Has Anyone Started a Prescription for Sovaldi yet?

[nursehepc]

Just curious. I had an appointment with my hepatologist that was rescheduled from the end of November 2013 to the end of March 2014 because they stated that actual drug availability and insurance issues would need to be worked out. They stated that all patients that have been warehoused were rescheduled for appointments in March. I note that my BCBS insurance lists Sovaldi as covered but the pharmacy management plans for specialty drugs do not yet list Sovaldi. Gilead lists several pharmacy distribution centers that currently warehouse Sovaldi but not management plans (i.e., CareMark, Express Scripts).

I called to see if I could be put on a waiting list for an earlier appointment and was told they did not yet have the drug (was an administrator so I am not sure they understood how the approved use of the drug was being distributed).

Just curious whether anyone had actually filled a prescription in the U.S. I know that over 800 prescriptions have already been written since its approval, but how many have actually been filled?

Joanne

[cheflady]

I have my fingers crossed for you. Good luck on your journey and keep us posted. Jules

[AnxiouslyAwaiting]

I started the Sovaldi/Pegasus/Ribavirin triple therapy on January 16, 2014.  So far, no side effects except a mild headache.  The specialty pharmacy worked with me and the PA, everyone was great on trying to keep the costs down.  I am a prior relapse (twice), so I have 12 months on interferon, and 15 months of interferon/ribavirin experience from fifteen and twenty years ago.  As compared to those two protocols, this is a piece of cake.  I have been proactive with the symptoms and with morning dose of ribavirin I take a capsule of Metamusil and 200 mg ibuprofen; with evening dose the same thing.  At bedtime I take the Sovaldi and a Phenergan.  This is my first time with once a week interferon; prior usage has been three times a week.  These injections do not make my fever spike or make me feel ill.  Bottom line--if this drugs works like it is supposed to, we are lucky to be alive to try it!

[stacyg1960]

I am also a nurse starting riboviran and sovaldi  for hep c I got approved meds due here tomorrow start Thursday. did treatment 2 times with riboviran and interferon and it was killer and didn't cure!!! will keep you posted

[nan535]

Best of luck in your journey for SVR!  Please do keep us posted.

Nan

[Janee56]

This is night and day.  I had similar experiences before with the interferon.  Now into 2 or 3rd week....uh...memory not so hot, so there is a side for me, at least.  and I was going gangbusters til two days ago, when I became pretty lethargic.  But this too, shall pass.  Riba Rash like last time. and platelets already crashed, but that's all part of having cirrhosis, I am sure.  I still feel like this is a cake walk compared to the old tx.  Doc didn't test for viral load last week, so he must not be planning on checking until the end?
Good luck and god bless us all.  :)

[WyoSue]

I have been prescribed sovaldi+ribavirin and BlueCross Federal approved it. Sent the scripts to CVS Caremark today. I expect to hear from them next week, hopefully sooner than later. I was told my copays would be $5000/mo for Sovaldi and $144/mo for ribavirin if I had the scripts filled at a local pharmacy. However, if I ordered them by mail from Caremark, the copays will be $35/mo for sovaldi and $15/mo for riba. Wow,big difference!
Like you, I am SO ready to start treatment! Wishing you and me and everyone else  who tries it SVR with this new drug!