Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

reduced dosages

Just came from the dr. and he wants to reduce my riba and peg intron.  Just wondering if anyone else has been through this and other peoples opinion on this.  I have six more weeks of treatment and he stated my neutrophils were 530.
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I reached <43 at my twelve week test, and my 8 week test was 403 so i really feel it was shortly after my 8 week test.  I currently take 0.4 ml of 120 mcg of PegIntron and 1000 mg of riba.  He wants to reduce my pegintron to 0.35 ml and riba to 800 mg. The riba due to weight loss of 20 pounds and my hgb was 9.5.  I am a genotype 3a, starting VL 75,000, only down to 25,000 and week 4, then 403 at week 8 and negative at twelve.  I have 6 more weeks of treatment and also my AST and ALT has always been running high.  Any thoughts???  I am going to ask on Tuesday appt. to extend my treatment to 24 weeks past my <43, not just the standard 24 weeks for 3a.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If the issue is only the white blood cells then reducing Riba will not help. They usually reduce the interferon to help recover white blood cells. I would be more concerned with reducing interferon then ribavirin at this point.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Agree totally with banarep.  At this point a riba dose reduction is not going to hurt you.  The riba serum level in your blood should be very good by now.  I know ribivirin contributes to low ANC but the main culprit is the interferon and when docs start talking dose reduction of interferon I get a little skittish.  You've got six week and if you start Neupogen today you would probably see your ANC rise by Thursday or Friday.  It's very fast acting for most. An ANC of 530 is low but not critical, however, doctors have their comfort zones and mine freaked out when I hit around 600 I think so I can understand why he wants to reduce the interferon but I don't get the ribavirin reduction.  Keep in mind, ANC goes up and down so it may rebound by next week.

I'm speaking for myself here but my doc told me to reduce twice and I didn't do it because I felt it wasn't merited.  

Good Luck
Trinity
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there,

When did you reach undetected?

Although I suffered from an obsession to never dose-reduce during my treatment, several people here dose-reduced and succeeded.

How much does your doc want you to reduce and what is your current hemoglobin level?

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would say that at this point in your treatment, riba dose reduction should not be a problem.  how much are they reducing it?

here is a link:  http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2007/HJR-4.3.html#1

as long as you receive 60% of the riba you should be okay.
Helpful - 0
87972 tn?1322661239
Riba reduction shouldn’t affect white cells; are you anemic as well? Neutrofils at 530 aren’t dangerous, but he’s probably trying to look forward and prevent trouble down the road.

It might be pointless to intervene with Neupogen right now; has this been discussed? Neupogen can increase neutrofils without IFN dose reduction; but I’m unsure how critical full dose IFN is at this late juncture of therapy.

Others better informed in this will hopefully respond. Good luck,

Bill
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yeah, it's issues like this that come to my immediate attention so to speak.  Why is the dose reduction occuring?  You may also stand the chance of relapse occuring with a Riba reduction.  
Helpful - 0
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.