Sofosbuvir/Sovaldi Approved

[Willy50]

Sofosbuvir/Sovaldi just approved by the FDA shortly after Stock market close Friday

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-food-drug-administration-approves-211900093.html


U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves Gilead’s Sovaldi™ (Sofosbuvir) for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

– Sovaldi Approved for Use in Genotypes 1, 2, 3 or 4 –

– High Cure Rates (SVR12) and Shortened, 12-Week Course of Therapy for Many Patients –

– First Ever Oral Treatment Regimen for Genotypes 2 or 3 –

– First Regimen for Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation to Prevent HCV Recurrence –

[nan535]

My husband who is post transplant  is starting treatment as soon as his red blood cell count improves. He is interferon ineligible so they are putting him on Sovaldi and Ribavirin for 24 weeks.  He went through hell on triple treatment when he developed ESLD pre-transplant and had to stop treatment at 5 weeks.  
I may be wrong but I believe the preferred treatment for your genotype 1 as you await transplant is Solvaldi plus Ribavirin for 48 weeks or until transplant whichever comes first.

I did not know interferon comes in pill form.  Based on his prior experience, I know there is no way my husband would do this treatment  if interferon were involved.

Good luck
Nan

[heart_in_the_keyes]

Hi...am approved for sofosbuvir/sovaldi......start in a couple of weeks...geno type 1...am non responder on several interferon/peg and riba trials...also was ok'd for triple and then Gilead and then taken off prior to first pill due to decompensation of liver and the ESLD stage I am at.  I am on transplant list with MELD of 12, ESLD Stage 4 moderate level.  They are trying to rid HCV prior to tp.  Cautious about the interferon which always made me sick previously but doc believes I can tolerate in pill form.  Will see.  Wish me luck.... Only warriors win the battle.  Will still have to have the transplant due to the decompensation but rather not deal with the HCV after a liver transplant. For all of those out there who are not cirrhotic....thank god and good luck to you ridding yourself of HCV.

[hepc4Sandi]

This is all good news tho, I am genotype 4, just found out I have it 4 months ago, but have had it since the 1970s probably. Starting the 3 meds this Friday, have no idea what my liver status is, tho blood panel is good and viral load is relatively low (192,000). Hoping I will dodge the cirrosis and cancer bullet. Does the liver recover after the solvaldi treatment? Can it repair itself up to a certain point?

[3xlucky]

As far as I know I do not have cirrous yet. But my doctor
Did say that with the scarring on my liver it was getting there and I should do the trial. I had only just completed six months before and with two Gilead drugs and interferon plus RIBA was not looking forward to another round. This treatment was not As bad. No sides from sofusbuvir and the usual from interferon and RIBA. But hearing I was Undected at 4 weeks (maybe 3) not sure as was only tested at 2 then 4 and knowing it was only 12 weeks made it more bearable. I would imagine the results will be posted soon as most of us should be coming up on six months post treatment early next year.

[nan535]

I know exactly where you are as my husband was there when he found out he had Hep C in Dec. 2010. One difference is he had esophageal varices.
He tried the triple treatment with Incivik  when it came out. I can only describe it as brutal for him. He became so anemic he needed blood transfusions and he almost went into kidney failure. So he stopped it at 5 weeks.  We're not sorry he did it though because he remained undetected for the virus  for 8 months until he got his transplant.  Then sadly  the virus showed itself again.

His doctor is planning to put him on Sovaldi plus Ribavirin for 24 weeks (no inteferon) in January. God willing it will be successful  Perhaps this is an option for you.

So I agree with your doctor based on my husband's  experience.  Interferon is risky for you.

Nan

[pooh55811]

Can-do-man posted this thread:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/US-Patient-Assistance-Program-/show/2058689

It tells you about the financial assistance that Giliad is making available. Might be worth the read for some people.