New Drug Treatments - Which One Is Better

[jsf52]

I am very confused about the new PI drugs.  I am supposed to see my doctor (Dr. Saab at UCLA Pfleger Liver Inst) in the next few weeks to talk about the best plan for me to restart tx.  I went off in February after 12 weeks when I didn't make the 2 log marker - my VC went down from 5 million to 149,000.  I have had Hep C for 27 to 30 years and I am a gentoype 1a with my last biopsy in August 2010 putting me at a Grade 2/4, Stage 3/4 (bridging fibrosis, suspicious for evolving cirrhosis).  I just did labs at the end of April and my VC is 3.2 million, my AST is 108 and my ALT is 189.  I take Vitamin D daily and my D3 level is now 32 which is in the optimal range.  My IL28 test showed me to be a T/T which means I have the poorest response rate to SOC.  I have tried reading the information on both of the PIs and am trying to figure out which one makes most sense for my situation - does anyone out there have any information or personal experience that will help when I see my doctor?  Thanks for the help.

[streamline569]

I don't think anyone can tell you which one is better for you. Everyone reacts differently. I chose incivek because I didn't care about the rash. I was more concerned about the anemia. I got lucky because I didn't get all the other bad sides with the incivek. I don't know much about the other drug. I also knew the incivek had the potential to stop the virus right in it track the first month and it did with me. Now if I had the nausea  and other sides I may be not so happy choosing  incivek so it's all just luck. ( I guess. )
Good Luck on your choice

[joemc34606]

I've been on incevik for nine weeks now, I was und at 4. My worst sides are fatigue and always sore throat, nausea kicks in now and then. Haven't got the rash yet. I would definitely add one of them because your chances to clear greatly increase with PIs. Good luck. Joe

[dhsaber]

The rash can be prevented by taking I zyrtec a day. I'm in my 6th week, and have had none, yet I'm prone to rashes.
What most people don't know, when they compare the two studies, is the telepavir study did not allow "rescue drugs at the time, plus they also treated prior non-responders.
The Bicopir, study did allow rescue drugs ( so no telling how bad the side effects would of been without them, and did not treat prior non responders. So the numbers you see with the telepavir study are true numbers, or worst case scenarios, wherea the bicopevir are not. I have had no rash.

[brianmo]

The conversation with my doctor was the same. Rash or Anemia. I am CC, GT 1a, High VL and have not treated. I am leaning towards NOT adding either and hoping we can stop at 24 weeks which my doctor said they are doing for folks with GT 1a CC if the VL drops.

This was all new to me but I'll take it. I know in your situation you were a non responder so its down to another decision for you!  I would talk with your doctor and see what they think. I don't treat until the end of summer so I am hoping between now and then there is more information and it looks like your also seeing a doctor at a Liver Clinic so they will have first hand information..

Stay calm......Mo

[Magnum]

The common side effects offered up by the two drugs have been noted and explained to me personally by my Gastroenterologist.

Telaprevir (Incivek) = The potential for a horrible rash
Boceprevir (Victrelis) = The potential for anemia

As I understand it, it's much easier to get rid of the Anemia with Procrit than it is to get rid of the rash. The Gastro told me that in his studies, 30% of those in the Incivek trials dropped out because of the rash. Both drugs offer a greater potential in clearing the virus when in combination with Pegasys and Ribavirin, than with the two drugs alone. You may run the side effects question by your doctor...

Best of luck in clearing...

Magnum