TOPIC: Starting Epclusa 4/11/19

I have had Hepatitis C Genotype 4, for over 30 years. I have my first 28 day supply of Epclusa. Will be starting it on my day off work this Thursday.
Pretty scared, but excited.

Hi Lisa, welcome to the forum, and congratulations on getting your first 28 pills of Epclusa medication. I hope that definite plans are in place for getting the remaining 56 pills since all 84 pills are needed to reach cure. Having Hep C for 30 years is an awful long time, but the good news is that your cure chances are not affected by how long you've had it, Epclusa is a really excellent medication with a cure rate of about 95% and a very mild side effects proifile, so you should be very optimistic about finally getting rid of this terrible disease.

Here are a few recommendations to follow during treatment :

1. Drink plenty of water as it really helps eliminate/minimize any potential side effects.
2. Take your medication at the same time every day just before or with food, as it helps with the medication absorption.
3. Try to get enough rest and eat healthy (plenty of fruits and vegetables).
4. Be careful not to take any medications that may interact with your Hep C medications. For instance, don't take antacid medications with Epclusa. This webpage will tell you about any possible medication interactions www.hep-druginteractions.org/checker

Additionally, the 'During Treatment' section of the FAQs page fixhepc.com/frequently-asked-questions.html has some more detailed information.

Best of luck to you

Hello LisaOregon,

Welcome.

These new medications tend have very few side effects so with any luck it will be smooth sailing.

There is lots of support here from people who have walked, or are walking in your shoes

Thank you for the info.
I was told that a 28 day supply of Epclusa costs $4,369.87.
During the 12 week treatment, my Regence insurance is paying for $2,320.
I received a grant for $7200, and was told to reapply for the remainder when I have exhausted the $7200.
Hopefully I will be able to get a grant for the last 28 day supply.
I am so thankful for all the help and support.

Hi Dr James
Thank you.
I think my main concern is that I take one 60 mg Propranolol Extended Release per day. I have heard that it isn't good to take Beta Blockers while taking Epclusa. My Dr and pharmacist says that we will monitor my blood pressure. Still concerned.

Hi Lisa, Dr James should reassure you, but you shouldn't worry about taking Propranolol with Epclusa according to this excellent resource from the University of Liverpool www.hep-druginteractions.org/checker . It lists any potential interactions for Hepatitis C medications, and as you can see below, it's OK to take Propranolol with Epclusa.

Hi LisaOregon,

Welcome! Scared but excited are pretty common feelings at the start of the treatment. I also had Hep C for over 30 years and felt exactly the same. You've done the hard bit in getting started and now it's a matter of taking the medication and being a bit kind to yourself while it does it's magic.

Good luck and let us know how you are travelling.

Hi Lisa Oregon,

With 3 x $4,369.87 being $13,109.61 and taking off the insurance at $2,320 there is $10,789.61 left and taking off the grant there is $3,289.61 left, so you will need that to get hold of the last bottle.

The maths look like

$2,320 + $7,200 = $9,530

After you pay for the first 2 bottles @$4,369.87 you will have spent $8,739.74 leaving $790.26 in the kitty from the combined insurance and grant payment.

It's really important that the first 8 weeks are immediately followed by another 4 weeks without a break so, my recommendation would be, that, as soon as you start the 2nd bottle (or to be frank right now) you apply for the grant for the missing $3,289.61. The maths say you need it, but worst comes to worst that would leave enough time to get a bottle of our generic Epclusa to you before you get to the end of the 2nd bottle.

We provide patients with the full 12 weeks of generic Epclusa for $1500 so, worst comes to worst, we could always get the last bottle to you for $500 leaving $290.26 left over - just enough to cover the cost of the PCR to prove cure.

I really can't over-emphasise how important it is to do the full 12 weeks without a break so the sooner you get that approved the sooner we can relax.