Following the Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) announcement today that Besremi has now been passed to be used in the UK for Essential thrombocythemia (ET), Polycythaemia vera (PV) and MF ( which is fantastic news and congratulations to those who have been working behind the scenes to achieve this) could someone give us some more information on it? I know it is a short term replacement for those who can’t get Pegasys but I would really like to know - is it an immunotherapy and what are the side effects? Will it be like starting again with our bodies getting used to a new medication or is it so similar to Pegasys that we won’t feel any different?
Hi @Gillyj I will pass your question to the Blood Cancer UK nurses @BloodCancerUK_Nurses for you, yes, as always I reckon a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes
I’m actually doing really well on pegasys, barely any tiredness, platelets normal, which is why I’m quite worried about changing my treatment ( if this happens with the shortage of pegasys)
I’m glad to hear you’re doing well and completely understand the worry it must cause changing treatment.
Hopefully the team will be able to answer your questions and give more info x
Good Morning @Gillyj,
Thank you for getting in contact, It is such great news that Besremi is now available as a suitable temporary replacement for Pegasys. Some of your questions will need to be directed to your treating team if and when they want to make the change for you.
I have however found the link to Besremi on the EMC website if you wanted to look at the side effects in detail. these can be found under ‘Clinical Particulars’ and ‘Undesirable effects’, but please be mindful they have to list everything so perhaps focusing on the ‘common’ ones would be best. Besremi 250 micrograms/0.5 mL solution for injection in pre-filled pen - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc)
You are also very welcome to call us if you would like to talk in more detail about this, our number is 0808 2080 888.