Missed a dose of Riba

I believe it or not forgot to take my Riba this morning and didn't realize it until I went to get my dinner dose - so I took that - can I take the missed dose say at 10 pm - 5hrs later? You'd think after 7 weeks I'd have this down pat.

[Sweetie6852]

can anyone answer please?

[FlGuy]

If it was me and I missed a dose of 2 riba..I'd take one now and one with the dose in the morning. If I missed three riba...I'd take one now, one with the dose in the am, and one tomorrow evening.

[Sweetie6852]

Thank you I will do that

[pln]

Man, I know how hard it is to remember to take meds on time, In my study I take 3 pills at 8am, 1 pill at 9 am, 3 pill at 4 pm, 2 pills at 9pm, then 3 pills at 12am. so I keep a diary and it really really helps. Also I set the alarm on my cell for the 4, 9 and 12am dose, that also helps.Pam

[NYCMark]

Hi! Is it ribavirin that you are taking at all these hours, or that and some other pills? Ribavirin has a very long half-life (a measure of the time is stays in your system)and there really is no need to take it more than a couple of times a day. Unless the number of pills that you have to take at one time is unpalatable.

Mark

[pln]

Hi, I am in the vx-950 study, so at 9am I take 3 vx, 9 am 1 riba, 4 pm 3 vx, 9 pm 2 riba, and 12an 3 more vx. I have been doing this for 12 weeks only 6 more days of the vx-950, then more soc. Pam

[Sweetie6852]

I take 3 Ribavirun at breakfast and 3 at dinner.  For some reason I missed the 3 this morning and got busy with work and never realized until I went to get the 3 at dinner.

[cuteus]

it is best to ask the pharmacist or the medical provider.  they might just say to forget about making the dose up.  you should always run any medical decissions by your dr, it is safer than sorting through several opinions in the internet.  you might end up with palpitations from over dosing with riba, like I did. consult your dr, please.

[bobbyullc]

if you want go ahead...but put in in perspective...if 48 weeks you will take 1680 pills...missing or late on 2 is not a big problem...

[Sweetie6852]

Thank you everyone for your advice - it's much appreciated.

[jmjm530]

Most doctors and pharmacists will tell you to forget the missed dose and just move on.

That said, the couple of times I missed a dose, I always made it up either as soon as I remembered, added it to my next dose or spread it out in a fashion similar to what FLGuy recommended. Of course, the more you add, the more you add at any one time, the more of a "buzz" you get, like for example if you take six at once like I once did. Less buzz if you spread the missed dose out.

Just make sure of course to take it with some food that has adequate fat in it. Maintaining as close to full dose riba is important, especially during the first 12 weeks of treatment. Fortuantly, riba has a very long half life, so the exact time you take it is less important than getting the right amount down the hatch every 24 hours or so.

All the best.

-- Jim

[FlGuy]

So what's the plan for week 13?  Do they jump into procrit then and then consider upping the riba when it takes effect?

[pln]

Hi, I have been pondering that question for awhile now, I do know my DR dose not think I need procrit. I am scared, BIG TIME SCARED that when I go in monday at the beging of week 13 my study nurse tell me well, Pam thanks alot you are in the 12 week group now all meds stop and come in every week and give us blood! WOW.. I am doing alot of thinking right now. How about your thoughts. Pam

[FlGuy]

That's a tough one with vx not having a track record yet.  I'm sure the best news (like Mr E views) is to be on the 24 or 48 arm.  I think you are on 600 mg riba now?  That's not a very big dose, but if the vx did what it was supposed to do it's the IFN that's more important now.  Do you know what your hgb is now? And do they have a line drawn for procrit for those who go beyond 12? And if they do procrit at a level which you qualify will they perscribe it or make you go to the trial site which will likely be a weekly event?  Lots of questions, many of which get answered next week.
A while back I started talking with a trial coordinator at UM.  We were speaking of trials in general, not vx in particular, and I asked if they would leave me high and dry if a trial result left me without svr.  She said they just don't drop and run, they come back and 'take care' of those that didn't clear.  Now, she should have been thinking in terms of Schering and Roche drug trials, but it might be worh an ask.  So much rides on next week.

[Kalio1]

How are you feeling? How is the rash? That's a lot of VX pills, a day. Do you notice anything when you take them? Are they going to keep your Riba at 600? Sorry for all the questions.Do you feel you have gotten good care from the study doctors/nurses? That must be so hard not to know the details.
That would drive me crazy! I'd be dying to know my stats. I would have done the trial in a heartbeat.

Think positive! You are on VX950 right now be virus free forever! It's cool to have it before the rest of the world does.

[Kalio1]

The people before you cleared in 28 days, so it sounds like you have super good chances to have already sent the virus packing.
Im so glad to hear the rash treatment is working!

[pln]

IF AND THATS A BIG IF, I don't clear or if the hcv comes back vertex will give me soc for 48 weeks. yes I am only on 600 mg a day of riba, (feel like popping a extra one now just writing that) as of last monday my hbg was 9.5, but I can handel that, My DR keeps telling me I don't need procrit??? I would love to have it at the end of this week up my riba to 1200 and do 3 more months! I WOULD LOVE TO DO THIS!! yes, alot will (should) be told to me monday. Wanna go with me? this is like the first vx-950 day I have to stay 4 hours to have blood taken every hour. I guess to see how fast the vx clears out of the body??.    Kalio, Thanks I am feeling good, the cream is working!! yes it is alot of pills, 9 a day, do not notice any-thing? I will write more later someone is here. Pam

[LucyinSpain]

Hi,  My husband is on the treatment and just got back his 4 week results.  He is down from 8 million viral count to 15.  We are doing cartwheels here (not undetectable but a good chance for a change - he has down two treatments before that have failed).  It is nice to have a happy day.  Anyway, what I wanted to share was that he missed a couple of doses of his ribervarin - goodness knows how as he is very diligent but the brain fog got to him.  Just want to pass on a 'don't despair' message.  Keep contributing to this forum - it is a great comfort to all those taking the treatment and their families.  Still got weeks of horrible treatment to get through but fingers crossed.  Love and blessings to all in this community.  Lucy

[1fish2fish]

My Dr. tells me if it makes it any easier I could take both AM & PM @ the same time. When I stop the Incev. I'll do just that.

[willbb]

Hi  Lucy from Spain  :)

Congrtaulations to hubby  having such a significant viral load drop early.
What treatment is he taking and what type of  "non responder " was he on his last two attempts if you don't mind sharing.

Missing a couple of doses of Riba is not a crucial problem ,however hopfully doesn't become a habit.

Good luck to you both and welcome to the group..
Will

Oh..in the future it may be best to start your own thread (by going the the orange icon above that says "post a question" ) with some news as this one is about 6 years old and many may not see it and/or respond.. :)