Incivek twice a day dosing & fat requirement

[Setzy]

Hi everyone,

Long-time lurker since I was diagnosed earlier this year with acute HCV - I've been so very lucky to have been diagnosed so quickly and started treatment quickly. I've been put on Incivek / Pegasys / Riba triple therapy, just started yesterday. It's been going okay. The first Pegasys shot went better than I thought, until during my sleep - severe chills and a low fever happened. Other than that, I'm surprised that I'm feeling as fine as I am right now. I guess we will see in a few weeks. Fingers crossed.

Anyway, I actually am posting to ask a silly question that I forgot to ask my nurse. The incivek dosing has changed now to 2 times a day, 3 pills each time. So now I'm doing them together with the riba after breakfast or supper, eating >20g of fat each of those meals. Then it just hit me - Do I need to keep eating a high fat lunch as well to keep the absorption of incivek efficient or not? (My guess is no, but I don't wanna take risks as I would really love that SVR so I'd do anything to get it!)

I'd call the "24/7" Incivek support line but they are closed on weekends...guess not so 24/7 huh :(

Thanks to anyone who can answer this question!

And to those also on the triple therapy now, good luck to all of us! Thanks :)

[Dee1956]

Hi there, I agree with Hrsepwr, he always had great answers.  I wanted to say that I wish you well, please keep in touch and ask any questions you may have.
No question is silly if you don't know the answer.
I think it was a good question.  Glad they are now dosing twice a day, all that fat was hard to take 3 times a day :)
Take Care, Dee

[Setzy]

Thanks for the clarification!

[hrsepwrguy]

You only need the high fat meal 30 min before taking incivek


Effects of Food on Oral Absorption

The systemic exposure (AUC) to telaprevir was increased by 237% when telaprevir was administered with a standard fat meal (containing 533 kcal and 21 g fat) compared to when telaprevir was administered under fasting conditions. In addition, the type of meal significantly affects exposure to telaprevir. Relative to fasting, when telaprevir was administered with a low-fat meal (249 kcal, 3.6 g fat) and a high-fat meal (928 kcal, 56 g fat), the systemic exposure (AUC) to telaprevir was increased by approximately 117% and 330%, respectively. Doses of Incivek were administered within 30 minutes of completing a meal or snack containing approximately 20 grams of fat in the Phase 3 trials. Therefore, Incivek should always be taken with food (not low fat)

How should I take Incivek?

Eat a meal or snack that contains about 20 grams of fat, within 30 minutes before you take each dose of Incivek. Talk to your healthcare provider about examples of foods that you can eat that contain about 20 grams of fat. Always take Incivek with food.

http://www.drugs.com/pro/incivek.html

Have a great day