Neulasta

Generic Name: pegfilgrastim (PEG fil GRAS tim)
Brand Names: Neulasta

What is Neulasta?

Feedback for Neulasta

User Reviews	Avg User Rating
2 Comments		8.5	Rate it!

Neulasta is a colony stimulating factor. It is a man-made form of a protein (amino acid) that stimulates the bone marrow and promotes the growth of white blood cells called neutrophils in your body. White blood cells help your body fight against infection.

Neulasta is used to treat neutropenia, a lack of certain white blood cells caused by receiving cancer chemotherapy. Neulasta is used in people with cancers other than bone marrow cancer.

Neulasta may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Neulasta

You should not use Neulasta if you are allergic to pegfilgrastim, filgrastim (Neupogen), or to other medicines made with the E. coli bacteria.

Before using Neulasta, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have sickle cell disorder or are taking lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid).

Neulasta is usually given 24 hours after you receive a chemotherapy treatment. Neulasta should not be given within the 14 days leading up to your chemotherapy treatment, or within the 24 hours immediately following chemotherapy. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as sudden or severe pain in your left upper stomach spreading up to your shoulder, rapid breathing or feeling short of breath, or any sign of infection such as fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, diarrhea, skin rash, redness or swelling of a skin wound, or white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Neulasta?

You should not use Neulasta if you are allergic to pegfilgrastim, filgrastim (Neupogen), or to other medicines made with the E. coli bacteria.

Before using Neulasta, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have sickle cell disorder. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Neulasta.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Neulasta passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Neulasta?

Neulasta is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Neulasta comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Do not shake the medication in its prefilled syringe. Vigorous shaking can ruin the medicine. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

A Neulasta prefilled syringe is for one use only. Throw the syringe away after using, even if there is still some medicine left inside. Do not use Neulasta if the expiration date on the label has passed. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

To be sure Neulasta is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested often. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Store Neulasta in the refrigerator and protect it from light. Do not allow the medication to freeze. If it is accidentally frozen, it can be thawed in the refrigerator and used at a later time. If the medicine freezes a second time, do not use it at all. You may allow the medication to reach room temperature for 48 hours before giving the injection. Protect the medication from light while it is out of the refrigerator. Throw away any Neulasta that has been left out at room temperature for longer than 48 hours.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of Neulasta.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medication.

Symptoms of a Neulasta overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while using Neulasta?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Neulasta.

Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Neulasta side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; wheezing, difficulty breathing; dizziness, fast pulse; sweating; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Neulasta and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

sudden or severe pain in your left upper stomach spreading up to your shoulder;
rapid breathing or feeling short of breath;
any sign of infection such as fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, diarrhea, skin rash, or redness or swelling of a skin wound;
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or
redness, swelling, bruising, itching, or a hard lump where the medicine was injected.

Less serious Neulasta side effects may include:

muscle, joint, or bone pain;
temporary hair loss;
nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite;
changes in your sense of taste;
weakness, dizziness;
headache; or
sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Neulasta?

Before using Neulasta, tell your doctor if you also use lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, and others).

There may be other drugs that can interact with Neulasta. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Neulasta.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.