treatment asap!
Will he reach SVR? Will he be cured? I don't know but in the meantime, his body is getting a very much needed break from this virus and it will give him time to get to another treatment if need be that will cure him.
Am I excited? You bet I am!
Nan
I think this is wonderful news not just for my husband and I. I think it is terrific news for anyone who is struggling all these years with fibrosis/cirrhosis as a result of Hep C just waiting for something to help them.
All of you, take heart, if it can help my husband, it can certainly help all of you!
Get on a Sovaldi treatment asap!
Will he reach SVR? Will he be cured? I don't know but in the meantime, his body is getting a very much needed break from this virus and it will give him time to get to another treatment if need be that will cure him.
Am I excited? You bet I am!
Nan
What great news for you and your husband! I wish you both continued success with this.
My husband is back in the hospital but that is for another thread and post.
Hopefully he will be out soon.
The reason for this particular post is to CELEBRATE! Doctor told us last night his 4/3/14 HCV RNA test came back UNDETECTED!!!! Many of you have been reading my posts and know everything this man has been going through these last three and a half years as a direct result of this insidious monster. So to hear that his test came back "undetected" for the virus (despite his being on a lower dosage of the ribavirin) is just incredible.
His doctor had explained that because his kidneys do not function at full capacity, the ribavirin is not expelled as it normally would be, so although he is on a a lower dosage, its actually as if he were on a higher dosage. Given this result, I don't need further proof!
His hgb is now at 9.5 without the procrit shot this week so they are holding it unless they determine he needs it. I am praying - no procrit - no HE episode!
Will he will finally get a break?
He has 16 more weeks on treatment to go. God willing, the next 16 weeks will be a lot better than his last 8. But it will all have been worth it, if he reaches SVR.
Last thing - his liver biopsy showed cirrhosis caused by recurrent Hep C and bile duct blockages (result of hepatic artery blockage found one month post transplant). Eight weeks after starting this treatment his billirubin is now 1.2 (normal range). This shows his bile is getting through probably because of the reduced inflammation.
This new medicine (Sovaldi) is amazing! Its destroying the virus's ability to replicate, thereby removing the agent that's causing the injury, and allowing the body to heal itself as best it can. My husband's weekly labwork is proof of that.
Nan
Hopefully he will be out soon.
The reason for this particular post is to CELEBRATE! Doctor told us last night his 4/3/14 HCV RNA test came back UNDETECTED!!!! Many of you have been reading my posts and know everything this man has been going through these last three and a half years as a direct result of this insidious monster. So to hear that his test came back "undetected" for the virus (despite his being on a lower dosage of the ribavirin) is just incredible.
His doctor had explained that because his kidneys do not function at full capacity, the ribavirin is not expelled as it normally would be, so although he is on a a lower dosage, its actually as if he were on a higher dosage. Given this result, I don't need further proof!
His hgb is now at 9.5 without the procrit shot this week so they are holding it unless they determine he needs it. I am praying - no procrit - no HE episode!
Will he will finally get a break?
He has 16 more weeks on treatment to go. God willing, the next 16 weeks will be a lot better than his last 8. But it will all have been worth it, if he reaches SVR.
Last thing - his liver biopsy showed cirrhosis caused by recurrent Hep C and bile duct blockages (result of hepatic artery blockage found one month post transplant). Eight weeks after starting this treatment his billirubin is now 1.2 (normal range). This shows his bile is getting through probably because of the reduced inflammation.
This new medicine (Sovaldi) is amazing! Its destroying the virus's ability to replicate, thereby removing the agent that's causing the injury, and allowing the body to heal itself as best it can. My husband's weekly labwork is proof of that.
Nan
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Anemia
The primary toxicity of Ribavirin is hemolytic anemia, which was observed in approximately 13% of all Ribavirin/peginterferon alfa-2a- treated subjects in clinical trials. Anemia associated with Ribavirin occurs within 1 to 2 weeks of initiation of therapy. Because the initial drop in hemoglobin may be significant, it is advised that hemoglobin or hematocrit be obtained pretreatment and at week 2 and week 4 of therapy or more frequently if clinically indicated. Patients should then be followed as clinically appropriate. Caution should be exercised in initiating treatment in any patient with baseline risk of severe anemia (e.g., spherocytosis, history of gastrointestinal bleeding)
http://www.drugs.com/pro/ribavirin.html