Aa
new to tx.
am on riba and sovaldi 12 wks. start tomarrow. does drinking beer cause worse sides?
I just want to say that I don't believe anyone who posted here had any intention of shaming you. I am a caregiver of someone who has had Hep C since 1979 but only found out after he developed Stage 4 Cirrhosis. Naturally my response and I'm sure some of the others who posted are influenced by our own experiences.
That said, I see from your profile you do not have cirrhosis. That is great.
It is a wonderful thing that you have this opportunity to clear the virus before anymore damage is done to your liver.
May you achieve SVR soon.
Nan
That said, I see from your profile you do not have cirrhosis. That is great.
It is a wonderful thing that you have this opportunity to clear the virus before anymore damage is done to your liver.
May you achieve SVR soon.
Nan
I apologize for my statement. I couldn't find a modify or edit option, I realized my tone after I posted it, maybe it was the Riba talking. I wish him nothing but the best.
Hey guys -
Please watch the judgmental responses. You can offer opinions, but avoid terms that are not helpful. You can express your opinion without degrading okieson, who asked what is actually a pretty common question here. It is possible to have a personal opinion without sharing it, or to share it without shaming another member.
We also have no way of determining who is an alcoholic, or who is simply a new member asking a simple question about having a drink occasionally while on treatment.
Thanks,
Emily
Please watch the judgmental responses. You can offer opinions, but avoid terms that are not helpful. You can express your opinion without degrading okieson, who asked what is actually a pretty common question here. It is possible to have a personal opinion without sharing it, or to share it without shaming another member.
We also have no way of determining who is an alcoholic, or who is simply a new member asking a simple question about having a drink occasionally while on treatment.
Thanks,
Emily
That being said, I hope that you can see the support you can have here, and I wish you a full recovery. Please take care of yourself.
you crack me up LOL !!! 'like adding miracle grow to a tomato plant'' - hope you are doing well....
It seems that the later study of 2010 confirms the conclusions of the 2006 information.
That said, I guess it comes down to a personal decision as to whether its worth the risk. Drinking alcohol and its effect on the drinker may impact one's ability to adhere to proper treatment, which would impact on SVR rates.
I think we are all on the same page here that the most important thing is to get to SVR. I personally would not risk that end for a couple of beers.
As for whether it worsens side effects, I would think it depends on the amount
of alcohol one drinks.
My best wishes for an easy and successful treatment, Okieson.
Nan
That said, I guess it comes down to a personal decision as to whether its worth the risk. Drinking alcohol and its effect on the drinker may impact one's ability to adhere to proper treatment, which would impact on SVR rates.
I think we are all on the same page here that the most important thing is to get to SVR. I personally would not risk that end for a couple of beers.
As for whether it worsens side effects, I would think it depends on the amount
of alcohol one drinks.
My best wishes for an easy and successful treatment, Okieson.
Nan
Getting back on topic here with the OP's original question and sticking to the facts concerning that question:
"does drinking beer cause worse sides? "
-----------------------------------------
Ribavirin can cause dryness (mouth, nose, skin) and beer (depending on how much one drinks) may intensify the dryness.
The main thing in order to attain a cure (SVR) is to closely adhere to the drug regimen.
I agree with Can-do and hrsepwrguy that the studies show that alcohol does not significantly affect SVR rates.
"does drinking beer cause worse sides? "
-----------------------------------------
Ribavirin can cause dryness (mouth, nose, skin) and beer (depending on how much one drinks) may intensify the dryness.
The main thing in order to attain a cure (SVR) is to closely adhere to the drug regimen.
I agree with Can-do and hrsepwrguy that the studies show that alcohol does not significantly affect SVR rates.
Drug Alcohol Depend. 2010 Jul 1;110(1-2):167-71. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.02.016. Epub 2010 Mar 23.
Treatment outcome in relation to alcohol consumption during hepatitis C therapy: an analysis of the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Adherence to hepatitis C treatment is influenced by alcohol as is the action of interferon; yet the clinical significance of the latter remains unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of ongoing alcohol intake on sustained viral response (SVR) rates in adherent patients receiving hepatitis C treatment.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis of patients treated with antiviral therapy for hepatitis C infection who were enrolled in the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study was completed. Patients were eligible for the study if they had their HCV RNA tested 6 months following treatment completion and at least one cohort follow-up visit during HCV therapy, documenting the consumed amount of alcohol. They were assigned to three groups according to the amount of alcohol consumption: group A without alcohol consumption, group B 24 g/d alcohol.
RESULTS:
554 patients were included. Patients with at least 80% of the scheduled cumulative dose and duration did not significantly differ between the three groups. SVR rates according to alcohol consumption were 60% for non-drinkers (group A), 57% in group B and 50% in group C. No significant negative influence from alcohol consumption during therapy was observed in the multiple regression analysis for treatment success.
CONCLUSION:
In this evaluation, we demonstrated comparable SVR rates in non-drinkers and in patients with daily amounts of alcohol intake up to 24 g during hepatitis C therapy.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Treatment outcome in relation to alcohol consumption during hepatitis C therapy: an analysis of the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Adherence to hepatitis C treatment is influenced by alcohol as is the action of interferon; yet the clinical significance of the latter remains unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of ongoing alcohol intake on sustained viral response (SVR) rates in adherent patients receiving hepatitis C treatment.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis of patients treated with antiviral therapy for hepatitis C infection who were enrolled in the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study was completed. Patients were eligible for the study if they had their HCV RNA tested 6 months following treatment completion and at least one cohort follow-up visit during HCV therapy, documenting the consumed amount of alcohol. They were assigned to three groups according to the amount of alcohol consumption: group A without alcohol consumption, group B 24 g/d alcohol.
RESULTS:
554 patients were included. Patients with at least 80% of the scheduled cumulative dose and duration did not significantly differ between the three groups. SVR rates according to alcohol consumption were 60% for non-drinkers (group A), 57% in group B and 50% in group C. No significant negative influence from alcohol consumption during therapy was observed in the multiple regression analysis for treatment success.
CONCLUSION:
In this evaluation, we demonstrated comparable SVR rates in non-drinkers and in patients with daily amounts of alcohol intake up to 24 g during hepatitis C therapy.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
That information is quite dated (2006). I would hope we have come much further in understanding how alcohol may interfere with the success of HCV treatment.
My husband was just a social drinker. He has not had a drop of alcohol since learning he had this virus. Even though he has not had a drop of alcohol, his life has been hell for three years. I honestly don't think he would be alive today had he been drinking alcohol during that time.
So I am in agreement with those before me. Having this very expensive opportunity to clear this virus should be motive enough to stay away from all alcohol and ensure you get rid of this virus forever.
I wish you the best in this quest to be Hep C-free.
Nan
My husband was just a social drinker. He has not had a drop of alcohol since learning he had this virus. Even though he has not had a drop of alcohol, his life has been hell for three years. I honestly don't think he would be alive today had he been drinking alcohol during that time.
So I am in agreement with those before me. Having this very expensive opportunity to clear this virus should be motive enough to stay away from all alcohol and ensure you get rid of this virus forever.
I wish you the best in this quest to be Hep C-free.
Nan
You need to give that drug every chance of working to it's fullest extent...
Adding alcohol to hepatitis is like adding Miracle Grow to tomato plants.....
I stopped all beer & alcohol....everything..
It's been 30 months now..
I was told 3 months prior to beginning tx...After I had started...I just happened to give it up.....
I imagine that will get me reported, just because I said something contrary.
Adding alcohol to hepatitis is like adding Miracle Grow to tomato plants.....
I stopped all beer & alcohol....everything..
It's been 30 months now..
I was told 3 months prior to beginning tx...After I had started...I just happened to give it up.....
I imagine that will get me reported, just because I said something contrary.
http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/provider/guidelines/2006HCV-groups.asp
Patients with Ongoing Alcohol Use
in those who completed HCV therapy, SVR was similar in drinkers and nondrinkers . Thus, alcohol users should not be excluded from antiviral therapy but treatment adherence should be stressed
Patients with Ongoing Alcohol Use
in those who completed HCV therapy, SVR was similar in drinkers and nondrinkers . Thus, alcohol users should not be excluded from antiviral therapy but treatment adherence should be stressed
Yes. I know someone who drank during meds for the virus. Not only did she not clear the virus (at all) she had to go to AA counseling and rehab and wait another year after that to be given the meds again. You have been given a gift of a lifetime to rid yourself of a life threatening disease. So many people are on standby to get this drug as it can literally save their life. Drinking is a contraindication for ridding the virus. Not trying to tell you how to live your life but think if you drink during treatment you will be playing with fire. Kim.
It is recommended that you do not drink any alcohol, especially during treatment. Please do not jeopardize your treatment. You have been given a gift that so many before you did not have. Take care of you. If you are an alcoholic that has not gone through detox, you should probably talk with your doctor about that. Take care of you. Good Luck.
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