Thank you Hector. For your time and thoughts. I hope that all is well for you.
Your compassion as always speaks well of you.
There is no difference between treatment standards in the US and Canada.
12 weeks of Harvoni treatment is the standard duration treating for genotype 1, treatment naïve patients with or without cirrhosis as stated in the prescribing Harvoni label and the AASLD/IDSA treatment guidelines.
24 weeks without ribavirin is ONLY for treatment experienced patients.
Harvoni label - "Treatment - experienced with cirrhosis: 24 weeks"
12 weeks plus ribavirin can also be used instead of 24 weeks in most treatment experienced cirrhotic patients as well.
By the way...when you become undetectable (My viral load was 28 after four weeks) makes no difference in SVR rates.
AASLD/IDSA Recommendations for Testing, Managing, and Treating Hepatitis C
INITIAL TREATMENT OF HCV INFECTION
Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir was approved by the FDA for the treatment of HCV genotype 1 infection in treatment-naive patients based on 2 registration trials: ION-1(865 treatment-naive patients; those with cirrhosis were included) and ION-3 (647 treatment-naive patients; those with cirrhosis were excluded).
ION-1 investigated length of treatment (12 weeks vs 24 weeks) and the need for RBV. Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12) was 97% to 99% across all arms, with no difference in SVR based on length of treatment, use of RBV, or HCV genotype 1 subtype.
Sixteen percent of subjects enrolled were classified as having cirrhosis. There was no difference in SVR12 in those with cirrhosis (97%) versus those without cirrhosis (98%).
Harvoni Label info…
HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION
These highlights do not include all the information needed to use HARVONI safely and effectively.
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DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Recommended dosage: One tablet (90 mg of ledipasvir and 400 mg of sofosbuvir) taken orally once daily with or without food.
Recommended treatment duration:
Treatment - naïve with or without cirrhosis: 12 weeks
Good luck with achieving SVR and cure.
Hector