Sofosbuvir/Ribavirin Side Effects

[klonny55]

I am waiting for the SOF/RIBA combo therapy to be available and have not been able to find much info on the side effects experienced by those who have done the 12 week treatment. Most of what I find about RIBA sides has to do with it in combination with peginterferon. Anyone out there who has done this combo in trials who could share their experience?

Thanks!

[hoping4cure]

When I was on the triple therapy two years ago and had really bad itching my gastro doc sent me to a dermatologist who prescribed Kenalog spray which knocked it right out. I took it as needed because it's real potent stuff. It's an aerosol spray so you want to cover you face and don't breath it in when spraying it on.

I took a .5 half a pill of lorazapam to help with the anxiety also on an as needed basis. In my opinion the anxiety made the itching worse. The gastro doc tried all that your doc has done and it never touched the itching. Staying away from things you are allergic to and drinking lots of water might help especially if you are having the runs.

http://www.drugs.com/pro/kenalog-spray.html

[recon_marine68_73]

Yes! I am undetected as of the last blood work.....thats what the doctor said, but, he also said I have to remain on this  medication for at least 12-16 weeks.  I am replying to you at this moment because the severity of the rashes has kept me up "all night" and even my lower lip is extremely swollen from this treatment. I'm not sure but if I remember correctly, if the side effects reach the face I am suppose to see my doctor right away.....Don't remember....to be honest!! Oh! I also have some kind of mild diahhrea, and insomnia, but they are NOT bad. The rashes are the ones that are driving me crazy, the come out....every night!!  And they don't go away unless I take (on my own doctoring" a heavy amount of a antihistomin (not spelled right...sorry!) Some like Benadril, or any other type of "allergy drug" which so far it's been working after a few houirs of waiting, but, last night I ran out of the Benadryl nd I am really paying for it....it even has my lower lip extremely swollen!! I don't know if should contact the VA Hospital, or, NOT!!  I really would likle to try and stick it out for I've been on "Interferon...twice, even back in 1995 when it was "experimental") then again in approx. 2006 it went away but now its come back! Let me know if you have any opinions....thank you!!  

[recon_marine68_73]

Hi! I am a genotype 2. I've been on the sofosbuvir/ribavarin for for 6 weeks now. No cirrhosis!....just Hep-C from Vietnam. I am having severe side effects, including severe rashes which have gone to even my lip! I get the rash almost every day and its driving me crazy!! I also have insomnia and irritability quite often. The VA Hospital in Tampa Florida speaks very highly of this medication, every if you are a Geno-Type-2....like me, But, let me tell you , at least for me, the side effects are quite severe!!  Every night the rashes come out and keeps me up all night scratching my head of. The cream the doctor gave me doesn't do anything for this rashes do drive me crazy. I'm trying to hang on but Don't think this is a walk in the park Medication. If you need any other answers contact me.

[susan400]

First off, thanks for your service to our country.  With that being said, I would not trust a psychiatrist's opinion on Hep C because that is not his field of specialty. He is trained to treat psychiatric illness and just basic medical doctor issues.  A gastroenterologist or hepatologist would be far more knowledgeable about hepatitis and the diseases of the liver.  Once the virus goes undetected (from the correct Hep C treatment), and it stays that way for rechecks at like 6 mon, 1 year, etc., then you are considered to be cured of Hepatitis C.  With these new drugs, that is becoming more and more possible for many people.  We aren't there yet with 100% cure 100% of the time but with each new advance in the new discoveries of treatments and research, it gets closer all the time.  Susan400

[nan535]

I don't know if your psychiatrist is right or wrong, but I think his opinion is based on prior experience with the old drugs. It's a whole new world now with these new drugs and only time will tell if indeed it is a true cure.

In the meantime, this new treatment is allowing your liver to begin healing itself as best it can depending on your degree of liver damage. Are you "undetetected" for the virus? If so, then the virus is no longer attacking your liver causing damage.

I wish you the best of luck going forward and SVR in the near future.

Nan

[recon_marine68_73]

I am currently on Sofosbuvir and ribavirin for my Hep-C which I believe I got in Vietnam.....long time ago!!  I am having "a lot of rash (itching)" every day!! To me, that's the only side effect so far.....I'm on my 7th week. From the VA Hospital in Tampa, Florida, my doctorsss are confident I will finally get rid of my Hep-C, BUT,  I've had the "Interferon injections twice" got rid of the Hep-C and it always has come back later. My, "Psychiatrist" from the VA Clinic told me in "his opinion"...once you have the virus....you will always have the virus in your body system....forever!!  It will go "dormant" for a while, but, later on it comes back.....that's "His Opinion!" I am having severe rashes with a lot of itching on a regular basis and a little bit of insomnia, but, that's it.....so far!!