Hydroxyurea vs peginterferon side effect impact

Posted by platlite7 @platlite7, Jul 7 4:54pm

I have been on Hu since 2/24. My Dr is promoting peg- interferon. The negative side effects of peg seem to out way those of hydroxyurea. Anyone have feedback about this concern

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eileen11108 | @eileen11108 | Jul 8 7:05am

Just research Pegasys on this website. Yo will find lots of information and opinions.
Best wishes on the journey. Eileen

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 15 11:04am

I'm tagging @nohrt4me @lourdene @treeore @mortysdad @starchild who have experience with Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a) and hydroxyurea.

You might also wish to check out this related discussion:
= New to Pegasys for ET - advice please!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-pegasus-advice-please/
@platlite7, what treatment option did you choose and why?

lourdene | @lourdene | Jul 15 11:32am

I have been on Pegasys since December 2022. I started taking 45 mcg weekly and I just moved to 45 every other week. My platelets came down into the normal range within a couple of months. I have not experienced any side effects so far. I am very happy with the way this drug has worked for me.

mortysdad | @mortysdad | Jul 15 3:27pm

Yes, I have been on Peg since Nov 2022 and started at 45mcg/ wk and moved to 62 which is where I have been for almost a year now. The side effects are very manageable for me. Fatigue, which I think we all experience with ET anyway is my biggest complaint. My platelets have slowly come down from 900+ to just under 400. The increased dosage is due to my additional ASXL1 mutation along with Jak 2. They are trying to interrupt progression of possible. Best of luck and hope this helps.

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