Victrelis and Teleprevir ( Incivek )

[doncheery]

Victrelis and Teleprevir ( Incivek ) seem to be getting positive results beyond clinical trials. I am genotype 1 a and would like to hear from anyone who has had experience with these drugs. I will be biopsied witin the month to determine if I am treatment eligible. Not even sure if Incivek is cleared to go in Canada. I am swamped and find it difficult to do extensive reading so if this question is redundant and somebody could point me in the right direction it would be appreciated. Have a great day.

[mlkinmb]

I started on PegIntron and Rebetol last Tuesday. At week 4 I will add Victrelis to the mix for 24 weeks. How long treatment lasts depends on response, at least that's my understanding. Page 4 of this link http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/v/victrelis/victrelis_pi.pdf
has information. I have no clue how long I'll treat, I'm just hoping for the best. So far my sides have not been too bad, first shots were the worst, the second wasn't as bad. I can't wait to see what 2 and 4 week bloodwork reveals, fourth week will be a VL.
Take care, good luck, Mike

[beeblessed]

Hi Don.  I'll be doing guided response therapy with Victrelis, ribavirin and pegasysinterferon.  It is "guided", as they gage your response at certain weeks and if you are responding well or not, that determines the length of your treatment (I think 24 weeks vs. 48 weeks).  Here is a page I posted on someone else's question:

Have a look at this PDF:

http://www.uch.edu/pdf/Hepatology_triple_therapy.pdf

Keep in mind -- not everyone gets every side effect.  Every body's body and circumstances are different.  Best to you.

[lapis]

Thanks for backing me up, Will.  Yeah, I didn't remember that tx time may also be shortened with VIC.

[willbb]

Just to add to what lapis has said ...they have shown to be  fairly similar in study results to each other.(below)

And Vic  also can be taken for a shortened  term of 28 weeks ...again depending on results
Good luck on your biopsy result..
Will

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/ucm256328.htm


http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110401/Mercks-VICTRELIS-phase-III-study-results-against-HCV-presented-at-EASL-annual-meeting.aspx

[lapis]

Both Incivek and Vitrelis and used in combination with Interferon and Ribavirin.  Here's the difference:  Incivek is used for the first 12 weeks in addition to the two other drugs, then the Incivek dosing is complete and tx is continued with just Inf and Riba for the next 12-36 weeks, depending on how soon the virus has become UND.

Victrelis is initiated after a 4-week lead-in of just the Inf and Riba, and I believe Victrelis is taken for the remainder of the tx which is 48 weeks total.

I took INC in a clinical trial.  I was fortunate to have a RVR and completed tx in 24 wks, although I started with a fairly high viral load.  Tx was challenging but do-able.  I did work throughout, and I have a physically-demanding job.  I managed the side effects with the help of my tx team.

Hope this is useful, good luck as you move forward.
Lapis

[doncheery]

Thanks for getting back to me. Is one more effective than another and are they used in tandem with Interferon and Ribavarin or individually?  

[willbb]

Hi there... Victrelis has been approved in Canada by Health Canada..however I am not sure if it is actually avail.just yet  your doc should be able to help you with the exact time frame of availability

Incivek is not yet approved here ,however it is supposed to be imminent according to the Hepatologist I spoke with last week.

good luck with your biopsy
Will