Viekira Pak

[pat12]

Hey guys, thought I'd ask you knowledgeable folks here your thoughts...I'm treatment naive, gt 1b, low viral load, fibroscan 4.5, had hep c for 40 years, yet "not sick enough" for my plan to pay for Harvoni for 8 weeks.  My Dr. suggested Abbvie's Viekira Pak.  He said very high success rate for 1b's...12 weeks, no riba, more pill burden than the one pill Harvoni, but I'm tired of waiting, nor do I have the energy to battle the insurance company...I'm tired of waiting and waiting..  What do you think of this protocol?  Thanks and Happy New Year!

[aliveandblessed]

Hello.  I am currently one the Vikeria Pak and when my "viral load" was texted for via blood sample, while being just only 5 weeks into the treatment when the treatment is a 12 week process I did not even have a viral load number, rather my results were simply "negative".  I had tested negative for hepatitis c! I was in awe and so very grateful.  Good luck to you!

[ccibif]

I think this advancement is great...I wish eveyone the best and long healthy life....I had 2 bouts of treatment.  Interferon / Ribaviron for 11 months....then 3 years later round 2 with Pegyalated Interferon / Ribaviron for 12 months.  Been clear since 2004

[flyinlynn]

I think you may be talking about th ePrescribing information sheet that comes with every prescription of any med you receive. The one most of us just throw away.

Here is a link to the one for Viekira Pak

http://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/viekirapak_pi.pdf

[tammy526]

I started the Viekira Pak Feb. 3rd. I am like some of the others, I was first suppose to do Harvoni, being approved wasn't happening. I went with the Viekira Pak. It wasn't covered through my insurance but my dr went through an assistance program and it is 5 dollars a month. I went into this program blind couldn't find any info anywhere, I have a 16 page , I wouldn't call it a pamphlet more of a small magazine I could scan to an e mail if you haven't found any info yet. It is a scary experience as with any new drug, I do have a lot of support with  family and friends. May God bless everyone with health, happiness and love.

[AWorriedMom]

Diana, you would be taking the same number of milligrams of ribavirin. They are 200mg but you will be taking 5-6 per day as they are dosed by a person's weight. Under 165 pounds you get 1000mg, over 165 pounds you take 1200 milligrams.

[Diana3x]

I am genotype 1a and took two courses of treatment with Peg-interferon and ribavirin (12 mos. and 15 mos.)  I was negative, but relapsed -showing positive at the 3-month blood test both times.  The ribavirin was 1000 mg. a day, and I ended up taking a shot of procrit once a week to counteract my anemia.  My doc said the ribavirin with viekira pak is 200 mg.. so I would consider that a lot less harmful--hopefully.  I'm supposed to be starting Viekira shortly for 24 wks. if insurance pays.  The other big problems I had were eczema (especially around my eyes), nausea and insomnia.  Does anyone know if viekira produces those symptoms as greatly as interferon did?.  

[pat12]

Thanks so much for this information!  It's helped me a lot to know which direction to choose!  

[AWorriedMom]

Happy to help. Are you saying you can't take the Harvoni without Ribavirin, as well? Ribavirin is very inexpensive. You shouldn't have a problem getting it so I wouldn't  let that stop you if you prefer Harvoni. Either way, you are very likely to be hep C free in a few short months.

[GP7852]

Thank you so much for this info-it is invaluable to me and helps me make up my mind as to which direction I should go.I did have a choice but with the Harvoni I would still have to wait for the ribo.At least I know I will get the total package with Viekira Pak.You have been a great help.
                                Glen

[AWorriedMom]

Viekira Pak is the name for the drugs that were used in the Turquoise trial. There were over 300 of us in this trial, all cirrhotic, mostly Child's Class A and some Child's Class B.  And yes, it is true that ribavirin is used for many of the patients. In the trial, everyonje got ribavirin. BUT, what I know for sure, because I was in the trial and got to speak to many others in the trial, we did NOT have trouble with ribavirin. They found a few interesting things. One is that ribavirin, which is never used alone, needs interferon to be a hard drug to tolerate. For example,....in my case, when I did Pegylated interferon and ribavirin my hemoglobin dropped to 7.1. I was severely anemic and could not breathe, had a terrible dry cough, and was as weak as I could be. Many people had terrible issues with ribavirin. There were no drop outs due to side effects in the Turquoise trial. There was no interferon to make it difficult. The only thing that Harvoni has going for it, is it is one pill while Viekira Pak is dosed a few pills twice a day. Statistically there is no meaningful difference in the rate of success which to me is the most important thing. Also, Abbvie priced Viekira Pak a little lower and took the time to speak to all the insurance companies that they could and gave them the discounts they needed to be able to provide these drugs to people who need them without the hassle that one may have to endure to get a Gilead drug. Another interesting thing was that side effects were a bit more pronounced in treatment naive patients than in those of us who treated previously. But again, there were no dropouts due to  ribavirin side effects.

[GP7852]

Is turquoise 2 trial another name for Viekira Pak? If not could you tell me what other name the turquoise 2 trial goes by.
                        Thank You

[pat12]

You guys are awesome here!

[patra_]

Pat:  You go, girl!  Slay that Dragon!  We are here to cheer you on!  Pat

[pat12]

Thanks for everyone who commented....I'm choosing to treat today --- this sounds like an excellent option for me and I'll keep you guys posted!  Happy New Year!

[patra_]

Or IF you will have any sides!  Each med med seems to have less, and milder, sides than those previous.  Plus, each person's make up responds differently.  But it surely sounds like a great tx for Gt1s, espically 1bs.

GOOD LUCK, good treating, and On to SVR!  : -).

Pat

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

99% success rate is a no-brainer given all the factors. You sound strong enough to take the viekirapak. I'd call the doc and tell him -OKAY.... You'll take what you can get because you are tired of waiting and you need the virus gone now-no more waiting. viekirapak was tested in trials and is just now being made available to the public. It's probably too new to tell about the sides.

[Sarah1949]

It's kind of like the difference in Uggs and Bear Paws.

[flyinlynn]

I believe if have GT 1a you have to do Ribavirin regardless of cirrhosis and also GT 1b with cirrhosis. GT 1b without cirrhosis has no Ribavirin. AbbVie is not recommended in advanced cirrhosis if Child B or Child C.

http://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/viekirapak_pi.pdf

[Sarah1949]

If it was me, I'd want Harvoni but we often cannot get everything we want and the push right now is for the Viekera Pak because it costs less money. If you have cirrhosis you have to do Ribavirin along with the Viekera Pak and I don't ever want to have to do Ribavirin. Also, I've heard enough people talk about their experience with Harvoni and most are having a very easy time of it. Perhaps Viekera will turn out to be just as easy. Who knows. This is just my thinking.

[pat12]

Thank you!!  I'll check it out now!

[flyinlynn]

Hi Pat

Here is a link to clinical trial results from the Universiry of Washington

Check out page 5 for Genotype 1b looks to me like 99.0%

http://depts.washington.edu/hepstudy/presentations/uploads/133/pearl__3d__u.pdf

Good luck on treatment
Lynn

[pat12]

Thank you, thank you!!!  That's what I'm looking to hear!  I'm so happy for you and thank you for responding!  :)

[AWorriedMom]

I was genotype 1a, cirrhotic, had HCV since 1965, many time previous null-responder, with a viral load of 7 million. I did the Turquoise II trial and cleared in 4 weeks. This February I will be clear 2 years. I  am a huge fan of the Abbvie drugs. My vote is.....Go for it!

[pat12]

Hi Pooh, thanks for responding...When my Dr. suggested this as an alternative, I was somewhat bummed out because I had been waiting for Harvoni and all I knew about Abbvie was the pill burden was more.  But he told me it was 99% effective and to think about it.  That's when I started to do some research, but there's not much out there since its so new and was hoping that those who did the trials with this can comment and if they reached SVR12, how were the "real life" symptoms, etc.   I'm a lot more positive about it now and if I can get this, I'll be happy to give it a shot...Happy New Year!