Dr says not to take my vitmains while doing treatment. Really?
Cinnamon Girl said
Jun 11, 2015
Hi again X, that`s really great news, congrats to you!
Good to hear your side effects are minimal and it sounds like you`ve got into a good routine with your regular naps!
Half way through now, you`ll just cruise along to the finishing line!
xwindowuser said
Jun 11, 2015
today is week #4, no real side effects at all, a little tired maybe but I take a quick nap and get back to work.
Last week at week 3 was undetected. 8 more weeks to go.
Really Stoked!
Tig said
May 25, 2015
The list of possible VPak drug interactions on this link is more comprehensive than even the package insert.
I still recommend speaking with your doctor, the Viekira Pak help line and your pharmacist regarding absolutely anything else you take. Some medications should be stopped before treatment even begins and before resuming them post treatment. You should let the professionals decide what's best. There's a lot to know and a lot more left to be learned about all of these new protocols.
kickingit said
May 25, 2015
It's probably due to the risk of interactions with the vitamins.
I'm not a medical professional, but the way I understand it, Ritonavir, which is one of the drugs in Viekira Pak acts as an amplifier to the others. Basically it changes the way your liver metabolizes a lot of things.
If you read the package insert you'll see the insanely long list of drugs that cause interactions.
This includes folic acid, a common ingredient in vitamins.
Also, I was told to not eat any grapefruit, or drink any grapefruit juice, because apparently it contains a substance that blocks the enzymes that break down certain drugs, causing elevated and potentially dangerous levels.
I wasn't told to go off my vitamins, but I will, since it hardly seems worth the risk.
-- Edited by kickingit on Monday 25th of May 2015 05:36:17 AM
Cinnamon Girl said
May 14, 2015
Hi there X, welcome from me too,
Yes that is the usual advice, to stop taking all supplements while on tx, as the others have said. Some people do continue with a good quality multi vitamin if their doctor agrees, but certainly no herbal products. Any supplement containing iron is not recommended for anyone with Hep C unless their levels have been tested and found to be low, as it can accumulate in the liver.
Best of luck with your treatment, we`ll be here to follow your progress!
D said
May 14, 2015
Thank you Tig!
Tig said
May 14, 2015
Debbie,
Once you are done with treatment and have waited until you reach SVR, the use of supplements shouldn't be a problem. Supplements can alter blood tests, so best to wait until all of your testing has been completed. If you have a specific concern, it's a good idea to ask your doctor. I'm sure you will hear other impressions and recommendations as well. Hope this helps!
Tig said
May 14, 2015
Hello X,
I agree that while on treatment, the use of supplements isn't recommended. Why they don't want you to take a OTC multi vitamin (iron free) is a question they should answer for you. Many of us here took a multi vitamin during treatment but absolutely no additional supplementation. Bubble is right, it's time to let the Viekira Pak and Ribavirin do their magic. Very often supplements can interfere with the action of these drugs and we know already that they can alter the lab test values. So it's best to listen to your doctor and put them away during treatment.
I want to welcome you to our forum! You have found a great group of caring, knowledgeable people. Please feel free to share any history with us. Things like your most recent ALT/AST, genotype and viral load help us provide better informed opinions and replies. There is a lot of information available using our search function and I recommend reviewing our Forum Information section as well. I'm glad you're here!
D said
May 14, 2015
I stopped all supplements prior to and during Harvoni treatment as per my doctor's instructions for fear that there might be some unfavorable interactions that could take place. I was just fine during treatment without them, but felt eager to get back to them once treatment was completed.
My question to the group is would it be better to wait awhile after completing treatment to resume taking regular supplements? I am just thinking about what you mentioned Bubble about giving my liver a break and letting it work at it's max.
bubble said
May 14, 2015
X: I have always been an endorser of supplements. And they do give you more spunk. But it's time to let your liver work on it's own. I stopped all together. Their not cheap and I see them every morning neat to my Vikera and refuse to take them. The virus took a long time in my body to surface and it's not going to go away overnight. Confusing your Liver with extra vitamins and herbs will only mix in and ruin it's ability to work at it's max. In my opinion, stop every thing toxic or otherwise. Then you will see the true you. Lot's of water and a good diet are all you need now. Good Luck.
xwindowuser said
May 14, 2015
Hi Folks, I'll be starting my treatment tomorrow of Viekira Pak and Ribaviron. My doctors says and the rep says also to stop taking my over the counter supplements.
Hi again X, that`s really great news, congrats to you!
Good to hear your side effects are minimal and it sounds like you`ve got into a good routine with your regular naps!
Half way through now, you`ll just cruise along to the finishing line!
Last week at week 3 was undetected. 8 more weeks to go.
Really Stoked!
The list of possible VPak drug interactions on this link is more comprehensive than even the package insert.
http://www.drugs.com/cons/viekira-pak.html
I still recommend speaking with your doctor, the Viekira Pak help line and your pharmacist regarding absolutely anything else you take. Some medications should be stopped before treatment even begins and before resuming them post treatment. You should let the professionals decide what's best. There's a lot to know and a lot more left to be learned about all of these new protocols.
It's probably due to the risk of interactions with the vitamins.
I'm not a medical professional, but the way I understand it, Ritonavir, which is one of the drugs in Viekira Pak acts as an amplifier to the others.
Basically it changes the way your liver metabolizes a lot of things.
If you read the package insert you'll see the insanely long list of drugs that cause interactions.
This includes folic acid, a common ingredient in vitamins.
Also, I was told to not eat any grapefruit, or drink any grapefruit juice, because apparently it contains a substance that blocks the enzymes that break down certain drugs, causing elevated and potentially dangerous levels.
I wasn't told to go off my vitamins, but I will, since it hardly seems worth the risk.
-- Edited by kickingit on Monday 25th of May 2015 05:36:17 AM
Hi there X, welcome from me too,
Yes that is the usual advice, to stop taking all supplements while on tx, as the others have said. Some people do continue with a good quality multi vitamin if their doctor agrees, but certainly no herbal products. Any supplement containing iron is not recommended for anyone with Hep C unless their levels have been tested and found to be low, as it can accumulate in the liver.
Best of luck with your treatment, we`ll be here to follow your progress!
Thank you Tig!
Debbie,
Once you are done with treatment and have waited until you reach SVR, the use of supplements shouldn't be a problem. Supplements can alter blood tests, so best to wait until all of your testing has been completed. If you have a specific concern, it's a good idea to ask your doctor. I'm sure you will hear other impressions and recommendations as well. Hope this helps!
Hello X,
I agree that while on treatment, the use of supplements isn't recommended. Why they don't want you to take a OTC multi vitamin (iron free) is a question they should answer for you. Many of us here took a multi vitamin during treatment but absolutely no additional supplementation. Bubble is right, it's time to let the Viekira Pak and Ribavirin do their magic. Very often supplements can interfere with the action of these drugs and we know already that they can alter the lab test values. So it's best to listen to your doctor and put them away during treatment.
I want to welcome you to our forum! You have found a great group of caring, knowledgeable people. Please feel free to share any history with us. Things like your most recent ALT/AST, genotype and viral load help us provide better informed opinions and replies. There is a lot of information available using our search function and I recommend reviewing our Forum Information section as well. I'm glad you're here!
I stopped all supplements prior to and during Harvoni treatment as per my doctor's instructions for fear that there might be some unfavorable interactions that could take place. I was just fine during treatment without them, but felt eager to get back to them once treatment was completed.
My question to the group is would it be better to wait awhile after completing treatment to resume taking regular supplements? I am just thinking about what you mentioned Bubble about giving my liver a break and letting it work at it's max.
X: I have always been an endorser of supplements. And they do give you more spunk. But it's time to let your liver work on it's own. I stopped all together. Their not cheap and I see them every morning neat to my Vikera and refuse to take them. The virus took a long time in my body to surface and it's not going to go away overnight. Confusing your Liver with extra vitamins and herbs will only mix in and ruin it's ability to work at it's max. In my opinion, stop every thing toxic or otherwise. Then you will see the true you. Lot's of water and a good diet are all you need now. Good Luck.
Hi Folks, I'll be starting my treatment tomorrow of Viekira Pak and Ribaviron. My doctors says and the rep says also to stop taking my over the counter supplements.
Why? I would think this would help.