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Suggest Treatment For Itchiness After Using Proton Inhibitors

Posted on Tue, 27 Jan 2015

Question: I'm taking Harvoni. There is conflicting information regarding proton inhibitors, acid reducers. My doctor is not a specialist. I have an ulcer and leaky gut. The Harvoni makes me itch. Prilosec and digestive enzymes are the only things that help. Gilead, literature, pharmacy, etc., suggest taking Prilosec and Harvoni at the same time. Can you help. I'm private pay and don't have insurance to explore all the gastro issues. I have 24 weeks of Harvoni, which is a blessing, but I can't get through it with the itch. It's liver itch x 100. Bilirubin blood and urine are normal. No jaundice. I eat raw and organic most of the time. Are you a GI doctor?

Are you experienced with leaky gut, ulcers and HARVONI? Are you a GI?

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Harvoni is not related to leaky gut and sofsobuvir

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,

I understand your query and concern.

Gilead's Harvoni is extremely good drug recently approved by USFDA for the treatment of Ch.Hepatitis C.

Few individuals can develop few allergic reactions to this drug like Itching which is an idiosyncratic reaction not dependant on liver bilirubin.

Leaky Gut and ulcers are not not due to Harvoni(ledipsavir/sofosbuvir) especially after 24 weeks of use.

There is also no interaction with Prisolec.

Prisolec is protective against the ulcers when taken continuously for 21 days.

I strongly recommend you to have an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to evaluate the cause of your ulcers.

Liver seems normal in your case and well under control by Harvoni.

There is no reason to discontinue Harvoni at the moment.

Post your further queries,if any.

Thank you

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari