Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Victrelis

Just started on Vic on Friday. Besides the amount of pills one mush take, I can't seem to get over the nasty after taste. Really chemical like/poison like aftertaste. oh well, poison to the virus I hope. So my question is this: it says take with food, but is it necessary to take with 20g of fat, or is that only for incivek?
Anyone else starting this stuff?
39 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
223152 tn?1346978371
cbw - you asked about my last biopsy?  The last one I had was in 2007 about nine months after I relapsed.  It was grade 1, stage 1-2, very similar to my first one in 2005.  This one was grade 3, stage 3-4-- quite a bit of progression in 3 years.  The issue about the PCRs is that it is getting hard for the doctors to get approval for the VIC in time to get your first dose on time.  He said he has discussed this in a forum (whatever hepatologist forum he is in, I would sure like to be a fly on the wall there) but has no answer.  He suggested the Heptimax because it is fast.

specta -- I did have a Heptimax at the hospital once during my first round.  I got all my CBC blood work in the oncology dept because I was using a hemotologist there.(I think I got the heptimax there because my GI was out of town.)  This time the hepatologist is doing all the blood monitoring.  I guess I could check with the oncology department -- they really have the best phlebotomists - but I don't want to hang out there (sometimes it takes a long time).  I will check it out though. I can't believe it took you 3 weeks to get one result in.

frijole
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just started the Peg/Riba lead in 9 days ago, so far so good. I've been slacking on my reading, just havn't felt like it, good info in this thread. Not sure how long I'll treat, nobody really knows I guess. I'm on the PegIntron/Rebetol, what is the difference between Alfa2a and Alfa2b? I only just noticed that there is 2 types, not sure if the difference is in the makers or what. They gave me 11 refills on both, so I guess that's just in case. Either way, I can't complain when all meds are free. I will continue to look for everyones progress and post mine as I can, Thanks all! Mike
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oooh, ice cream. Actually, I think I'm getting used to the Vic aftertaste. Been eating like a pig last couple days, not very healthy though.
My newest thing now is itchiness over my knuckles and elbows. My left elbow looks like it is getting some kind of rash. maybe this is the dreaded RIBA rash? will be going to buy some hydrocortisone today. The goldbond helps, but the little bumps are still there.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 10 days in to Vic treatment and feel pretty good.  My biggest issue has been low ANC, am doing neupogen once per week.  Also the bad taste in my mouth.. is really bad.  The VIC causes extremely dry mouth, for me anyway.  I just bought biotene yesterday and it seems to help some.  I thought the VIC PCR indicators were at week 8.. if you are UND at week 8 then you do 28 total weeks of treatment, so you have a few more weeks to get that UND!  You will I am sure!  I have been bad about eating much when taking my Vic pills, everything just tastes bad and I don't have much of an appetite.  I just took my afternoon pills and am eating some ice cream with them.. hope that is enough.  

Good luck to you and keep us updated.  :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
cbw36
You are fine. You already have approval for the victrelis and the heptimax is a good choice. I suggested ordering both to Frijole because she wanted a low sensitivity test but didn't want have her insurance company to delay approval of victrelis. The sensitive tests take longer to get a result, especially the quantisure (mine took 3 weeks)


Frijole-Kind of dumb of me to suggest taking the quest test when you just mentioned that you don't have a quest lab. Oh well, you got the gist of it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm not sure I understand. Wouldn't the quest heptimax be best? Why order both?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Maybe you could have your doc order the quantisure or heptimax and the <43, If insurance won't pay for both the <43 it's probably cheap enough to pay for on your own. Bali the PCR/TMA man told me that the heptimax result comes quickly if you order the TMA portion only or side by side with the <43. I thought I read that the TMA sometimes produces false positives is that true?
-Dave
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That's awesome, thanks for the info. I got to tell you though, I am like THE unluckiest person in the whole world.  I was totally surprised that I had as good a drop in VL as I did after lead in.  It will be the greatest news if I were to be UND at week 4 of vic , or even better week 2.
Honestly, it would be better than winning the lottery, as after being diagnosed with this dz, money means very little compared to having my health back.  How sweet it would be.  I'll keep popping those pills.  Eat em and smile.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
"I too was wishing for rvr, but at least I know the interferon has some response,"

"RVR is defined as undetectable virus (HCV RNA) in plasma at 4 weeks after the addition of boceprevir" (end of treatment week 8)

You still have 4 more weeks to determine RGT. Just to "sorta" compare apples to apples, the week 8 PCR/TMA result is comparable to the week 4 result with Incivek. If you are und at week 8 (4 weeks of vic) and week 24 the recommendation is to treat for a total of 28 weeks.

http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/v/victrelis/victrelis_pi.pdf
rgt page 4


http://www.drugs.com/clinical_trials/final-results-boceprevir-phase-ii-hcv-sprint-1-study-showed-significantly-higher-svr-rates-compared-7079.html

"Importantly, the likelihood (predictability) of attaining SVR was greater for patients who received the boceprevir P/R lead-in regimens compared to the no lead-in arms. Of patients in the boceprevir P/R lead-in arms who achieved a rapid virologic response (RVR), 94 percent in the 48-week regimen and 82 percent in the 28-week regimen achieved SVR. RVR is defined as undetectable virus (HCV RNA) in plasma at 4 weeks after the addition of boceprevir. In the lead-in arms, 64 percent of patients achieved RVR. Fewer patients in the lead-in arms discontinued treatment due to viral breakthrough."
Helpful - 0
1711722 tn?1356487554
" I would even give my left testicle if I though it would help. It seems to be the one I always sit on anyway. "  Hahahahahahaaaa!!!  Uhm....thanks for the visual. LOL!

As for the bad taste (I too will be on Vic in a few weeks), I read in another thread that SOUR hard candies help.  I will be running out to the store to stock up.  Best to you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i usually go to the local hospital, which has a blood draw center.  I just called today, and they say they do both labcorp and quest. And as per insurance, who don't cover quest, however, if ordering doctor is in network, than they will cover it.  Mine happens to be in network.  
so anyway check out the local hospital, it can't hurt.
sorry for the biopsy results, what were your results last time you checked? and how long ago was that?
and as for the almost 2 log drop..I too was wishing for rvr, but at least I know the interferon has some response, and I'm not just shooting duds under my skin for the last 4 weeks, as I had very little symptoms after injections.
Helpful - 0
223152 tn?1346978371
"so doc decides to have me go check another pcr after 2 weeks on victrelis and then again on 4 weeks of victrelis.  he says reason is he wants to make sure there is no resistance issues developing.
also, offered me to take the heptimax test for greater sensitivity.
so what do you guys think?  sounds pretty kosher? "

Sounds like this doc has got your back.  I like the PCR after 2 weeks of Vic and I like the heptimax.    You had just short of a 2-log drop.  Of course, we would all like to be UND by week 4, but realistically this does not happen.  Week 12 is the do-or-die test.  

I screwed up last month and told my doctor I liked the LabCorp QuantaSure - a test sensitive  down to 2 IU/mL and that is what he ordered pre treatment.  Unfortunatley, I forgot it has a high detectable range of 2,000,000 IU/mL and I was over that.  Therefore, I don't have a good start VL.

We are currently trying to figure out what to do for the 4 week PCR (pre VIC). Apparantly some of the insurance companies are not approving the VIC without those 4-week results and the QuantaSure takes too long to get back.  I am going to tell him to order the test he usually would for week 4, but I sure want to more sensitive testing later.  He said I could do the quest heptimax, but I can't find a Quest lab in my town.

frijole
Helpful - 0
264121 tn?1313029456
It's really good to see so many people who have been dealing with this for so long, and to see so many mainstays who were here for me, clearing, treating, and starting to treat.  Good luck to all of you and good luck to the OP.
Helpful - 0
223152 tn?1346978371
willing
You know me - -just don't start too many threads.  I figured I would post my results from Friday's visit on my original biopsy thread to sort of give it an ending, but after a few hours, the post was already on page 2 with no responses.  (There are way too many (inane and redundant threads now a days).

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Liver-Biopsy/show/1561255

In a nut shell, the biopsy stands - grade 3, stage 3-4, about half fibrosis stage 3 and half fibrosis stage 4. Not eligible for response guided therapy with this dx.  The meds are ordered but I have not gotten the call from the pharma yet that they will be shipped.
Helpful - 0
264121 tn?1313029456
(looks around) Ben & Jerry's... ok.  and peanut butter, always worked well for me.  Am I the ONLY one who gained weight on treatment?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
so just a quick update...I got results of my 4 week lead in bloodwork:
viral load down to 52,000 from original 4.9 million. the doc seemed pleased with this.  CBC looks good.  Hemaglobin, neuts, and platelets all holding steady.  alt normal, ast a couple points about normal.
so doc decides to have me go check another pcr after 2 weeks on victrelis and then again on 4 weeks of victrelis.  he says reason is he wants to make sure there is no resistance issues developing.
also, offered me to take the heptimax test for greater sensitivity.
so what do you guys think?  sounds pretty kosher?
Hope all is well, best of luck to all of us.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
frijole: so are you going to give details  -  how'd the appt. go? A year and a half sounds like you're planning on the full 48 regardless of response. All the best with getting it under way - the sooner it starts the sooner it's over.

cando: can't say I'm surprised by the results of that survey..but I think you're brave to get anywhere near the topic!
Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
Even on plain interferon and riba I always had the most poisonous metal/medicine taste in the world. I swear I could smell it coming out of my pores - so you aren't alone most of us have had some discomfort even without adding the 3rd drug.
Helpful - 0
1755562 tn?1314793246
this is a awful virus.  I will be starting soon and i read how brave and strong you all are, it helps me to be brave also.  thank you all deb
Helpful - 0
223152 tn?1346978371
Dave - thanks for the encouraging words.  I hope to see your 6 month SVR post soon.  I hope you will see mine in a year and a half!
frijole
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Victrelis (boceprevir) and Incivek (Telaprevir) were approved a few months ago for treatment of HCV genotype 1 in conjunction with Interferon and ribavirin.
Helpful - 0
1722607 tn?1335747858
Is VIC the newest treatment drug that came out in may?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That's what it takes. Fight this thing all the way whatever it takes. Good luck to you too!
-Dave
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good luck with tx. Hoping all of us will be posting our SVR thread before long.
-Dave
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.