Take Ribaviron with food question

[flyinlynn]

I have the Ribavirin now but not sure about the take with food part. I eat fairly irregularly no set schedule. Is taking with say a banana, a piece of bread or some almonds enough food? Or does it need to be an actual meal? I know some may suggest peanut butter but I do not eat that. Really I don't eat "meals" very often. Is a bowl of cereal ok?

Thanks

[flyinlynn]

Yes

Harvoni 2 meds in one pill and Ribavirin 600 mg one in the morning one at night.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

Yes solvadi needs something in the stomach before eating. I've yet to hear about anyone relapsing on Sovali Riba but it's too soon to tell. I guess you are on Harvoni Riba? That is 3 meds. S/L and Riba

[susan400]

First off, I have to say, I LOVE peanut butter.  Living alone, it's hard to be motivated to cook full meals, the chopping up stuff, dicing, etc.  There are many times when all I'll eat is a peanut butter and jelly. Yes, I know sugar is bad for you. I've heard that too many times to count. With that said, I've never been diabetic, have NO blood sugar problems whatsoever, no cholesterol issues, no BP issues, so I'm good as far as I'm concerned. Anyhow, I always had my Ribavirin with breakfast and supper.  If breakfast was an egg and toast, took Riba.  If supper was soup and PBJ took Riba.  If supper was a salad w/chicken breast, took Riba, etc., etc.  But, I would probably say, you're better off listen to the people who actually have cleared this thing., i.e., some of the 'healthy' people who don't eat peanut butter, LOL.     Susan400

[flyinlynn]

Thanks for the tips

I sure hope this is my last dance with the dragon this time I want to lead!

[Livelife777]

Lynn.  I'm not a big eater but felt better when I took the Riba with food.  Kinda like you as hit or miss with my eating schedule.  It takes 20 mins for the food to hit your stomach, so I would try to eat some protein laced snacks.  Couple pieces of cheese, nuts, yogurt, smoothie, or turkey rolled up.  It beats the nausea which you may feel around week 3-4.
Plain crackers with some ginger ale helped should you feel queasy.  Some never had this sensation, but better should you have it on hand just in case.
Excited for your new regimen.  Know you'll hit it outta the park.
.....Kim

[Dee1956]

So great to see you!!!
Thanks for the information.  Dee

[hrsepwrguy]

Effect of Food on Absorption of Ribavirin

Bioavailability of a single oral dose of Ribavirin was increased by coadministration with a high-fat meal. The absorption was slowed (Tmax was doubled) and the AUC0-192 h and Cmax increased by 42% and 66%, respectively, when Ribavirin was taken with a high-fat meal compared with fasting conditions

http://www.drugs.com/pro/ribavirin.html

[Dee1956]

Thank you for the info!

[Dee1956]

Congratulations Lynn!  So happy for you.  When I treated the first time 2008 no mention was made of taking it with food or fat.  I wonder if that is why I relapsed.
The second time I was taking it with the Incivek so lots of fat was involved :)
I think....to be on the safe side I would eat a little bit of fat with it.
It can't hurt and may help digestion.
Really happy for you Lynn.  You are a real fighter/warrior and give hope to so many who are reading but not posting.
Pat peanut butter was really a good idea.  I ate so much peanut butter with Incivek I had to get a new keyboard as it got sticky LOL
Thank you
Dee

[patra_]

My dr had also said a meal was not necessary, but I think they are focusing on the Sovaldi.  The Riba insert says take with food.  I got the 'a little good fat' part on here as people have said the Riba binds to the bit of fat and is easier for the system to process.  Peanut butter would fill that requirement as it has  good fat (nuts) and protein.  Not a requirement but, in keeping with trying to give my system every opportunity to heal, if a spoonful of yogurt or peanut butter (or half an avocado, etc) improves the working of the meds, so much the better.

This  is not like the old days when we had to have 70 grams of fat with each dose ( thank, goodness ). And, yes, Lynn, I often had cereal with meds, the just a teaspoon of yogurt.  Again, there is no requirement for the fat...I mention it because It was recommended to me, I used it and didn't have nausea, etc.    Pat

[can-do-man]

The conclusion I got and my doctor was fine with was a meal is not needed but eating something, maybe a little fat is fine. Myself I would think a bowl of cereal would work just fine... Best to you.

[flyinlynn]

Thanks Can do I hoped someone would look up an old thread not sure how to find those my self.

I see the title is fatty food I have only seen fatty required with telaprevir and I only saw with food on the riba info guess I should read the link!

Thanks
Lynn

[patra_]

When not 'hungry' I would eat as little as a good tablespoon of yogurt (Plain, greek style, nothing added), a few blueberries, and a few almonds, or pecans.  Not much but good fat, protien & fruit.  Worked perfectly.

[flyinlynn]

I got that from reading the package insert says take with food.

Guess I will have to skip my disease on 13 Feb when I have my upper endoscopy because nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

But as long as I just need a few bites with the meds I saw some say a few crackers would also work

[Ekkiemom]

Anything you mentioned above should be fine. I don't know if I was just lucky but I didn't get nausea at all. I dont think you HAVE to eat anything, but the Riba absorbs better with food in your tummy.
Be well Lynn
Deb

[flyinlynn]

I buy Fage Fruyo so that ought to work

Thanks!

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

Anything to coat the stomach and get the stomach's digestive  juices going should do it.
Anything at all will do as long as it is 'something' and it's close to the time you are to take the meds. (Riba) Say within a half hour to an hour of eating. Within a half hour to be safe. Don't forget your yogurt with probiotics. It works well to help the meds kill the bugs. I think you have access to NANCY'S yogurt. Full fat Plain yogurt, rather than low fat honey is best.