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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Ribasphere tablets in refrigerator?
Post Info TOPIC: Ribasphere tablets in refrigerator?
Sed3


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RE: Ribasphere tablets in refrigerator?
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I spoke to the specialty pharmacist at my insurance company's pharmacy, and he said it should be fine. Although he did ask me if my refrigerator was colder than 59 degrees. :::eyeroll:::

__________________

Type 1B - Unknown for 30 years, diagnosed September 2011, started treatment February 2012

8 weeks Incivik - stopped early due to rash.

Continuing Pegasys and Ribavirin until January 2013 - 48 weeks

Undetectable from week 4 --> present
LadyAlaise


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I've accidently kept my Riba in the fridge for over a day or two and when I asked my NP at liver doc's she had said it should be fine; just not to store it in the fridge; I've done it more than once thanks to my foggy head but thus far no problems


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Genotype 1A, Genotype (from parents) CC, Viral Load=7,514,000 (as of 12/6/11) Started Triple Therapy TX: 12/17/2011.UND @ 4-48 Wks Taken Off Incivek @ 6 wks due to Rash Response. Finished TX 11/17/12. SVR year 1
Neil_Canuck


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Once again....this is from the Merck product information guide. It makes no difference where you keep the ribavirin. I keep everything in the fridge. If you live in a climate where temps could hit over 86 deg F in the summer it is wiser to keep it in the fridge.

http://www.merckfrosst.ca/assets/en/pdf/products/VICTRELIS_TRIPLE-PM_E.pdf      Storage is on page 50 for all 3 products.

Storage of ribavirin

When separated, RBV should be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C or at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C. 



-- Edited by Neil_Canuck on Tuesday 6th of November 2012 07:44:21 PM

__________________

58 yrs, cirrhotic, Genotype 1b 48 weeks Victrelis triple, SOT 7/13/12 victrelis started week 5. Starting VL 4,000,000  Wk 8 33 copies  Wk 24 UND, EOT UND 6 months post Tx DET. The battle goes on.
Judy S


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I'd always kept my PegIntron and Victrelis in the fridge and the Riba at room temp.  That's how I received them from the pharmacy and how I was instructed to keep them.

Uval, I'd guess that they don't want you to break the Riba in half because it is time-released.  If you split it, you might get too much medication at once.



-- Edited by Judy S on Tuesday 6th of November 2012 06:08:42 PM

__________________

Geno 1a; VL 4.7 million in Feb 2012. Started PegIntron & Ribavirin 3-9-12. Added Victrelis 4-6-12. UND since Week 8. Stopped tx Wk 23. UND 4 Wks post-tx. Relapsed 12-weeks-post.

52 y/o F, started Epclusa 11-10-19, F0/F1.  EOT 2-1-2020. UND. All liver function tests normal.
Uval951


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Our CVS Special Pharmacy has instructed to keep Ribasphere (RibaPak) tablets in ROOM temperature. Other meds (Pegasys, Victrelis) are stored in refrigerator only.

Just in case, if you reduce Ribs doses, DON'T BREAK RibaPak tablets for half!!! I have no idea why, but pharmacy told me it a few times.



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Gen. 1b. 1st Tx in 2003 Rib/Peg. Biopsy F3-F4; 2nd Tx started 2/28/12, Pegasys+RibaPak+Victrelis for 48 weeks. VL: 260,000 (starting), 125,600 (4 weeks), UND-weeks 6-45.EOT 1/7/13 after 45 full weeks. Post Tx 4,12,24 weeks -UND  SVR!
Bloomster


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We've always kept peg/riba/victrelis in the fridge also.  Glad to discuss to clear up though.



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My husband had genotype 1a, 46yo, started triple therapy (peg/rib/vic) 23rd July 2012, VL prior to treatment 14 million, UNDET 12, 24 weeks, EOT 24th June 2013, EOT +1.5 weeks UNDET, EOT +12 weeks & EOT +27 weeks UNDET; SVR January 2014
iggle


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Interesting question. I have always stored my riba at room temp.



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Sed3


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Mu understanding is that only the liquid ribavirin gets refrigerated, not the pills.

Regardless, I'm in NYC, so I"ll have to wait until Armageddon passes to get anything done.

__________________

Type 1B - Unknown for 30 years, diagnosed September 2011, started treatment February 2012

8 weeks Incivik - stopped early due to rash.

Continuing Pegasys and Ribavirin until January 2013 - 48 weeks

Undetectable from week 4 --> present
mallani


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You guys had me worried that I'd misunderstood a basic instruction from day1! I rang my doc who was highly amused at my concern. His instructions are to keep the Riba. in the fridge after opening. We have many days over 30C, so room temp. would be a concern here.



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
Biggyb


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Yea, i get my peg in 1 pack and riba in seperate bottles. Have always kept riba at room temp. I cant see what it could possibly hurt being in fridge, might be better in fridge and stay fresher.Its just easy for me too keep that way..I do keep peg and Victrelis in fridge.



__________________

58 yo..Relapsed in 99 and again in 2004. Started triple therapy with Victrelis July 22,2012.  genotype 1a. week 8,12,16,24 VL Undetectable..E.O.T -- 6-22-2013,,,EOT + 24., UND. 

SVR !!!

 

~Bob~
mallani


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I'm confused! My pharmacy dispenses the Peg./ Copegus pack from their fridge. When I open the pack , I leave it all in the fridge. I've just checked with the pharmacy, and after opening the Copegus, it's OK to store it at <30C. However, it's also OK to keep it in the fridge. The Peg. must be kept in the fridge. I've done this for 33 weeks. Do others take their Riba.(Rebetol , Copegus , Ribasphere) out of the fridge?



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
news


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This is a tough one. I never "abused" my ribasphere ribapacks for a whole week, but twice they were shipped to me on ice packs with my Pegasys and the shipment took two days to arrive. But I bet the pharmacy is going to want to replace them after a whole week. Do you need them for tonight's dose or can you wait till tomorrow?

__________________

Geno 1A  Started Pegasys/Ribavirin/Incivek Nov. 20, 2011 .  Completed July 28, 2012 (36 weeks). For a treatment history, see:  https://jshare.johnshopkins.edu/xythoswfs/webview/_xy-9921874_1

SVR on January 14, 2013!!
kiwi


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all i know is that when i picked up my box of pegasus, the injections and the pills were refrigerated. both in the same box. chemist lady said, keep interferon in fridge, pills, no problem, dont need to keep cold.

 

i dont think you have to worry. its the interferon thats more important to keep chilled.

 

 



__________________

kiwi. genotype 1. started pegasus and riba on 10 nov. VL 17.6 million. (4 weeks VL 1368)  week 15 UNDETECTED... :)
Sed3


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Hi - I accidentally stored my Ribasphere tablets in the refrigerator for a week.  The box says it should be between 59-86 F for "excursions", and normally at 77 F.  No pharmacist at the mail order pharmacy today.

Anyone to assuage my fear until tomorrow?  Thanks! 



__________________

Type 1B - Unknown for 30 years, diagnosed September 2011, started treatment February 2012

8 weeks Incivik - stopped early due to rash.

Continuing Pegasys and Ribavirin until January 2013 - 48 weeks

Undetectable from week 4 --> present
Neil_Canuck


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Right from the Merck product info .pdf  I've always kept the whole box with all 3 products in the fridge the way it was dispensed from the pharmacy. That is correct.

 

STORAGE AND STABILITY 

Storage of VICTRELIS TRIPLEPackages 

Store VICTRELIS TRIPLEpackage refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C. Do not use past expiry 

date on the label. 

Storage of boceprevir

Boceprevir should be refrigerated at 2°C > 8°C until dispensed to the patient. When separated and for 

patient use, the product may be stored in the refrigerator until the expiration date printed on the 

label. The product can also be stored at room temperature (15°C30°C) for up to 3 months. 

Store in the original container.  

Storage of ribavirin

When separated, RBV should be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C or at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C.  

Storage for peginterferon alfa-2b

When separated and before reconstitution, store the individual carton of PegIFN2b at 2°C to 8°C. 

Once reconstituted PegIFN2b should be used immediately but may be stored at 2°C > 8°C for up to 

24 hours. Do not freeze. 



-- Edited by Neil_Canuck on Monday 29th of October 2012 02:52:49 AM

__________________

58 yrs, cirrhotic, Genotype 1b 48 weeks Victrelis triple, SOT 7/13/12 victrelis started week 5. Starting VL 4,000,000  Wk 8 33 copies  Wk 24 UND, EOT UND 6 months post Tx DET. The battle goes on.
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