Alternating Pegasys doses weekly ?

[jon1972]

Has anyone here has ever been put on alternating weekly doses of Pegasys? For example, 90mcg one week and 135mcg the next. I know I have seen people talk about it, but I've been unable to locate any relevant threads in my searches. I'm trying to find out the reasoning behind doing this. I have not had the best luck with Pegasys for my PV and watching how my counts react to changing doses over the last few years I'm starting to get the impression that my PV is adapting to dose changes after a month or two. So I'm wondering if this is the reason some hematologists prescribe that way. If anyone has info on this it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Jocko]

Hi,

I have ET and am on 90mgs Peg every other week. I was on 45mgs every week but for the last few months have been taking every other week. It's been fine. My counts are almost too low now at 150.

I can't really comment on PV but for my ET it's been good.

All the best

Jocko

[swimswam]

I have ET, been on Interferon a year, then on Pegasys another year. My platelets haven’t responded and are still nearly 700. I was on 135 mcg. My heam. Wanted to increase it to 180mcg a week, but I was concerned about side effects, in the end we agreed on trying 135mcg one week and 180mcg the next. Don’t know if this had any results yet, but I’m finding the 180mcg tough!

[Susana7]

I have been on different doses (90, then 45) and have adjusted the frequency as counts change (weekly, every 2 weeks, every 3 weeks, back to every 2 weeks now). In the interferon MPN Facebook group, I have heard of people taking different doses on alternative weeks too. You have to find the dose regime and frequency that works for you.

[Tmg59]

Hi,I have PRV Jak2+ and am on daily Aspirin and Peginterferon 45 and 90 dose alternate weeks. I started on weekly 45 which brought my readings down a bit and then consultant increased to 45/90 alternate weeks, I think with a view to increasing to 90 weekly and possibly 135. However my last readings had reduced even further from platelets of 700 down to 434 and haematocrit 41, so decided to leave me on alternate 45/90 for now. My next review is in February so 🤞 they continue to improve. As mentioned previously, you have to find the dose regime that suits you. Good luck.

Best wishes

Tina

[jon1972]

I thought maybe there was some secret strategy to alternating doses, but maybe it's just to avoid the toxicity of going with a higher dose every week? I get my peg in vials and use a diabetic syringe so I don't have to go in 45mcg increments. I'm actually taking 144mcg weekly right now. Problem is my counts just keep going back up after 1-2 months following a dose change, but it seems like it initially helps. This is what led me to the question about alternating. I appreciate the replies, and if anyone has a different take on this I'd appreciate your feedback as well.