follow up to my UNUSUAL SYMPTOMS POST

[Grendall]

Hi all,

Just a little further info… apparently I’ve found the symptoms I explained a relief can be a cause of Pancreatitis from taking interferon, therefore has anyone found this to be a factor? Apparently it’s rare but can happen…

[ritaandscooter1]

Glad you got to the bottom of this! Perhaps a break from this drug would help or a different treatment plan? Kerry

[EPguy]

I see it's on the label as you likely found. I never thought about this hazard.

"Pancreatitis, sometimes fatal, has occurred during alpha interferon and ribavirin treatment. PEGASYS/COPEGUS should be suspended if symptoms or signs suggestive of pancreatitis are observed. PEGASYS/COPEGUS should be discontinued in patients diagnosed with pancreatitis". (COPEGUS is ribavarin used for HepC)

Your case suggest it's the IFN rather than the Rivavarin. If it's formal Pancreatitis they suggest discontinuing rather than suspending.

accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatf...

--

For Bes they are quite specific:

" Pancreatitis was reported in 2.2% of patients receiving BESREMi....Consider discontinuation of BESREMi in patients with confirmed pancreatitis"

This is not rare, rather "uncommon" by most usages of the terms. This label's section 5 has 16 adverse outcomes to watch for.

Thyroid issues were 11% in the Bes trials, we do see it often here.

accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatf...

- They offer one way to monitor for pancreatic risk: 5.10 "Elevated triglycerides may result in pancreatitis."

Strangely PEG has a specific section 5 for general autoimmune while Bes does not.

As in another current thread, our Drs may not be up to date on these risks so we need to be self informed and ask.