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1654177 tn?1319838494

Boceprevir or Teleprevir.. I need to choose which one.

Well, my start date for treatment is set for September 16th. I can choose between Boceprevir and ribivirin with interfuron, or Teleprevir with  ribivirin with interfuron. Since I am genotype 1b, I gotta choose one or the other. Teleprevir is only 12 weeks, but can cause a rash, and anal burning and hemroids. The Boceprevir is 20 weeks (basically all three drugs during the whole TX), but has more chance of loosing morew WBC's causing more anemia vs. Teleprevir. I think I am going to do the Bocevir. Any thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Peace and love to you all!

C
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Avatar universal
"I also thought I would no longer be contagious once I reached SVR, but the hep dr I saw at U of M said that I will always test positive for Hep C antibodies and will still be able to pass the virus on."  
It's scary that a hep doctor would make such a statement about transmission after SVR.

You will always test positive for antibodies but if you attain a sustained virological response (SVR) you cannot pass the virus on.  There is no virus to pass on.  There has been discussion about low occult virus existing after SVR but there is no evidence showing transmission can occur if indeed occult HCV exists.  

Helpful - 0
170011 tn?1335076097
Hi Ginger.   You mentioned you were going to "start" with the one that was available first simply because it is available first.    The protease inhibitors are a "one shot deal" because we build up a resistance to them quickly so you don't try one and then the other the way we did with Pegasys and PegIntron.   If one of those didn't work, then people switched to the other or even to daily Infergen.    You can't do that with the protease inhibitors because of the resistance issue so you and your doc chose the one that is "right for you" and if it isn't availabe at the pharmacy as soon as the other than you just wait.   Remember you only have one shot at this as they are not "interchangeable" so please do what your doc suggests for you not what is available the fastest.   You will not get to try the second one if the first one fails.    I hope all lists understand that if you happen to fail the new treatment (which the odds are very good that you WON'T with both of them as they have high SVR's) that you don't get to try the other Protease Inhibitor.   Do your homework and read all the side effects for both and talk to your doctor and make the best choice for you.    It is a "one time deal".
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1654177 tn?1319838494
Thanks Sandy! I e mailed my doctor at Kaiser yesterday, she got back to me and said after I reach SVR, I will have little to no chance of passing the virus to another person. That gives me more motivation to power through this! :)
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Avatar universal
My doctor originally wanted me on boce, I never did ask him why. I think he said it had something to do with my IL28B being a CC, but now I think we know CC's do well with both. correct me if I'm wrong. I chose incivek because It clears the virus immediately if it works for you and I just wanted to stop this virus.. I haven't had much problems with the rash. There is always a rash somewhere, but nothing for me the a cortisone prescription hasn't controlled as of yet and I am going on my last month of incivek. I've has no problem with stomach upsets. I consider myself lucky. Blood problems but I think that would happen on the Boce as well. Good luck on you choice.
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Avatar universal
I also thought I would no longer be contagious once I reached SVR, but the hep dr I saw at U of M said that I will always test positive for Hep C antibodies and will still be able to pass the virus on.   But as Will said, passing it to child or spouse is very rare.  I would be interested to hear if anyone  was told that we would NOT  be contagious once we SVR.

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1654177 tn?1319838494
Thanks Will! I'm starting to feel so comfortable on this forum, I thought TX meant tripple treatment. Now it's more clear. I have read up a lot on this, but I am always open to learning more. I feel like I can ask you guys anything! I am so grateful we all have each other.
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Avatar universal
tx.. is a short form for   treatment      

SVR is sustained virological response....Undetected virus at 6 months after treatment ends

Und...means just that there is no virus detected to the sensitivity of the test that is done

It is advisable to not get pregnant for at least a year from ending treatment as the drugs  may have damaging effects to an unborn before then.

As far as the B/F  you are all good to go now.  :)...as long as he does not get your blood somehow into his blood stream..  most of us have been married and /or living with our familys for many years and decades and  they  most always test negative.

Will

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Avatar universal
cieritaqt....i think tx means treatment.    And the latest treatment is with the PI which is the triple tx.
It is my understanding that once you are SVR...that is, no virus after 6 months after you complete tx, some say 1 yr after completing tx...you no longer have the virus....that is my understanding.  Of course, check with your doctor to get the medical version.
Helpful - 0
1654177 tn?1319838494
So The tripple therapy is now know as TX right? also, once we beat it and reach SVR, soed this mean I will no longer be able to transmit the virus to my boyfriend, or a newborn baby? When it is undetectable, does that mean, no longer contagious?!! :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
In a non-technical way, the way I understand SVR is that it is  'sustained virolgical response' meaning that the virus is gone....and that it is gone 6 months after finishing tx...which should mean that it is gone for good !
SOC is  'standard of care'  and I understood that this was meant to be the standard of medical treatment...which was used for the dual treatment.  Now people have available  triple therapy which includes the new PI (Protease Inhibitor -> either incevik or vitrelis).
Helpful - 0
1747881 tn?1546175878
SOC not SOS sorry
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1747881 tn?1546175878
SVR - sustained virological response

SOS - standard of care
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1654177 tn?1319838494
Thank Ginger! Good luck, the Incivek is not available to me yet in Kaiser pharmacies, so I guess I will start with Victelis since it s available first. I have read up alot on this, but what do the acronyms stand for? SVR and SOC?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I chose to do the Incivek instead of the victrelis ...it is just what i thought I would take.  I think both drugs can have the same SVR results...of course the side effects are different.  I guess I think I can handle a rash better than anemia....but I am sure I will get anemia anyway because I got it the last time I treated with SOC.  But I will only have to take the incevik for 12 weeks, so I think I preferred that.  I guess it is a personal decision which drug to take....whatever you decide will be the right decision for you.
I will be treating by myself....so Streamline I look to you for strength ;)
Good luck to everyone!  Ginger P
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1654177 tn?1319838494
I am not sure yet, but I have heard of hep C suppost groups. Are there any in your area? Like meetings where people go and gather support from each other? I know there are some in Los Angeles.
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1778231 tn?1314479529
I am supposed to start a 48 week session.  I have another illnesses that I am being watched for and just got over having both hands operated on for CTS.  Permanent nerve damage and a bad legiment in my left knee from a fall.  Cooking is ok but cleaning is out of the question.  I might end up hiring someone to clean up for me.......oh well,  gotta do what I gotta.  I think the anxiety of it all is getting to me!.  I stay in prayer!
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223152 tn?1346978371
msellie - You are treatment naive?  You have the possibility of doing 24 or 28 weeks which should not be too bad.  My husband picked up the slack with meals - not that I cared much about what I ate first treatment.  Since your husband is disabled is there any chance you could get Meals on Wheels or any other meal program?  Mind you I cooked Christmas dinner for 20 at week 24.    Housecleaning -- let it go.  I worked full time and was glad to do that but cut out all other activies.   No one can tell you how you will react but it is worth a try.  Do you know what your liver damage is?

lifenet62 - How kind of you to say that.  This is a comfort zone.  Outsiders don't understand and frankly I don't tell anyone so really don't give them a chance.  So this is the place to be.
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Avatar universal

I think quite a few of us are doing this alone. I thought I wanted people to be there with me to help. Now that I'm on week 8. I''m glad I'm alone and try to avoid as many people as I can. You'll be able to do it alone. Don't worry.  
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1778231 tn?1314479529
thank you for all of the comments ans suggestions.  It's funny I havent even begun the treatment yet and I fill so involved.  One questions though that no one has taked about..... "family support".  I pray that I dont have "any" side effects because my husband is disabled and won't be of any help and my children live away.  I'm not wanting to be babied, but when you don't feel well you just don't feel well.  Any suggestions!!!!
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Avatar universal
I'll be doing the 4 wk. lead in w/PegInterferon/Riba before adding Vic. for 12 weeks, then last 8 w/P. and R.. I wasn't offered the choice and to be honest, while this forum has been extreley informtive, my MD/hep's specialty is HCV and he attended UVA, an institution that I regard very highly. He has had extensive experience in HC treatment, but he is also open to my questions/concerns.
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244899 tn?1313624639
Myself and my doc choose invevik for the shorter time and he mentioned to me less sides with incevik. He told me Vic had more dry mouth and sores, not sure? But I'm on week seven and und at 4, stopping incevik at 12. Only five more weeks seemed to go pretty quick. Joe
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1735424 tn?1357433558
Frijole you always nail it.....this forum is a helpful and a comfortable place to be.

Cieritaqt.....I was just approved for tx, and most likely will be on VIC.  
Dr also stated perianal problems with patients on INC....using Boudreaux's Butt Creme....no joke, and I hear it really works!  
So VIC it is if the can get the drugs, scripts being written on Monday...I am being assisted financially and this is a blessing.  Target Start date for tx is last week of Sept....It is wonderful that many of us will be starting treatment around the same time so we can go through it together.....this forum and site have given me hope, information and peace of mind, that I never thought I could find outside of therapy....I wish you the best and peace of mind....know I will be keeping you in my thoughts, new friend.

Willbb, thanks for the clear, concise info....much appreciated.....
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223152 tn?1346978371
I chose the VIC.  My doctor prefers the INC primarily because the patient starts with all 3 drugs and he thinks that is easier than adding another drug at week 4.  I decided on VIC because I don't want the rash or the anal burning but also because I have seen some pretty amazing successes on this forum with VIC in the trials.  Either way you go is fine.  This is just personal for me.  There is something really scary about taking something that is so strong you only have to do it for 12 weeks.  I actually prefer the extended time with teh VIC.  I was anemic and had low neutrophils last time, so I am expecting that - maybe just a few weeks sooner this time.

Good luck with your decision.  I think about 95% of people who has started since FDA approval (on this forum) are treating with INC.

Welcome to the forum.  I find it a very helpful and comfortable place to be.

frjiole
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Avatar universal
I will be doing the incivek but will still have to treat the whole 48 weeks even if at 4 weeks I am undetected, doc said didn't want me to relapse so its 48 weeks.:( only 12 weeks on incivek thank God
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