Day 1 of 168

[somuchmore2]

Harvoni

Geno 1A
IL28B
Age 60
3rd treament in past 18 years
170 lb
Diabetes 2
Stage 3/4 Cirrhosis
Major bleed back in 8 years ago

Okay
Feeling fine and no side effects but the day is early.

I will try to keep the posting updated during the next 24 weeks

Best Wishes to all as we fight the HEP C.

[somuchmore2]

Day 34 of 168

Doing fine and looking for to 8 weeks in doctor appointment.

Some stomach problems but manageable.  Perhaps less fatique but I still do not sleep well.  Lab back at 4 weeks showed normal ALT/AST, increased plalet count (best in a decade) and viral load of 20. Yes 20 not 20k.

Getting my refill EOY was interesting but it arrived yesterday so week 9, 10, 11 & 12 in my hand.

[somuchmore2]

Day 21 of 168

Three full weeks in......the fatique is beginning to seem significant.

Lynn,

How about you?  Are you have side effect?

[somuchmore2]

WRT Omeprazole

Required for me as I have gone through a varices bleed.

I am taking 20mg in PM and Harvoni AM.

Day 18 of 168.

[madelefant]

I'm on day 155 of 168, Sovaldi and Ribavirin. 3rd treatment attempt. Keeping fingers crossed.

[nan535]

Personally, I agree with your nurse. Avoiding it altogether sounds like the best idea.  Or at least add more hours between the two - 4 hours doesn't sound like sufficient time. Not worth the risk especially when both you and he have already relapsed.  

Nan

[flyinlynn]

Hi Nan

That is really strange th e4 hours befor eor after as the nurse in my doctors office suggested I try to avoid Omeprazole entirely and the recommendations on th eprescribing info sheet say simultaneously.

I think I will take my own advice and call support path but pretty sure if you take it 4 hours before that could reduce the soluability of the ledipasvir in the Harvoni. I have GERD a lot this last week so I need to figure something out.

Good luck to you and your husband nan!
Lynn

[nan535]

Re: omeprazole

My husband will be starting Harvoni sometime in December. He was told to take the omeprazole at least  4 hrs before or after the Harvoni.

Best wishes to all who are joining him in this fight. May you all reach SVR12 this go round.

Nan

[somuchmore2]

Thank you.

Day 12 or 168....up early and doing well.

Yes I am seeing Hepatologist.

[flyinlynn]

Hi

Per the Harvoni full prescribing information sheet page 5 table 3

http://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/harvoni/harvoni_pi.pdf

Proton-pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole) cause a decrease in the Ledipasvir component of Harvoni the clinical comment is:

Proton-pump inhibitor doses comparable to omeprazole 20 mg or lower can be administered simultaneously with HARVONI under fasted conditions.

It appears the recommendation if you must take Omeprazole is simultaneously on an empty stomach.

For H2-receptor antagonists (e.g., famotidine) the recommendation is:

H2-receptor antagonists may be administered simultaneously with or 12 hours apart from HARVONI at a dose that does not exceed doses comparable to famotidine 40 mg twice daily.

Apparently the solubility of Ledipasvir is greatly reduced if stomach acid levels are not sufficiently acidic.

In regards to Zolpidem it is not specifically listed on the prescribing information sheet.

However Ambien (zolpidem) can have adverse effects on the liver depending on the health of your liver currently for example if you have advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/262201-ambien-liver-problems/

Liver Function
The liver, the largest internal organ, produces vital substances such as albumin and bile, stores substances such as sugar and vitamins, and filters harmful substances from the blood. Everything ingested into the body, including foods and medications, enters the bloodstream through the digestive tract and travels to the liver. Most medications metabolize, or break down, in the liver and some such as Ambien may break down into substances that can damage liver cells.

I hope you are seeing a hepatologist as they can best advise you about Ambien and it's effects on your liver.

Also for more information Gilead has My Support path they have a 24/7 nurse line that can give you the official information about drug interactions.

Call HARVONI Support Path at 1-855-7-MYPATH (1-855-769-7284).

https://www.harvoni.com/support

Good luck on treatment
Lynn

[somuchmore2]

Thank you.

It does make sense to me so I'll will just take 20mg at 7 PM and Harvoni at 6 AM.

Is anyone else taking Zolpidem (aka Geniac Ambein) for insomia?

[Sarah1949]

With regard to the Omeprazole, I was taking 20 mg twice a day when I read on another forum that the Omeprazole interferes with Sovaldi and Olysio in that they need the acid to work best. I asked my doctor about this and he said it's true the drugs do need the acid and advised me to only take 20 mg once a day and to take it 12 hours before the S/O. Not sure if this relates to Harvoni though.

[somuchmore2]

Day 11 of 168.

Stomach issues but we did do some Thanksgiving feeding this past weekend.

I assume most all of us are on Omeprazole.
What has your doctors said about that medicine dosage and when to take (with or without Harvoni?

Also, what are folks doing about insomina? Is Zolpidem 5mg okay while on Harvoni?

[flyinlynn]

Tally Ho!

Charge!

Bugle call da,da,da,dah,da,da,da,da,dahhhhhhh

[patra_]

Ditto what Tanya said.  So praying that this is your cure.

Excited that Harvoni is now available and so many people are staretin on it!

Everyone:  On to SVR!!     Pat

[tanya24]

Lynn and Somuchmore, Glad to hear you're both feeling ok! Sending best wishes and prayers your way for a symptom free week! Keep us posted.

Tanya

[somuchmore2]

Day 7 of 168.

Wow 1 of 24 weeks done and week 2 begins tomorrow with 7:00 AM Harvoni.

I did have some upset BM yesterday but could just be diet.  I hope am not gaining weight as my appetite is still strong or perhaps stronger.

[hepcandme]

Good news all around! Keep us posted

[Livelife777]

I'm honestly envious of this new pill Harvoni.  
From what I've read, this Tx sounds outstanding.
Somuchmore and Lynn, I will be watching your response faithfully .
Best wishes for a safe and uneventful journey.
Your new lives are about to begin and what a pleasant ride.
....Kim

[Mmorgan856]

hi Lynn, so excited an happy for u to get moving on this new treatment, an closer to CURE.  I truly hope everything goes smooth for you, will be checking in to see how everyone is doing.  I certainly can't offer advice on much of anything, just know I'm rooting for everyone here, an sending good wishes your way.  I'm truly inspired by the Warrior Spirit of practically everyone here.  Go kick some hep-C butt.  Take care.  Mary

[flyinlynn]

Four days behind you.

Day 2 for me just having some rosy cheeks from face flushing. We have had a weather change to colder the last few days so it could be that as well. Other than that nothing to report.

Lynn

[pennylanem]

Keep posting! I'm about to start, possibly Friday. We'll see how it goes.

[tanya24]

Congratulations and glad you are adjusting well to medicine. Thanks for tip on drinking more water to avoid headaches. I will be starting Harvoni on Dec. 1st.

[somuchmore2]

Day 5 of 168 and I am feeling pretty well and adjusted to the pill.

[48weeks]

Great, I'm hoping to start next month and I will do the same, thanks.