Hep C Discussion Forum

Sunrise747 · Senior Member

RE: Incivek Vs Victrelis

Margo · Senior Member

With my every order each month, the pharmacy technician tells me that Incivek by itself costs $21,000 per MONTH! Just in case I want to stop, I will be responsible for payments.

alohaKim · Senior Member

My doc told me that Incivek costs approx $12,000/month. Victrelis costs approx $3000/month (US $.) This is because Incivek is made by a small pharm company, and Victrelis is made my Merck, a big pharm company. So Incivek costs more per month, but is used for fewer months. So it kind of evens out. Luckily, I have fabulous insurance (military) and a great doc who basically just let me choose which medicine was right for me. I know everyone doesn't have this luxury.

Isiscat2011 · Guru

Hi JoAnneh: I also wasn't really given a choice and did not know enough to ask detailed questions at that time; I just felt so lucky to be able to treat. Doc liked Incivek better because of its somewhat better SVR rates and shorter tx period. Also, I believe he told me that the anemia was supposed to be less severe with Incivek.

Interesting to hear that some insurance companies prefer victrelis. One would expect victrelis to cost more since the patient is expected to be on it for longer.

The only reason an insurance company would prefer one drug over the other is cost. Perhaps they are seeing that Incivek costs more in the long run due to rescue drugs; and also they may be discovering that reported SVR rates for Incivek were inflated (if the patient does not achieve SVR then anticipated future medical costs must be considered by the insurance company).

I don't know which is better and I doubt the doctors do either at this point, but you are smart to learn as much as you can.

JoAnneh · Guru

I too already have itchy skin been getting rashes over a year so Why would doc suggest Invicek? He and I need to discuss When I go to talk

Caryn · Senior Member

This is interesting as I was not given a choice. My doctor said Incivek. I need to ask her why she thinks that would work better. I don't think I am going to do well with the 20 grams of fat intake at 6 am or even 7am for that matter. I cannot eat now right when I wake up. I have no appetite for at least 2 to 3 hours after I wake up. I realize the later I take it in the morning, the later I have to stay up at night. From reading the posts, I am not sure how that will work either. Of course, I have no idea if I will be super tired and unable to stay awake or be dealing with insomnia. So is there any medical reason that someone would take one over the other?

Shep · Guru

My insurance company choose the Victrelis for me--they would not approve Incivek. Who knows?? I am ok with the Victrelis--don't have to do the fat intake, have had very little rash. I was undected at week 8-1st time for tx. I will be starting week 12 and doing ok. Starting to getting really, really tired. Labs next week

alohaKim · Senior Member

My two main reasons for choosing Victrelis were 1) there's no fat intake requirement. I knew I couldn't wake up and eat 20g of fat at 6am every day. With Victrelis you take it with food, but it's any kind of food that you choose. Also 2) I already have itchy skin, didn't want to take a chance getting that rash.
It's definitely a personal choice and everyone is different.

JoAnneh · Guru

Thank you for sharing that info on the edge w Invicek! I need every edge just like you as a non Responser

JoAnneh · Guru

Thank you for the info! I will see doctor about questions in a week or so But he suggesting Invicek which confuses me as I started having rashes a year ago! COurse He claims no relation to Hep C but I am not so sure As since 50 I have felt the effects of Hep C. Any feedback from others is so welcomed

Sunrise747 · Senior Member

I poured over the trails data of both drugs for weeks and ultimately decided that Telepravir had a slight edge for me as a relapser.

Phil G · Senior Member

Per the Victrelis Product Guide, the duration depends (Response Guided Therapy).

For previously untreated folks, its 28 weeks for all 3 meds if undetected at week 8. If detected at week 8, its 36 weeks for the 3 meds, then just peg/riba thru week 48.

For previous partial responders or relapsers, its all 3 meds thru week 36 if undetected at week 8. If detected at week 8, its all 3 meds thru week 36, then just peg/riba thru week 48.

If the VL is greater than 100 at week 12 or detected at week 24, your done in all cases.

Hope I got that right.

I knew only enough at the time to ask the doctor why Victrelis and not Incivek. He said less skin problems, and I never argued. I am also using Pegintron instead of Pegasys. I think the thought was that you had to with Victrelis, but not sure if that's correct. But no complants as I'm previously untreated, and undetected at weeks 8 and 12.

JoAnneh · Guru

I haven't started triple tx yet. I have a few weeks waiting on insurance process. Nurse told me doctor suggests . Do we take it for three months and the interferon and RIBA for 48??? Is that what you are doing? I appreciate any feedback JoAnne

TazKat · Senior Member

Cybergranny, i have to do the do the interferon & riba for 48 weeks, this includes the 12 weeks with the incivek. which i have about 3 1/2 week or so left on that.. yay. then 36 more weeks of shot & nasty little white riba pills.. i was non responder so my doc says we are doing the 48 weeks. i am grateful that God gave me the opportunity to do this medicine & that the drug facility is doing patient assistance. I have been blessed. So Let's all kick that dragon's ass.. shall we?

designer101 · Newbie

Hi Jill,

thanks for the reply.

Yes, very confused is a good way to put. I'm going to have to take a crash course in Victrelis. The more I think about it the more I think that this is what I will have do. It's the therapy that was submitted, appoved and is sitting in my refrigerator.

I am just hoping that my GI has a good explanation for choosing Victrelis. Maybe he's more familiar with this treatment?? I don't know, not a good thing to be speculating at this point. I'll try and get some answers today.

Off to the salt mines.

thanks again for your reply

Fran

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

Hi Fran and a warm welcome to the forum. smile I can well understand why you are feeling so anxious with all this, it must be very confusing for you.

There are other people here also on the triple therapy with Victrelis who will be happy to share their experiences with you, but your GI doctor really should be able to give you an explanation of what`s going on.

In the meantime here is a link which may answer some of your questions about Victrelis -

http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2011/05/victrelis_bocep.html

I don`t know how you will stand with your insurance company (I`m in the UK), but good luck with getting some clarity very soon.

Try not to worry too much until you have the full facts, which I hope you will get asap.

All the best of luck! Take care, Jill xx

designer101 · Newbie

hi,

I'm new here and have no idea what I should do.

I've had two biopsies, one in 2006, one last year. No scarring 2006, begining stages fibrosis 2010. I went to my GI doctor and told him I wanted to start treatment. This was a month ago.

I have been watching and researching Incivek since 2004 when it was in clinical trials and known as VX-950 and specifically requested this drug for my treatment.

My doctor said he preferred Merk, but that I could do the incivek if I wanted.

My wife calls me at work and tells me that UPS just delivered my medications. I get home from work and find victrelis.

This is bad in a bunch of different ways. I know nothing about Victrelis,I've never even looked at anything other than Incivek.

I have saved 10 vacation days for the end of the year to start treatment (no carry-over to next year, use 'em or lose 'em) If I have to go back through approval with the insurance company I doubt that I will be starting before years end. And most important, If I do the victrelis and it doesn't work for me, then what?

needless to say my anxiety level is at 15 on a scale of 10.

thanks,

I really needed to unload some of this

Fran

-- Edited by designer101 on Wednesday 30th of November 2011 03:22:24 AM

1Bigcheese · Member

It was easy for me since I wasnt given a choice. lol. I'm not complaining because I am paying next to nothing for the tx (I am a combat veteran). My Immunologist simply told me "we're going to treat you with Victrelis. The side effects are less and you have a much greater chance of making it through the therapy". I was aware that telepivir had been shown to be slightly more effective and mentioned this to him. His answer "It wont be effective if you cannot make it through therapy because of SE's. This made sense to me and didnt question it again.

BC

Deidre · Senior Member

ciber granny

do you have cirhosis? What nationality are you.

People that have chirosis, or are of darker skin tone, or have had breakthrough virus in the past treatments, are usually told to do 48 weeks.

also did your 4 week test actually say not detected, or undetected range?

My 4 week test said detected under 43iu undetectable range.

That is still considered a detected, and a reason to do 48 weeks.

s for liver functions, they can go up and down several times on treatment, mine were always normal, until I got off the inciveks.

-- Edited by Deidre on Thursday 10th of November 2011 04:28:24 PM

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

Hi and welcome to the forum Cybergranny. Here is a link to another more recent thread on the same topic which you may also find helpful -

http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t45886318/victrelis-or-incivek/

There are many of our members who are currenly on triple therapy who may be able to reply to you. Has your doctor given you a reason for wanting you to go to 48 weeks?

All the best, Jill xx smile

-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Thursday 10th of November 2011 11:43:09 AM

Cybergrannny · Newbie

Hi. I am new to this forum. But needed to comment. I had decided on Incivek even though in prior int/rib treatment had trouble with rash. Then my Dr. Tried to scare me with the diarrhea thing. Went with Invivek anyway. On week 8 and very little trouble. No real diarrhea, no blisters and, as long as I keep from scratching, itching is not a problem. However, I wanted Incivek for the 6 months treatment if neg at week 4. Well, I was neg at week 4, my liver functions are normal, but mr doc wants me to go 48 weeks. Anyone else running into this?

BeccaJune · Senior Member

Thanks for the response Karen. And the hugs.

Yes, I think I did read your earlier post about that and I'm glad to see that you are doing so well. I have been looking up everything I can on the internet about both of the drugs and I know what the possible sx are. So far, I am not convienced that the Victrelis has any advantage and if I have a chance at the 24 weeks, it would just be a small miracle to beat this in that time frame.

The insurance co took so long to approve my rx and now the dr. lays this on me. He also pointed out some of the awful possible sx of the riba and pega, like diabetes and permanent thyroid damage. Yikes! He did say that he had never had a patient with these sx.

It's so darn hot now, so I hope you are doing ok at staying out of the heat!

britlitkaren · Senior Member

You know, they pulled that on me a WEEK before I started tx. I may have posted, I looked Nurse Terry in the eye and with the 1st tears she'd ever seen asked point blank what SHE would do if it were her body. FYI, she's the hep c specialist, worked for this transplant dr for 15 years... etc. She said, with confidence: "either one."

She was afraid I'd terminate if I blistered. Bottom line. So I promised, because I wanted 12 weeks instead of 48. And I called her when I blistered n she prescribed Atarax generic. I haven't even taken one.

Geez, it almost felt like a coin toss and it's my life at stake! I've had very little rash really. When it's bad, it's itchy as heck. But the blister episodes are rare. I've had 2, on my hand once, back 3 xs, and chest 2xs.... and that only if I'm out in the heat. So I think I'm just avoiding it for now.

Not trying to convince you of anything. I just wanted to commiserate w/ you cuz it sucks having to make a decision like this. Of course everyone's experience is diff, etc etc. Stay chill hunnyo. It's all gonna work out fine... Hugs, Karen

BeccaJune · Senior Member

My Doctor had planned on putting me on Telaprevir but is now recommending that his patients do the triple tx with Victrelis (Boceprevir). He said the rash could be so bad as to cause scaring wiht Telaprevir, and stopping of the tx, and he thinks the % of success is close enough between the two drugs. He mentioned that he thinks the % of success with the Telaprevir study was not accurate because some of the participants had to stop tx and were not counted in the success rate. Wouldn't this be true in the Boceprevir study?

He gave me the choice, and I quized him extensively, but am still not sure that I want to choose the Boceprevir. My pharmacy was ready to ship Telaprevir, and now I am having doubts as to the best choice.

-- Edited by BeccaJune on Monday 1st of August 2011 10:40:14 PM

britlitkaren · Senior Member

I browsed Greg's links. Thnx Greg. I was told that there was much less rash probs w Victrelis. But you have to stay on it the entire 48 weeks. That was the catch for me n I went w Incivek for 12 weeks. My Dr said both worked equally as well. Sigh. Such big decisions. Ask about that? The pharmacy called today n when I brot up my rash, I got 2 follow up phone calls. I know they changed buffers a lot during trials to reduce rash probs. Good numbers either way. Congratulations on getting started! Karen