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163305 tn?1333668571

new meds post transplant ?

Does anyone have information for those of us with hep C who've had liver transplants?

I'm on a minimum dose of immune suppression meds.
The idea of being free of hep C is overwhelmingly appealing, to put it mildly.
( Though I do dread the idea of doing tx again)
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163305 tn?1333668571
Thanks guys for your great information.
I'm getting my annual biopsy this Friday so these thoughts are surfacing.
My main ploy for liver protection has been guzzling coffee,eating dark chocolate and staying happy.

Mike: Hmmm, I didn't know about the increased levels, maybe I should get off prograf first~ it's a goal of mine, with my doc's reluctant cooperation, of course.
My last trough level was 2.3 and no rejection in sight.

Hector: How do you stay so clear headed? I'm impressed !
If you remember, please let me know how those people do with their treatment.

Thanks again.
Helpful - 0
446474 tn?1446347682
All the info I have is second hand. I know one person who is about 1 1/2 years post transplant who is on the new meds and I know another friend who is about to start treatment very soon. They are both being treated by my doctor who leads the hepatitis and transplant program at the UCSF transplant center.

I imagine it will take at least a year (when the results data can be reviewed) to see how effective the new meds are in comparison to past experiences with SOC.

Here is a link to SOC treatment in transplant patients written in 2006....
http://sadieo.ucsf.edu/course/old/HCV-LT.pdf

Do you have any questions in particular?

Hector
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
From our liver transplant expert forum
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Liver-Transplant/show/274

by Thomas D Schiano, MDBlank, Jul 28, 2011 06:44AM
despite the high viral load the liver biopsy findings are the most important thing in considering the necessity of anhtiviral treatment.  our program is not using the new medications for fear of precipitating rejection and/or renal failure.  These idrug nteractions are of major concern

by Thomas D Schiano, MDBlank, Jul 17, 2011 12:35PM
currently there is no data on its use in the post-liver transplant setting.  i would be extremely cautious about using it until more data is available especially since its purported effects on tacrolimus and cyclosporine metabolism are extreme.  i am quite confident that there will be clinical trials coming down the road extremely soon.

by Thomas D Schiano, MDBlank, Jul 20, 2011 07:54AM
the new medications may affect the dose of prograf dramatically, possibly up to 70%.  this might make it difficult to control the levels and predispose the person to rejection or renal failure.  there are very early studies looking at this.  our center is not starting patients on therapy except if someone has a fulminant course of recurrence until more data are available.  i am sure that other centers however will embrace the new meds and will be actively treating patients with them.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The CIs - cyclosporine and tacrolimus levels are increased significantly by the PIs - as much as 70% increased levels - I believe.
I do not know of any transplant centers who have begun treatment with Invcivek or Victrelis in their liver transplant population.

It appears as though we're going to have to wait until they've figured out the dosages.

Mike
Helpful - 0
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