Real BESREMi Stories
Taking Charge of My Treatment video series
Real people living with polycythemia vera (PV) have shared their experiences about receiving their diagnosis, exploring treatment options, and deciding to start BESREMi. Individual results may vary.
Taking Charge of My Treatment
Meet Tyler
Tyler was a teenager when he started experiencing PV symptoms, and it took almost 10 years to confirm his diagnosis. Switching to BESREMi helped control Tyler’s symptoms and blood counts so he could stay in control of his career as a cancer researcher. He was also able to enjoy golfing, playing softball, and hiking again.
Taking Charge of My Treatment
Meet Cheri
Although Cheri worked in healthcare for many years, receiving a diagnosis of PV was frightening. After learning about BESREMi in support groups, Cheri brought it up with her doctor. With her blood counts now stable, she can focus on what counts: family, friends, and travel.
Taking Charge of My Treatment
Meet Susan
After gathering more information on PV, Susan wanted treatment options other than chemotherapyA treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.. She found a doctor who was aligned with her goals and ready to partner with her in her journey with BESREMi. Watch Susan explain why she would choose BESREMi all over again.
Taking Charge of My Treatment
Meet Kevin
Unsure about the initial diagnosis he received, Kevin took control of his health. His discussions with doctors and hematologists led to a diagnosis of PV and treatment with BESREMi. Watch Kevin share his knowledge to empower others to advocate for themselves.
Taking Charge of My Treatment
Meet Steven
Steven remembers the moment his life changed when getting a diagnosis of PV. Listen to Steven’s experience with initial treatment and why he and his doctor decided that BESREMi, which works at the source of PV in the bone marrow, was the right choice to control his counts.
Taking Charge of My Treatment
Meet Gary
As an avid hiker, Gary noticed symptoms in his feet that eventually led him to a diagnosis of PV. By managing his PV, Gary has paved a way forward and now savors every moment—and every hike.
Using BESREMi Pen video series
Curious about BESREMi Pen? Hear from people who successfully switched to the ready-to-use pen and how it helped simplify their PV experience.
Using BESREMi Pen
Cheri’s Story
Cheri discusses her experience switching to BESREMi Pen and how it makes the injection process less intimidating and more precise. According to Cheri, the single-dose pen is more user-friendly and makes her feel less like a cancer patient.
Using BESREMi Pen
Susan’s Story
Susan shares how switching to BESREMi Pen helped simplify the injection process and build her confidence. Susan says BESREMi Pen gives her one less thing to stress about, which can be especially important for people managing a rare, chronic blood cancer like PV.
What to Expect When Starting BESREMi video series
Others with PV share their experiences getting started and continuing on BESREMi, including how they managed flu-like symptoms due to the injections and when they began to see results.
What to Expect When Starting BESREMi
Steven’s Story
Hear Steven talk about what to expect when starting BESREMi and why it was the best treatment option for his PV. Steven also shares when he started to see results and how he worked with his doctor to manage side effects and stay on track.
What to Expect When Starting BESREMi
Kevin’s Story
Watch Kevin talk about his experience taking BESREMi to help control his PV for the long term. Plus, hear Kevin’s tips for those just starting out, including the small and simple steps he took that made a big difference with minimizing side effects.
Taking Charge of My PV webinars
People living with PV and doctors who specialize in treating this rare, chronic blood cancer share real-life experiences and perspectives to help you manage your condition.
Taking Charge of My PV
Managing PV for the Long Term
Watch an informative discussion about controlling your PV for the long term. Topics include PV symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and risks of disease progression. Plus, find out how BESREMi helps treat PV at the source of the disease in the bone marrow.
Taking Charge of My PV
Self-advocacy
This webinar episode will help you learn ways to build a trusting partnership with your care team, confidently speak up about treatment goals, make informed long-term decisions, and advocate for the right treatment plan for you.
An In-depth Conversation With the PV Community video
Join people living with PV and doctors who treat it for a candid conversation about taking control of the PV journey.
Video Chapters
Read this Important Safety Information carefully. It explains the serious risks of BESREMi and how to take it safely. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
What is the most important information I should know about BESREMi?
BESREMi can cause serious side effects, including conditions that may cause death or may worsen certain serious diseases you may already have. If symptoms get worse, or become severe and continue, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking BESREMi permanently. These symptoms may go away in some people after they stop taking BESREMi.
Mental health problems, including suicide
BESREMi may cause mood or behavior problems that can get worse during treatment or after your last dose, including:
- Irritability (getting upset easily)
- Restlessness and agitation
- Confusion
- Depression (feeling low, hopeless, or bad about yourself)
- Unusually grand ideas
- Acting aggressive or impulsively
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, or thoughts of suicide
If you develop any of these symptoms, call your healthcare provider immediately.
New or worsening autoimmune problems
BESREMi may cause your immune system to attack healthy cells, leading to conditions such as thyroid disease, increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia), or type 1 diabetes. Call your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Extreme tiredness
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
Heart problems
BESREMi may cause heart problems, including:
- Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease)
- Heart attack
- Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)
- Decreased blood flow to the heart
You should not take BESREMi if you have:
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Congestive heart failure
- A serious abnormal heart rhythm
- Narrowing of the arteries to your heart
- Certain types of chest pain (angina)
- A recent stroke or heart attack
Who should not take BESREMi?
Do not take BESREMi if you:
- Have or had severe mental health problems, especially depression, suicidal thoughts, or attempted suicide
- Have or had a serious or untreated autoimmune disease
- Are allergic to interferon or any ingredient in BESREMi (symptoms may include itching, swelling, trouble breathing, dizziness, or chest pain)
- Have certain types of liver disease
- Have had a transplant and take immune-suppressing medication
Before using BESREMi, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you have any of the following:
- A mental illness
- Type 1 diabetes
- Heart or bleeding problems
- Problems with your immune system
- Hepatitis B or HIV infection
- Kidney or liver problems
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- BESREMi may harm your unborn baby. Use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 8 weeks after your last dose
- BESREMi may affect your menstrual cycle and could stop your periods
- Do not breastfeed while taking BESREMi
What are the possible side effects of BESREMi?
Serious side effects include:
- Low blood cell counts: taking BESREMi can lead to infections, anemia, or bleeding problems. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop weakness and tiredness, bruising easily, nose bleeds often, fever, chills, burning and painful urination, urinating often, or coughing up yellow or pink mucus (phlegm)
- Serious allergic reactions: Get medical help right away if you get any of the following symptoms: skin rash or hives; itching; swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing; chest pain; or feeling faint
- Eye problems: BESREMi can cause severe eye problems with your retinas that can lead to vision loss or blindness. You should have an eye exam before and during treatment with BESREMi if you have diabetes or high blood pressure and also have retinal problems
- Liver problems: BESREMi can cause increases in liver enzymes and liver damage. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to monitor your liver enzymes and liver function before you start and during treatment with BESREMi
- Kidney problems: Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your kidney function before starting and during treatment with BESREMi. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any symptoms of a kidney problem, including: changes in the amount or color of your urine, swelling in your ankles, blood in your urine, or loss of appetite
- Tooth and gum problems: BESREMi can cause tooth loss and/or dry mouth. It is important for you to brush your teeth well, two times each day and have regular dental examinations during treatment with BESREMi
- Skin reactions: BESREMi may cause reaction such as rash, itching, and hair loss
- Increased triglycerides: You may require blood tests to monitor levels
The most common side effects of BESREMi include:
- Flu-like symptoms, including tiredness, weakness, fever, chills, muscle aches, and joint pain
- Itching
- Sore throat
These are not all of the possible side effects of BESREMi.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to PharmaEssentia at 1-800-999-2449 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.
Read this Important Safety Information carefully. It explains the serious risks of BESREMi and how to take it safely.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
What is the most important information I should know about BESREMi?
BESREMi can cause serious side effects, including conditions that may cause death or may worsen certain serious diseases you may already have. If symptoms get worse, or become severe and continue, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking BESREMi permanently. These symptoms may go away in some people after they stop taking BESREMi.
