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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> Could Harvoni contain a stimulant?
Post Info TOPIC: Could Harvoni contain a stimulant?
Mohammed


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RE: Could Harvoni contain a stimulant?
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Thanks  a lot  Tig



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Tig


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Hi Mohammed,

Your report is as I mentioned. Your viral load is <12 and unquantifiable (too low to even count) but is still detected, barely. That's fantastic and I'm confident you will be undetected on your next test. Keep drinking lots of water and pay attention to eating a good, balanced diet. We have a lot of good ideas to do that on the forum. If we can help you with anything, let us know! Good luck! smile



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Tig

67yo 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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Mohammed


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I really appreciate you all for your comments . please see my detailed report . the last PCR  was 325000 in November 2015

 

 

 

Hepatitis C Virus by PCR (quantitative)

 

 

Test Result Unit Ref. Range

 

 

 

By Real-Time PCR Detected <12 IU/mL Not Detected

 

 

 

This test is intended for use along with clinical presentation and other laboratory findings in the management of patients with chronic HCV infection, also used

 

to predict the probability of sustained virologic response (SVR) early during a course of antiviral therapy, and to assess viral response to antiviral treatment

 

(response guided therapy) as measured by changes of HCV RNA levels in serum or EDTA plasma

 

Methodology Brief:-

 

Quantification of HCV RNA in serum or plasma using CEAbbott RealTime HCV assay utilizes RT-PCR technology combinedwith homogeneous real time

 

fluorescent detection for the detection of HCV RNA. The selection of a conserved region of the HCV genome provides for the detection of genotypes 1-6. The

 

assay is standardized against the Second WHO International Standard for Hepatitis C Virus RNA (NIBSC Code 96/798)and results are reported in International

 

Units/mL (IU/mL).

 

This test was developed and its performance characteristics have been determined by Al Borg Medical laboratories Jeddah Saudi Arabia. It has not been

 

cleared or approved by the FDA. Al Borg Medical Laboratories are regulated under CLIA guidelines (CAP# 7197774) as qualified to perform high complexity

 

testing. This test is used for clinical purposes. It should not be regarded as investigational or for research.

 

Limitation

 

1- The limit of detection (LOD) at 95% confidence: 12 IU/mL.

 

2- The limit of Quantification (LOQ) of the assay ranges from 12 IU/mLto 100 million IU/mL.

 

3- Detected <12 IU/mL means that the assay detects the viral RNA but is unable to quantify the number of copies accurately.

 

4- Rare mutations within the highly conserved regions of the viral genome covered by the testsprimers and/or probes may result in failure to detect the virus.

 

5- Detection and quantification of HCV RNA is dependent on the number of virus particles present in the specimen and may beaffected by specimen collection

 

methods, patient factors (e.g. age, presence of symptoms) and/or stage ofinfection.

 

6- A specimen with a result of not detected cannot be presumed to be negative for HCV RNA.

 

Recommendations:-

 

Al Borg Medical Laboratories also offers HCV Genotyping and IL-28B polymorphisms tests which can help in predi

 

 



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Tig


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Your post does say the lab report said <12 Detected. Are you sure? Take another look and let us know. Many of the new tests have a LLOQ (lowest level of quantification) of 12. So they can't count viral particles any lower than that, but can determine there are a few stragglers remaining. Not a big deal this early in treatment! As Jimmy stated, you are likely undetected by now, so I wouldn't worry about it at all. 



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Tig

67yo 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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JimmyK


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Ho Mohamed,

Also please keep in mind, <12 is UND. If your were 12 at last blood draw you are now likely UND. Hang in there and no worries, unless you are a Dragon of course.  ;)

 

JimmyK



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Harvoni TX 2 12 weeks. UND weeks 4, 12 and now EOT + 4 Weeks. SVR-12 09/29/16. All Glory, Honor and Thanks be to God.

"I go to war with the brothers I trust."
Tig


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I agree Mohammed, a viral reduction that low is excellent! Many people don't clear completely until the end of treatment. The huge reduction this early into care, is a good indication of the effectiveness your treatment drugs are having on the virus. You should be encouraged by these results!



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Tig

67yo 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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Gracie


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Yes Mohammad, there are some who dont clear at week 4 but go on to clear. And 12 is pretty insignificant as far as viral load goes. The only test that matters is the 12 weeks past. Keep going your doing awesome!



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  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
Mohammed


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I have completed 4 week on Harvoni . I made the PCR and the result was detected 12 I need your help to tell me is the result OK so far

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Jaded


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Tig56 wrote:

I've been looking for something, anything, that might indicate a stimulant component and have found nothing. There are many, many Methyl group references and how they are an Alkyl based substance that is somehow compounded into many things. There seems to be no similarities I can find, that would show any relationship between the Methamphetamine family of drugs and Harvoni. I think the energy increase being noticed by so many is just a metabolic response to the introduction of a very powerful antiviral medication. That's my totally non scientific guess. I think they would be in some very serious trouble if they were introducing a stimulant to someone without proper authorization and identification. Call a compound pharmacist and see if they might be able to explain it better. 

 Thanks for your reply Tig. I do know for example that methamphetamine has been used medicinally to treat ADHD and obesity. This is due to the fact that Methamphetamine's effects lead to increased energy and alertness as well as loss of appetite. This drug has been FDA approved.

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Structural_Biochemistry/Methamphetamine

 

I believe these Harvoni components are not methamphetamines..but I wonder if there are any relationship to components that have the letters "meth" to stimulants. Some...not all...of the side-effects and withdrawal symptoms seem to be similar to Harvoni for many people.

Rare

  • Agitation
  • delusions
  • hallucinations

Incidence not known

  • Blurred vision
  • chest discomfort or pain
  • dark-colored urine
  • difficulty breathing
  • dizziness
  • faintness
  • false or unusual sense of wellbeing
  • fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • fever
  • headache
  • muscle cramps or spasms
  • muscle pain or stiffness
  • pounding in the ears
  • restlessness
  • shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
  • swelling of the feet or lower legs
  • trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
  • trouble sleeping
  • twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
  • uncontrolled vocal outbursts and tics
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Some of the side effects that can occur with methamphetamine may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

Incidence not known

  • Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
  • change in taste
  • constipation
  • decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • dry mouth
  • hives or welts
  • inability to have or keep an erection
  • indigestion
  • itching
  • loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
  • passing of gas
  • redness of the skin
  • skin rash
  • weight loss

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/methamphetamine-side-effects.html

 

Withdrawal:

Symptoms usually consist of fatigue, depression, increased appetite and anxiety. Effects usually last months.

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Structural_Biochemistry/Methamphetamine

 

 

 

 

 



-- Edited by Jaded on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 06:25:52 AM



-- Edited by Jaded on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 06:28:24 AM

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64 year old EOT 10-28-15,SVR24 April 21 2016  ALT-12/AST-23 June '19 - fibroscan 6.9 F-0 July '19
Tig


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I've been looking for something, anything, that might indicate a stimulant component and have found nothing. There are many, many Methyl group references and how they are an Alkyl based substance that is somehow compounded into many things. There seems to be no similarities I can find, that would show any relationship between the Methamphetamine family of drugs and Harvoni. I think the energy increase being noticed by so many is just a metabolic response to the introduction of a very powerful antiviral medication. That's my totally non scientific guess. I think they would be in some very serious trouble if they were introducing a stimulant to someone without proper authorization and identification. Call a compound pharmacist and see if they might be able to explain it better. 



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Tig

67yo 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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Jaded


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Below is the chemical structure of harvoni. I am wondering if the red coloured ingredients are in any way related to the methamphetamine stimulant. I am trying to understand if what some refer to as the "Harvoni high"...the increase of energy experienced soon after starting tx...might be related to a stimulant nature of the drug and perhaps a crash or withdrawal that some people experience after cessation of it. I realize that this a very technical question that few will be able to answer. Hopefully Mallani will see this but anyone with a chemistry background is welcome to weigh-in on this. 

Ledipasvir

The IUPAC name for ledipasvir is Methyl [(2S)-1-{(6S)-6-[5-(9,9-difluoro-7-{2-[(1R,3S,4S)-2-{(2S)-2-[(methoxycarbonyl)amino]-3-methylbutanoyl}-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-3-yl]-1H-benzimidazol-6-yl}-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-azaspiro[2.4]hept-5-yl}-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]carbamate.

It has a molecular formula of C49H54F2N8O6 and a molecular weight of 889.00.

 

Sofosbuvir

The IUPAC name for sofosbuvir is (S)-Isopropyl 2-((S)-(((2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-(2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)-4-fluoro-3-hydroxy-4-methyltetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methoxy)-(phenoxy)phosphorylamino)propanoate. It has a molecular formula of C22H29FN3O9P and a molecular weight of 529.45.

 

After my 2nd or 3rd day on Harvoni I began to feel greater energy. I couldn't believe it and thought it was the effects of clearing the virus only to have a substantial drop of energy after tx. This seems to happen to some...maybe many. At some point in the day (I am almost now 13 weeks post tx) I begin to fade and have great difficulty feeling awake after my much needed nap. Last night I took a look at chemical structure I posted and began to wonder about the Meth chemicals. I decided to buy some ephedrine and took 8 mg when I woke up and felt better...and this evening when I felt I was beginning to fade a bit a took another 1/2 and was able to avoid a crash. I am wondering if I am experiencing withdrawal from a stimulant. If so it might also explain why some experience an increase of blood pressure...heart palpitations...vertigo...etc???



-- Edited by Jaded on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 05:16:42 AM



-- Edited by Jaded on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 05:17:08 AM



-- Edited by Jaded on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 05:19:16 AM



-- Edited by Jaded on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 05:20:32 AM



-- Edited by Jaded on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 05:59:50 AM

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