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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Abbvie's Viekira Pak
Post Info TOPIC: Abbvie's Viekira Pak
Tess


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RE: Abbvie's Viekira Pak
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Thanks Matt.  Just a few months ago there were no good options on the market and now there are 2 great treatments available.  Keep 'em coming! 



__________________

HCV Gen 1a diagnosed 2001; Labs 11/13/14: VL 1.2 million IU/mL, ast 88, alt 111. Harvoni TX 12 weeks.  EOT - 2/18/15, VL UND & normal ast/alt.

4 wks after EOT, VL = UND; normal AST/ALT at 4, 8 and 14 weeks after EOT.  15 weeks after EOT = Undetectable!
Matt Chris


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Hi Tess

Because PL is a GT1b and that is Viekira strong suit for treatment, I beleive it has a higher or just as high of SVR percentage as Harvoni. The 2nd reason is the using Harvoni as a second treatment option is it has as its main drug "Sofosbuvir" which is a Nuke NS5B polymerase which is not being used by ABBVies combo. 

I also would like to menioned that when I visited Dr. Lawitz in the TLI he said that the ABBvie NS5A drug (ABT267 /Ombitasvir was better than the Gilead's NS5A Ledipasvir in its chemistry.

matt



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"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

61 year old Geno type A1, F4 Cirrhotic, started 24 weeks on Harvoni 12-17-14 ,EOT-5 week = UND, 8-31-15 =UND , SVR-24 Baby YES! 
pl1952


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I would rather have taken Harvoni since that was what I was waiting for -- my doctor said the denials have been fast and furious lately -- I just met with him last week.  He's upset about it and he said its happening more than ever.  He's a prominent hepatologist in NYC and if he's having problems getting scripts through, I don't know.....I've been waiting to treat it seems forever.  I'll take either treatment, but since he mentioned Abbvie I thought it might be time to do some research on it and make a decision.  



-- Edited by pl1952 on Friday 2nd of January 2015 02:58:19 AM

__________________

Me: 62 yr. old female, GT 1b, fibroscan 4.5; VL 650,975 as of 2/4/14;started Harvoni 3/6/15; SVR


Hubby: 59 yrs.; GT1b; fibroscan 25-cirrhotic; S/O for 12 weeks started tx 3/20/14; SVR56; fibroscan done 7-7-15 = 8.5
Tess


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If you have a choice, it might be best to research both options and decide which one you'd rather use. Then if you would rather use Harvoni it could be worth applying for it to see what happens.   Some of us have been approved lately without having to go through the denial/appeal process.  I wonder if it has become more accessible in just the past 6 weeks or so. 

Matt, I just saw the addition to your post where you recommend keeping Harvoni as a backup. Is it because you think it will be denied, or because it is a better choice for a 2nd treatment if the Viekira pack fails?

Thanks

- Tess



__________________

HCV Gen 1a diagnosed 2001; Labs 11/13/14: VL 1.2 million IU/mL, ast 88, alt 111. Harvoni TX 12 weeks.  EOT - 2/18/15, VL UND & normal ast/alt.

4 wks after EOT, VL = UND; normal AST/ALT at 4, 8 and 14 weeks after EOT.  15 weeks after EOT = Undetectable!
pl1952


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Thanks for responding Matt, and that's good insight about using Harvoni as the backup.



__________________

Me: 62 yr. old female, GT 1b, fibroscan 4.5; VL 650,975 as of 2/4/14;started Harvoni 3/6/15; SVR


Hubby: 59 yrs.; GT1b; fibroscan 25-cirrhotic; S/O for 12 weeks started tx 3/20/14; SVR56; fibroscan done 7-7-15 = 8.5
Matt Chris


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Hey PL

As we talked about before the ABBVie protocol is as easy to handle as the Harvoni. The best part of your scenario is that you are a GT1b and that is what the Viekira pack does the best.

If you really want the Harvoni you will have to go through the denial process and appeal like I did and then you will get it one way or another. But I would ask  your doctor for 12 weeks if you go that route.

Its unlikely that you will fail treatment with your pre-treatment assay, but the other consideration that you probably thought about is if you fail one of the treatments which would be better for a 2nd treatment? That is a question that would be hard to answer because its depends on if your develop Rav's or not at the NS5A address. IMO I would do the Viekira pack first then use Harvoni as my back up. But its your decision to make and the insight of your doctor with your health record. 

matt   



__________________

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

61 year old Geno type A1, F4 Cirrhotic, started 24 weeks on Harvoni 12-17-14 ,EOT-5 week = UND, 8-31-15 =UND , SVR-24 Baby YES! 
pl1952


Senior Member

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Posts: 236
Date:
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Hey guys, I've been forewarned that I'm in for a battle to get approved for Harvoni for 8 weeks.  Mr. Dr. suggested Abbvie's Viekira Pak, which I would take for 12 weeks, no ribavirin.  He said its 99% effective for gt 1b's.  At first I was disappointed because I had been waiting a long time for Harvoni, knew nothing about Viekira Pak and the thought of a battle with my insurance company didn't have me jumping for joy.  There's not much I can find about the "real life" experiences online with this protocol and I know there are a few of you here that have been on this trial and said great things about it.  I was wondering if all those who tried this, have any reached SVR12, how were your symptoms, anything you can tell me I'd appreciate it immensely.  Thanks and Happy New Year!



__________________

Me: 62 yr. old female, GT 1b, fibroscan 4.5; VL 650,975 as of 2/4/14;started Harvoni 3/6/15; SVR


Hubby: 59 yrs.; GT1b; fibroscan 25-cirrhotic; S/O for 12 weeks started tx 3/20/14; SVR56; fibroscan done 7-7-15 = 8.5
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