Aa
Does Ribavirin cause anemia when used with Sovaldi??
My husband just got approved for Sovaldi + Ribavirin for 24 weeks. We are very excited but he needs to get his hemoglobin up before starting his treatment. We already have the meds in the house but can not start using them. He had a shot of procrit yesterday - labwork in a week to see if his hemoglobin is up from 8.9 (normal range starts at 13.9). His red blood cell count is 2.94 (normal range starts at 4.5).
I am confused. I had been told that when my husband was on triple treatment and had to stop because of severe anemia that ribavirin was the drug that caused the anemia but I just read in some old literature its the interferon shots that cause the anemia. So which is it? Or, is it both?
Is anyone who is using Ribavirin now with Sovaldi experiencing anemia? Just want to know what to look out for.
Thanks
Nan
I am confused. I had been told that when my husband was on triple treatment and had to stop because of severe anemia that ribavirin was the drug that caused the anemia but I just read in some old literature its the interferon shots that cause the anemia. So which is it? Or, is it both?
Is anyone who is using Ribavirin now with Sovaldi experiencing anemia? Just want to know what to look out for.
Thanks
Nan
Best Answer
I was wondering why his hgb had dropped so rapidly from 11.4 to 8.8 in less than two weeks time. I think I found the answer. While in the hospital, he is being giving heprin to reduce the risk of blood clots. I just read online that heprin can lower the platelets. I am guessing that would reduce his rbcs and hemoglobin.
Does anyone have any input on whether the heprin shots lowered his hgb?
Nan
Does anyone have any input on whether the heprin shots lowered his hgb?
Nan
I am hoping and praying that all goes well for you on treatment. This is the same treatment that Hector was on for 48 weeks and he was able to get through it pretty well. Unfortunately, my husband has not been that lucky (so far). Hopefully they will find a balance that will make treatment easier for him in the weeks ahead.
The labs are very important. I gave my husband a procrit shot once a week for the first five weeks. Each week his hgb increased but unfortunately so did his HE episodes. After the fifth shot, his labs showed 11.4 hgb. No shot that week, yet he ended up in the hospital. By this 6th week, his hgb had already dropped to 8.8 and he was given a procrit shot on Friday.
Not everyone has this problem as Hector's experience has shown. I'm just writing about my husband's experience because I think it will be helpful to others in knowing what could happen and what to look out for.
Please keep us posted and know that you are NOT alone. Draw your strength from all of these members here on the forum who are wishing you the very best as you go through treatment to finally get rid of this insidious virus.
Nan
The labs are very important. I gave my husband a procrit shot once a week for the first five weeks. Each week his hgb increased but unfortunately so did his HE episodes. After the fifth shot, his labs showed 11.4 hgb. No shot that week, yet he ended up in the hospital. By this 6th week, his hgb had already dropped to 8.8 and he was given a procrit shot on Friday.
Not everyone has this problem as Hector's experience has shown. I'm just writing about my husband's experience because I think it will be helpful to others in knowing what could happen and what to look out for.
Please keep us posted and know that you are NOT alone. Draw your strength from all of these members here on the forum who are wishing you the very best as you go through treatment to finally get rid of this insidious virus.
Nan
Thank you all for your support and kind words. It's been a long and difficult road for us since we found out he had this virus and end stage liver disease back in Dec. 2010. He has done everything that has been asked of him - fighting bravely to stay alive. Nothing has come easy for him and now this.
He is probably the strongest person I know, never giving up, and just pushing forward no matter the roadblocks. We have been together over 40 years and I know that we are each other's source of strength. So we will keep fighting and look forward to the day when he hears he has finally beat this virus and then hopefully go on to a hep c free life.
Your prayers and positive thoughts are so appreciated. Thank you.
Nan
He is probably the strongest person I know, never giving up, and just pushing forward no matter the roadblocks. We have been together over 40 years and I know that we are each other's source of strength. So we will keep fighting and look forward to the day when he hears he has finally beat this virus and then hopefully go on to a hep c free life.
Your prayers and positive thoughts are so appreciated. Thank you.
Nan
I pray, hope and wish the best of luck for your husband and your support of him.
I appreciated reading all the above posts. I start on the sovaldi / riba combo next week. We were told at class that we would be given lab schedule for blood work and that if we missed appointments we could be taken off the protocol.
As any of who have taken riba in the past know, we have been told that it can affect your blood count and that is why it is important to do the lab work. I can understand your concern. I so envy the ones who have spouses who are such good helpmates. This is hard to do alone...That is why I read every ones posts. Howie is my hero and crusader on this...I figure if he can do it so can I or at least try 100%.
I am geno 1/ stg 4 Esld / decompensated liver / on transplant list with an over the top HCV load so I'm crossing my fingers....it's good to read everyone's posts and good luck to your husband and I will be watching his progress.
As any of who have taken riba in the past know, we have been told that it can affect your blood count and that is why it is important to do the lab work. I can understand your concern. I so envy the ones who have spouses who are such good helpmates. This is hard to do alone...That is why I read every ones posts. Howie is my hero and crusader on this...I figure if he can do it so can I or at least try 100%.
I am geno 1/ stg 4 Esld / decompensated liver / on transplant list with an over the top HCV load so I'm crossing my fingers....it's good to read everyone's posts and good luck to your husband and I will be watching his progress.
I am so sorry for what you and your husband have been going thru. Hope that they can find the right combo so that he can clear this virus. I so admire your determination and hope for a successful outcome. Kim
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Anemia
The primary toxicity of Ribavirin is hemolytic anemia, which was observed in approximately 13% of all Ribavirin/peginterferon alfa-2a- treated subjects in clinical trials. Anemia associated with Ribavirin occurs within 1 to 2 weeks of initiation of therapy. Because the initial drop in hemoglobin may be significant, it is advised that hemoglobin or hematocrit be obtained pretreatment and at week 2 and week 4 of therapy or more frequently if clinically indicated. Patients should then be followed as clinically appropriate. Caution should be exercised in initiating treatment in any patient with baseline risk of severe anemia (e.g., spherocytosis, history of gastrointestinal bleeding)
http://www.drugs.com/pro/ribavirin.html