Length of tx

[tjrusert]

I am excited to begin my tx on Aug 1st.  I really have high hopes for this to work this time.  I was told that I would be on tx for 48 weeks.  Is this unusual?  I thought that the tx time was only supposed to be 6 months with the new med.  I am not complaining I was just curious.  It will be worth it to me if I get results. Thanks everyone.

[lynda607]

Correction to previous post regarding manufacturer's prescribing recommendations for Victrelis.  

Treatment naives who are undetectable at week 8 and 24 continue with all three medicines and stop at week 28.  

Treatment naives who are detectable at week 8 but undetectable at week 24 continue all three medicines through week 36 and then pegylated interferon and ribavirin only through week 48.  

Previous partial responders and relapsers undetectable at week 8 and 24 continue all three medication at stop at week 36  

Previous partial responders and relapsers detectable at week 8 but undetectable at week 24 continue all three medications through week 36 and then pegylated interferon and ribavirin only through week 48.


Can be very confusing.....

[lynda607]

With Incivek, treatment duration for naives and relapsers with an *RVR* or undetected at week 4 and 12 is 24 weeks.  All others including cirrhotics, null and partial responders are advised to treat 48 weeks

With Victrelis, treatment duration for naives who are undetected at week 8 and 24 treat is 28 weeks.  Previous partial responders or relapsers undetected at week 8 and 24 treat for 36 weeks.  Previous partial responders or relapsers detected at week 8 but undetected at week 24 treat for 48 weeks.  Cirrhotics treat 48 weeks.

Both of course are RGT guidelines set forth by the manufacturer with specific IU/mL stop points.

http://pi.vrtx.com/files/uspi_telaprevir.pdf
http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/v/victrelis/victrelis_pi.pdf

[can-do-man]

Treatment-Naïve and Prior Relapse Patients
HCV-RNAa
Triple Therapy
INCIVEK,
peginterferon alfa and ribavirin
Dual Therapy
peginterferon alfa and ribavirin
Total
Treatment
Duration
Undetectable at Weeks 4 and 12 First 12 weeks Additional 12 weeks 24 weeks
Detectable (1000 IU/mL or less) at
Weeks 4 and/or 12
First 12 weeks Additional 36 weeks 48 weeks
Prior Partial and Null Responder Patients
Triple Therapy
INCIVEK,
peginterferon alfa and ribavirin
Dual Therapy
peginterferon alfa and ribavirin
Total
Treatment
Duration
All Patients First 12 weeks Additional 36 weeks 48 weeks
aIn clinical trials, HCV-RNA in plasma was measured using a COBAS® TaqMan® assay with a lower limit of quantification of 25 IU/mL and a limit of

[willbb]

Hi there...If you were  a partial responder or non-responder prevoiusly you would treat for 48 weeks,however if you were a relapser and were now UND at week 4 and 12 you would treat for only 24 weeks.    this is with Inciveck...If you are on victrelis ..it is different again.

Good luck
Will

[flcyclist]

This time?  How long ago did you trt and with what?  Did you get to und or go the full trt and relapse later?  You in a trial?  What else besides inf/riba?  You able to use rescue drugs if levels get low, or forced to dose reduce?    Sorry for all the questions, but will help others respond better.

[Trish77]

" I really have high hopes for this to work this time. "

That's the key for why the 48 weeks, most likely.  24 weeks of treatment with the new PI's is only for treatment naive and if you get an RVR.  If you've treated previously and it didn't work for you, then it's 48 weeks.