Besremi and Afib

[dgar]

I never had Afib before but as my Besremi dosage has recently been increased, it seems like I am more fatigued and my watch is telling me I have a high percentage of Afib incidents. Going to a cardiologist to check but I do understand that Besremi can contribute to afib. Anyone have any experience with this?

[hunter5582]

You are correct that Besremi can cause arrythmias. I do have tachycardia which predates starting on Besremi. I had to have a catheter ablation to treat this issue. The Besremi has not had any impact on cardiac function for me, but I am on a low dose - 150mcg.

It is reasonable to be suspicious of a medication adverse effect given the timing. It definitely needs follow up with both a cardiologist/electrophysiologist and the MPN Specialist.

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

[Elizka]

Hello, I developed AFIB in December of last year. I stopped Besremi for two weeks, but UC Davis Health cardio docs believed the instance of AFIB with Besremi in the study was less than 1%. They attributed my afib to age and that I'm female. I had no other risk factors. I also had a catheter ablation to treat it and do not take any heart meds now and resumed Besremi at 150 mcg after the two week hiatus.

[PhysAssist in reply to Elizka]

Smart Docs:

Cardiovascular system

During ropeginterferon alfa-2b therapy, three cases of atrial fibrillation (1.1%; incidence rate: 0.3 events/100 patients per year) with intensity grade 1 to 3 occurred in two patients. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b treatment was continued, and the patients received appropriate medicinal products to treat these events. Patients recovered from the two events; one event was ongoing at the time of assessment.

From here: ema.europa.eu/en/documents/...

on page 10.

[dgar in reply to PhysAssist]

Thank you for your response and support on my question.

[Dane12]

Hi,After 1 year on Besremi, I developed a cardiac arrhythmia (Premature ventricular contractions). Before starting the treatment with Besremi, I did a general health evaluation to have a reference for any future side effects, including cardiac. And, at that time, I didn't have any problems.

All the cardiologists I consulted couldn't be sure what is the cause if this arrhythmia. They mentioned that the interferon can be a cause, but they couldn't be sure.

Now I am under treatment with a beta-bloqant.

[dgar in reply to Dane12]

Thank you for that, Dane. I have a similar experience.

[PhysAssist]

Hi dgar,

May one ask what your current dosage is?

I'm on 500 mcg every 2 weeks, and so far no real side-effects have occurred.

[dgar in reply to PhysAssist]

Hello Physassist

I am on 450 mcg ever two weeks. Good to hear you are not having side effects. Fatigued, itching, irritability and impatience and fatigue seem to be noticeable for me.

Thanks for your response and support!

Dan

[PhysAssist in reply to dgar]

Hi dgar,

De nada and thanks for your response!

I sometimes wonder if my lack of side-effects has something to do with taking my daily [long-acting] anti-inflammatory medicine.

I have been taking Nabumetone for at least [and probably more than] a decade to treat multiple arthritic joints.

As I may have related before, I only once had the flu-like symptoms that have been such a frequent side-effect that others reported, which occurred on the day after my first injection after a dosage increase, and coincidentally, SWMBO remembered that I had forgotten to take my NSAID that day.

Best,

PA

[dgar in reply to PhysAssist]

Thanks. Will look into your recommendation!