I just began taking Epclusa (5 whole days) and I was wondering if anyone had had any experience drinking alcohol while on the treatment. I am not heavy drinker and will have much difficulty not drinking if it's gonna screw things up. I find it curious that the drug makers did not research the issue (did they exclude drinkers from the clinical trials, for example?)
I wouldn't mind the odd weekend glass of wine if it wouldn't interfere with clearing the HCV. Just curious to know if anyone has knowledge and/or experience on the issue...
Anyone drink while taking Epclusa?
Question posted by roosevelts on 5 Jan 2017
Last updated on 25 August 2018
Added 6 Jan 2017:
I didn't see the typo in my original inquiry. I meant to say that it would not be difficult for me not to drink for twelve weeks, but if it wasn't going to screw up the process, I might like a few glasses of wine in the course of those twelve weeks (valentines day, for example).
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5 Answers
Rjcrow
11 April 2018
I'm taking my last pill today. I was told NOT TO DRINK PERIOD as any alcohol intake can drastically slow if not stunt it completely (any positive progress) you might have on Epclusa besides possibly getting very ill. Sucked as all get-out to be sober for 3 months but SOOOOO worth it in the end. If you can find the will power, try to ABSTAIN if at all possible. Make your meds count! It really is worth it in the end. I was treated once before when I was first diagnosed in 98' when the meds were like chemo. I swore I never wanted to be treated again after those meds. After taking Epclusa it was the easiest walk in the park and best decision I ever made.
Stephen Treloar
12 April 2018
The old Ribavirin and interferon was a definite low light for me also. Congratulations on your cure.
Kimpedrick
3 Feb 2018
I don’t have liver damage but I have hep c. Now I’m treating it. Can I have a drink?
TX123
12 Nov 2017
I drank literally 5 to 6 nights a week while on Epclusa. I had a viral load done at 8 weeks and no Hep C found at all. I consider myself blessed in nany, many ways!
Rusty66666
4 Dec 2017
How much did you drink on those nights?
Kimpedrick
3 Feb 2018
I go out on sat ... I don’t have liver damage but I have hep c... I would love a beer. What would happen?
Judithdunford
25 Aug 2018
Wow! I’ve been on Epclusa for two weeks and drink a glass of wine with dinner then yesterday I got really drunk. I’ve been worried to death that it’s going to have effect on the success of my treatment.
Akosha77
11 May 2017
Hi;
My doctor asked me to stop drinking before starting epclusa and I did! Within 2 weeks of taking the medication I felt a lot better! And no sign of the virus! I just took my last pill today and would like a drink but afraid to do so! My fibrosis is mild but I am afraid to take a drink! I've always been told not to drink while in treatment!
Stephen Treloar
5 Jan 2017
They are not contra-indicated if that is what you want to know. I wouldn't chance Liver inflammation during treatment myself however. They don't research drinking as it is impossible to get a real result based on self reporting (alcoholics only ever have just a 'few' drinks in my experience). The result would be statistically meaningless.
You can already guess what I think about drinking and HCV. Others will, no doubt, share that opinion with you.
Good luck on your impending cure (Gileads Eplclusa claims ~100% cure rate). :-)
PS. as an old alcoholic, if you have trouble not drinking, you are one. Quantity is not the issue; psychological and physical dependence is.
roosevelts
6 Jan 2017
It was a typo. I meant to say have no difficulty. I was curious. No worries.
Stephen Treloar
6 Jan 2017
Thank you for the clarification; one typo and it changes the whole tone of a response. :-(
Given that you are looking at a 100% cure, I can't see how a glass of wine would hurt you. I'd still be cautious about acetaminophen however.
Take care.
roosevelts
6 Jan 2017
Thanks. What a difference a word makes! Lol
roosevelts
30 Jan 2017
I got my 4 week blood test results. My viral load has gone from 355000 to <15. Looks like I am on my way! Zero side effects as well. Maybe Epclusa is less brutal than Harvoni for some reason. or I may just be lucky. I sailed through chemo for head and neck cancer as well, and had no discomfort prepping for colonoscopy. Stuff like that tends not to bother me. We'll see where I am in 4 more weeks!
Stephen Treloar
31 Jan 2017
I'd almost be celebrating already except that you had a virtual guarantee to start with. :-) Maybe Epclusa is a little less harsh than Harvoni? My main side effect was loss of appetite and almost total amnesia so I can only remember about two weeks of treatment. I was taking Ribavirin also however.
roosevelts
31 Jan 2017
i'll still choose to celebrate. we both are virtually certain to be alive tomorrow. doesn't any less of a mracle
roosevelts
28 Feb 2017
at weeks, my hcv rna results are negative. yay! 4 more weeks of epclusa, then the waiting game for svr, which I have every reason to anticipate. zero side effects. bam!!!
Ermis
3 March 2017
How long had you been sober before treatment, if applies? And did you drink at all during treatment? Your answer to the question was great I just want to know when you were going through the horrible side effects what kept you from using? AA? Other?
roosevelts
3 March 2017
I'm not an alcoholic. There was a typo in my first question. I just wondered if a couple drinks in the 12 weeks would matter. Apparently not at least in my case, as the virus appears to be gone. The gold standard os to be vorus free 24 weeks (I believe) post treatment. I've still got 3 weeks to go on treatment. I misread 4 weeks result. It was already negative. I appear to be well on my way to a cure
Ermis
3 March 2017
Please know I am asking this question for myself only and am not implying that others may or may not be an alcoholic... I am as you stated you were so I was looking for advice for that, and answers that could help me.
roosevelts
3 March 2017
My experience is that one can have a few drinks over the course of two months without screwing up epclusa treatment. Everyone is different. If you can't have a glass of wine and then not drink for a month, then you shouldn't follow my example. Alcohol and hep c damage the liver on different ways. I was just wondering if even one dri k would be too many. It wasn't in my case. I amnot qualified to advise others
Ermis
4 March 2017
Please know I am asking this question for myself only and am not implying that others may or may not be an alcoholic... I am as you stated you were so I was looking for advice for that, and answers that could help me.
Ermis
4 March 2017
I am so sorry for the confusion... reading back over it I see what happened... I was addressing Stephen's answer to your question... I'm new at this, please except my incorrect directional questions.
Stephen Treloar
4 March 2017
I'm a non drinking alcoholic and was expected to die before medication was available but thas does not want me to keep abstaining. I just want more life, 51 years is both too much and not enough simultaneously. More to the point, I want a life; it's my turn.
Ermis
4 March 2017
I hear ya... I'm 50 ! I'm disougusted with what I've done to myself all in the name of "fun". You wouldn't know by my outsides that my insides are rotting away... yet... but I would like to slow the train wreck down so no further damage to my health and every other area of life can progess not regress any further... feel me?
roosevelts
4 March 2017
I feel ya. I'm 58. I'm not an alcoholic and I'm not a needle user. My liver is not wrecked. It is cruelly ironic that I got hep c in the first place! ☹
Stephen Treloar
8 March 2017
That is fantastic to hear, you must be well pleased?
roosevelts
8 March 2017
i am quite pleased. two weeks left!
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Further information
- Epclusa uses and safety info
- Epclusa prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Epclusa (detailed)
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