ribavirin amounts and times

[marty59]

I am starting tx this week with the 3 meds. I had to buy them via my insurance co. mail order. I just noticed the label on the ribavirin bottle says to take 3 pills 2x daily.
The incivek says to take 2 pills 3x daily, but in the instructions it says to take 7-9 hours apart.

First question is, does everyone else take the riba 3 caps at a time twice a day?
If I take riba twice a day, how far apart, and can I take it at the same time I take the incivek?

I knew there would be 6 caps of the riba to take and 6 of the incivek, I just assumed they would be equal amounts taken at the same time.

[marty59]

Pegasys.

I'm going to stock up on the Klondike bars and some vanilla ice cream for the night time snack.

I also saw the the Jimmy Dean suasage, and cheese microwave biscuits are like 28 grams, plus there are several other microwave breakfast bowls that will make it easy for someone like me that doesn't like to cook in the morning

[frijole]

Yes, Marty, I have been reading here that a lot of people are getting mighty sick of peanut butter.  I don't have to worry about those 20g fat with the VIC but I had already checked the labeling on KLondike Bars and they are 17g -- which I thought was nearly perfect for the late night snack!

I stocked up on Medicated Gold Bond -- it helps with the ribavirin itching (probably not the Incevik rash) and Tylenol - the pain med of choice with liver disease.  I still need to get some Nioxin - shampoo for hair loss. My scalp has been itching quite a bit so I think those folicles may be releasing some hari pretty soon (darm).

I will be thinking about you Friday.  Hope it goes smooth -- which interferon are you using - PegIntron or Pegasys?

frijojle

[marty59]

Yes this is going to be my first.
I'm starting on Friday.
I have already gone down to the grocery store and looked at all the different snack type foods I think I will be able to eat to get that 20grams. Looks like alot of people rely alot on peanut butter, which is ok, but not long term.
Just getting some sort of schedule planned in advance and trying to make a plan B if plan A doesn't work.

[frijole]

marty
good luck on getting started.  Is this your first time treating?

I think it is fine for you to take the first doses of both at the same time.  I will be taking the Victrelis instead of the INcivek, but it is the same timing.  I am taking the riba now, during the lead in at 7 & 7.  I may adjust that to 6 & 6 since I must do the VIC exactly 8 hours apart and will probably do 6,2, and 10.  You will find your rythym.

Have the doctors told you to take the INcivek with about 20 grams of fat each time?  That may impact how you dose too as you may want to line up your meals and snacks with dosing times.  You are supposed to take the ribavivin with "some" fat for absorption but for the Incevik to achieve maximum absorption, the 20 grams of fat is suggested.  

Welcome to the mad house  (oh, I mean forum)

frijole (I am on week 2)

[marty59]

Thanks everyone

[lynda607]

Yes, you can take the ribavirin and Incivek at the same time in the am.  The 20 fat g requirement required with Incivek will also assist in the absorption of the ribavirin.