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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> Ribavirin Bioavailability
Post Info TOPIC: Ribavirin Bioavailability
Tig


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RE: Ribavirin Bioavailability
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I made a call to a specialty pharmacy yesterday because I was still concerned about the differences in stated bioavailability of Ribavirin. I explained my concerns and sources to the pharmacist, who was very interested in them. She hadn't been asked specifically about the Riba's bioavailability by a patient before and was pleased that our group here was sharing these concerns among each other and then bringing those questions to our medical team. She said that these actions are responsible for the improvements in treatment and ultimately for the success of our pharmaceutical plan. So, after that bit a good news she went on to answer the bioavailability question. Her experience with Ribavirin and the other brands being manufactured have been shown by the manufacturers to have essentially the same bioavailability percentages whether it was taken with or without food. She felt that taking it with at least a snack, whatever that might be is a good idea. But it won't hurt you or the overall absorption of the drug if you have to take it on an empty stomach. She said that the absolute most important issue concerning Riba was to take every dose and to take it on the proper schedule. So it sounds to me like we're all doing a pretty good job! Congratulations and thanks to each of you!! SVR is coming people, keep your eye on that prize. WOOT!!!!!

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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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Tig


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Thank you for the replies! I felt it important to bring it to your attention because of the possible increase in the efficacy of the medication. If there is anything that might improve our chances of success, I want to share it!



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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Zlikster


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i was taking Riba with a small spoon of domestic organic olive oil mixed with few drops of domestic lemon juice. First months of tx. Then i moved to omega3 pill with Riba, since i couldn't have olive oil/lemon with myself all the time also i was taking it with food (mid of meal)

lots of people that finished tx and went SVR here told me about olive oil+lemon+Riba, apparently some minuscule raise in percentage of better absorption and that it helps to treat nausea.

best



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GT 3 dg. 08-2012 / FibroScan: 5 kPa F1 / FibroTest: F0-1 A1 / SoC TX: PegInt 120mcg+Riba 1000mg UND from w8 relapse EOT+4w
01-2016 Sof+Dac+Riba UND from w8, SVR24!
Biggyb


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Never knew that about Ribavirin, here's what is said about Victrelis.

Effects of Food on Oral Absorption
 
VICTRELIS should be administered with food. Food enhanced the exposure of boceprevir by up to 65% at the 800 mg three times daily dose, relative to the fasting state.

The bioavailability of boceprevir was similar regardless of meal type (e.g., high-fat vs. low-fat) or whether taken 5 minutes prior to eating, during a meal, or immediately following completion of the meal.

Therefore, VICTRELIS may be taken without regard to either meal type or timing of the meal.



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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~
Cinnamon Girl


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Hi Tig, there have been studies done on this subject, but the advice given by Roche in the ribavirin dosing info is simply to take it with food, as that was the protocol laid down in the pivotal trials.  I doubt whether making a point of including fat content would make any difference to your chances of SVR, otherwise it would be stated in the dosing instructions. 

Personally speaking, I just took my riba `with food` as I was instructed to do, and it certainly didn`t slow down my response to treatment or SVR.  The most important thing is to comply with taking the right dosage of pills every day, and at the right time.

The only treatment pills that must always be taken with (20g) fat, are incivek, as you rightly mentioned.

Note this quote from the article...`There are insufficient data to address the clinical relevance of these results.`



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Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Tig


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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribavirin

I just saw this bit of information on the bioavailability of Ribavirin when taken without food and with a fatty meal. I haven't read this before and wondered if the Guru's might know if this information is valid? It certainly could be and as many of us on triple therapy already know, we have to take the Protease drug with food (fatty with Incivek) to make them better absorbed (bioavailable). In this article it says that Ribavirin taken without food is only 45% bioavailable and taken with a fatty food increases that bioavailability to 76%!! If true this would completely change the way I take this medication. That is a huge increase and should be pointed out if true. That could make the difference of achieving SVR or not... I guess it's time to call the Pharmacist!

One additional reference: http://www.druglib.com/druginfo/ribavirin/description_pharmacology/



-- Edited by Tig56 on Wednesday 7th of August 2013 04:52:04 AM

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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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