New version of "Pegasys" - have you noticed any changes in your response or side effects?

[JaK2ET]

In recent months my supplies of PEG-Interferon ("Pegasys") have changed from those made by Roche to what I presume is a version made under licence by a company called zr pharma& GmbH of Vienna, Austria. A previous post here on MPN Voice had already drawn attention to this change.

I would be interested to hear from other members who have been using the new version if you have noticed any changes in your response or side effects.

Roughly coinciding with my use of the new version, I think I have become aware of a more than unusually unpleasant urine odour and sometimes the same unpleasant odour about myself even when nowhere near the loo! This effect seems to be most noticeable in the first few days following the injection (I have one 90 microgram dose every two weeks).

Apologies for a rather unsavoury subject ... but any comments welcome!

[hunter5582]

I am not in that situation as I switched from Pegasys to Besremi. I experienced no change in side effects.

I would suggest contacting your MPN care team about this issue ASAP. Pegasys can affect kidney function. A significant change in urine odor could reflect some kind of renal issue. This is not something to ignore. It may be just something minor, but better safe than sorry.

No apologies needed about bringing up any issue related to how medications can affect us. That is what we are all here for.

Hope you get answers soon. Please do let us know how you get on and and what you learn.

[gilded]

Hi! My problem with the “new” Pegasys is that I find it very difficult to remove all the bits and pieces , which are very stiff.. On one occasion the needle refused to emerge from the needle cover.

[MAP44]

I became itchier now, especially in the first 36 hours after dosing 90 / week. 😬

It is now a harder time wrestling with this

damn Jak2 gene. 🤼‍♂️