Pegasys vs Infergen

[robo229]

I will probably need to try treatment again.  Last time was 2005.  Needed  to stop very early before EVR determination because I could not tolerate pulmonary side effects and depression related to Interferon.  

Am pretreating with Lexapro to mitigate depression, but worried about the uncontrollable coughing (to the point of throwing up) and other assorted sides.  

Does Infergen have a better side effect profile?  Is it as efficacious as Pegasys?

Your input is greatly appreciated.

Robo

[simbar24]

I have just completed 6 months of infergen.  Was totally wiped out BUT it worked.  I was on autopilot pretty much during treatment and was able to benefit immensely from 2 rescue drugs - procrit and provigil.  I'm here if you want to hear more about how it was.

[child24angel]

Good luck to you if you decide to do the daily Infergen
From what I've seen , it is brutal, however, some tolerate it ok
and go on to SVR land .

All my best Robo

Hugs
Elaine

[Magnum]

Please do a search and read some of my archived posts of the nightmare I went through while being treated with Infergen. Keep in mind I was being over-dosed. However, the Gastro told me he will not use it anymore on his patients because of the horrendous side effects. Who knows, you may be one of the lucky ones not to suffer from the sides...

Magnum

[robo229]

Thanks,

Riba is a fixture in treatment whereas type on interferon Pegasys or Infergen may be variable.  I found 2 articles of interest on the subject.

this one is scary
http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/124/1/406.full

This one is helpful.
http://www.nature.com/ajg/journal/v97/n9/abs/ajg2002612a.html

Coughing was so bad I think I may have been developing early interstitial lung disease on previous attempt.

Robo

[Kristina538]

I had the awful cough.  Water helped, and it also helped to know that it was related to the meds and not related to me!!  My nurse said it was caused by the ribaviron and, as long as it was 'producing' not to fret about it.  Good luck.

[sunshines76]

I am on infergen now, waiting for my week 12 results (got undetected on week 8)... I've heard a lot that infergen usually has a lot more/or harder side effects than pegasys, but I cannot say it applies to me. I failed pegasys treatment and switched to infergen. I would say that only the first 2 days on infergen were REALLY HARD and PAINFUL, but after that, I guess, my body adjusted and my side effects are pretty much the same as I had on pegasys - fatigue and dizziness, but nothing unmanageable. I am tolerating it pretty well. Drink A LOT of water and rotate injection sites every day. I noticed when I don't drink enough water sides get worse.
Good luck with your treatment, Robo

[jusjames]

i think infergen will be worse, than pegasys, its a much harder regime the daily injections, or are you still having weekly, i havnt heard of infergen taken weekly.