Aa
Rash with Peg/Riba/Victrelis
Woke up this morning with a rash on my stomach, neck, and thighs. It's itchy but not unbearable. I contacted my liver dr. but she says that she's not familiar with a rash being associated with those meds. Anyone have any experience with a rash on this particular treatment?
Hydroxyzine may cause drowsiness, but it does not make everyone drowsy. I do not get drowsy from it.
I know it works for some people, but Benadryl did absolutely nothing for me. I think part of that has to do with the severity of the rash. It is not one or two bumps. It is generalized. It is a systemic reaction. After my docs bungled the treatment for my rash, leaving me in misery for months with no treatment or inadequate treatment, as the rash spiraled out of control, I am pretty convinced that the generalized rashes need to be dealt with urgently and effectively and aggressively with oral (systemic) prescriptions.
I agree that a prescription for topical steroid ointment or soln.. helps, especially with itching when the rash is bad, but it will only clear the rash where you put it and it takes forever to do so (3 weeks to make a dent for me). Then the rash just moves over to some place where you did not put any steroid ointment or soln.
I know it works for some people, but Benadryl did absolutely nothing for me. I think part of that has to do with the severity of the rash. It is not one or two bumps. It is generalized. It is a systemic reaction. After my docs bungled the treatment for my rash, leaving me in misery for months with no treatment or inadequate treatment, as the rash spiraled out of control, I am pretty convinced that the generalized rashes need to be dealt with urgently and effectively and aggressively with oral (systemic) prescriptions.
I agree that a prescription for topical steroid ointment or soln.. helps, especially with itching when the rash is bad, but it will only clear the rash where you put it and it takes forever to do so (3 weeks to make a dent for me). Then the rash just moves over to some place where you did not put any steroid ointment or soln.
Oops sorry I wrote Teleprevir in the second one rather then Boceprevir.
Still, I am a little concerned that your doctor is not familiar with the rash being a side effect. It is just difficult to miss when you read about the side effects of the medication.
On the other hand I am not trying to freak you out since a lot of people on here have had to educate their doctors and self-treat given the increase of people treating the virus.
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Stomach, neck & thighs does not exactly sound localized. It is a good thing it does not itch now but I would start taking an oral antihistamine:
-> Benedryl is good though it does cause drowsiness. Ditto with Hydroxizine. The only Nondrowsy one I have taken is generic Allegra and it worked OK.
->I personally would treat with a prescription topical corticosteroid and nip it in the bud but that might be too aggressive.
Still, you do not want this to snowball. Take care and keep us posted!
Still, I am a little concerned that your doctor is not familiar with the rash being a side effect. It is just difficult to miss when you read about the side effects of the medication.
On the other hand I am not trying to freak you out since a lot of people on here have had to educate their doctors and self-treat given the increase of people treating the virus.
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Stomach, neck & thighs does not exactly sound localized. It is a good thing it does not itch now but I would start taking an oral antihistamine:
-> Benedryl is good though it does cause drowsiness. Ditto with Hydroxizine. The only Nondrowsy one I have taken is generic Allegra and it worked OK.
->I personally would treat with a prescription topical corticosteroid and nip it in the bud but that might be too aggressive.
Still, you do not want this to snowball. Take care and keep us posted!
I agree with NYGirl. The liver doc should know that Interferon/Riba can cause a rash. I have it, LOL, as do many, many others on the forum. If the doc does not know this side effect, you need a new liver doctor. (I wonder what else she does not know ... scary.)
It will probably take awhile to get an appt. with a new liver doc. In the meantime, either see a Dermatologist (preferably) on an urgent basis or your primary care physician and get on top of this rash immediately. A Derm doc should be able to squeeze you in right away if you tell them you are on these Hep C meds and are having a reaction to one of them. If you cannot see a derm doc then go to your PCP and ask him/her to order you some prescription Hydroxyzine oral tabs (25-50 mg every 6 hours as needed) and some prescription topical steroids (Clobetesol or Fluocinonide ointment). For me the most important medication was/is the Hydroxyzine. It will clear the rash and stop the itching and stop the systemic effects of the allergic reaction. You have to take a high enough dose, though, or it won't clear as well. I take 50 mg at 6, 12, 6, 10 or close to those hours. I would be nuts without it.
I think most of us on the forum have found that we need to get on top of these types of side effects immediately and clobber them with everything in the arsenal. They snowball rapidly out of control. Besides, you already have a rash on your thighs and trunk as well as your neck. It will probably get worse and spread all over the place if you do not treat it ASAP.
If I were you, I would not settle for Benadryl, Zyrtec or Claritin, or over the counter hydrocortizone cream. They are not strong enough. They did absolutely nothing for me. I may as well have been taking sugar pills.
I surely hope you can get some relief from this soon.
It will probably take awhile to get an appt. with a new liver doc. In the meantime, either see a Dermatologist (preferably) on an urgent basis or your primary care physician and get on top of this rash immediately. A Derm doc should be able to squeeze you in right away if you tell them you are on these Hep C meds and are having a reaction to one of them. If you cannot see a derm doc then go to your PCP and ask him/her to order you some prescription Hydroxyzine oral tabs (25-50 mg every 6 hours as needed) and some prescription topical steroids (Clobetesol or Fluocinonide ointment). For me the most important medication was/is the Hydroxyzine. It will clear the rash and stop the itching and stop the systemic effects of the allergic reaction. You have to take a high enough dose, though, or it won't clear as well. I take 50 mg at 6, 12, 6, 10 or close to those hours. I would be nuts without it.
I think most of us on the forum have found that we need to get on top of these types of side effects immediately and clobber them with everything in the arsenal. They snowball rapidly out of control. Besides, you already have a rash on your thighs and trunk as well as your neck. It will probably get worse and spread all over the place if you do not treat it ASAP.
If I were you, I would not settle for Benadryl, Zyrtec or Claritin, or over the counter hydrocortizone cream. They are not strong enough. They did absolutely nothing for me. I may as well have been taking sugar pills.
I surely hope you can get some relief from this soon.
I second what nygirl says.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3264896/
Rash Management Plan: Telaprevir
Mild rash: Localized rash and/or a rash with limited distribution, with or without pruritus
Moderate rash: Diffuse rash, with or without superficial skin peeling, or mucous membrane involvement, with no ulceration
Severe rash: Generalized rash with or without pruritus OR rash with vesicles, bullae, or ulcerations
Serious skin reactions: Stevens‑Johnson syndrome (SJS) OR drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
Rash Description & Management
Mild to moderate rashes
– Continue all drugs
– Monitor for rash progression or development of
systemic symptoms
– TVR dose should not be reduced or interrupted
– Oral antihistamines and/or topical corticosteroids
· Systemic corticosteroids are not recommended
– Good skin care practices*
Severe rash
– Discontinue TVR
– Continue PEG‑IFN/RBV
– If no improvement within 7 days (or earlier if
indicated), consider D/C of PEG‑IFN and/or RBV
– Good skin care practices*
– Oral antihistamines and/or topical corticosteroids
· Systemic corticosteroids are not recommended
– TVR dose should not be reduced or interrupted
– Consider dermatology consult
Serious skin reactions
(SJS or DRESS)
– Discontine all medications immediately
– Refer for urgent medical care
*Good skin care practices: limit sun exposure, wear loose‑fitting clothing, use oatmeal or baking soda baths, apply moisturizers at least twice daily after bathing, laundry with mild, unscented detergent.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3264896/
Rash Management Plan: Telaprevir
Mild rash: Localized rash and/or a rash with limited distribution, with or without pruritus
Moderate rash: Diffuse rash, with or without superficial skin peeling, or mucous membrane involvement, with no ulceration
Severe rash: Generalized rash with or without pruritus OR rash with vesicles, bullae, or ulcerations
Serious skin reactions: Stevens‑Johnson syndrome (SJS) OR drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
Rash Description & Management
Mild to moderate rashes
– Continue all drugs
– Monitor for rash progression or development of
systemic symptoms
– TVR dose should not be reduced or interrupted
– Oral antihistamines and/or topical corticosteroids
· Systemic corticosteroids are not recommended
– Good skin care practices*
Severe rash
– Discontinue TVR
– Continue PEG‑IFN/RBV
– If no improvement within 7 days (or earlier if
indicated), consider D/C of PEG‑IFN and/or RBV
– Good skin care practices*
– Oral antihistamines and/or topical corticosteroids
· Systemic corticosteroids are not recommended
– TVR dose should not be reduced or interrupted
– Consider dermatology consult
Serious skin reactions
(SJS or DRESS)
– Discontine all medications immediately
– Refer for urgent medical care
*Good skin care practices: limit sun exposure, wear loose‑fitting clothing, use oatmeal or baking soda baths, apply moisturizers at least twice daily after bathing, laundry with mild, unscented detergent.
Side Effects of Victrelis - for the Consumer
Victrelis
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Victrelis:
Change in taste; decreased appetite; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; dry skin; hair loss; headache; irritability; joint pain; nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Victrelis:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dark, tarry, or bloody stools; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; feeling cold, especially in the hands or feet; fever, chills, or sore throat; pale skin; severe or persistent dizziness; shortness of breath; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness.
Victrelis
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Victrelis:
Change in taste; decreased appetite; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; dry skin; hair loss; headache; irritability; joint pain; nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Victrelis:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dark, tarry, or bloody stools; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; feeling cold, especially in the hands or feet; fever, chills, or sore throat; pale skin; severe or persistent dizziness; shortness of breath; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness.
Get a new doctor, even if you were just on peg you could still get the ribarash that is caused actually by interferon (but it doesnt sound as cool). That a doctor wouldn't know this is scary!!!!!!!
I think there are probably 500 threads on this if you put it into the search feature they will all pop up. There is even one on the top of this forum right now.
I think there are probably 500 threads on this if you put it into the search feature they will all pop up. There is even one on the top of this forum right now.
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