Neulasta should only be injected on the day the doctor has determined and should not be injected until approximately 24 hours after receiving chemotherapy.

If your child weighs less than 45 kg, do not use the prefilled syringe for direct administration of Neulasta. The Neulasta prefilled syringe is not designed to allow for direct administration of doses less than 6 mg.

The needle cover on the single-use prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber (latex), which should not be handled by persons sensitive to this substance.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Neulasta?

If you have a sickle cell disorder, make sure that your doctor knows about it before you start using Neulasta. If you have a sickle cell crisis after getting Neulasta, tell your doctor right away.

If you have a problem with your kidneys, make sure that your doctor knows about it before you start using Neulasta as you may need more frequent urine tests.

If you have any questions, talk to your doctor.

Why am I given Neulasta if I was exposed to radiation?

Exposure to high levels of radiation damages bone marrow. Damage to the bone marrow can be deadly. Neulasta increases your chance of survival.

Effectiveness of Neulasta in increasing survival after radiation exposure was only studied in animals. Neulasta given after deadly radiation levels could not be studied in people.

What are possible serious side effects of Neulasta?

Spleen Rupture. Your spleen may become enlarged and can rupture while taking Neulasta. A ruptured spleen can cause death. The spleen is located in the upper left section of your stomach area. Call your doctor right away if you have pain in the left upper stomach area or left shoulder tip area. This pain could mean your spleen is enlarged or ruptured.
A serious lung problem called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Call your doctor or seek emergency care right away if you have shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or a fast rate of breathing.
Serious Allergic Reactions. Neulasta can cause serious allergic reactions. These reactions can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, swelling around the mouth or eyes, fast pulse, sweating, and hives. If you start to have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or seek emergency care right away.
If you have an allergic reaction during the injection of Neulasta, stop the injection. Call your doctor right away.
Sickle Cell Crises. You may have a serious sickle cell crisis if you have a sickle cell disorder and take Neulasta. Serious and sometimes fatal sickle cell crises can occur in patients with sickle cell disorders receiving filgrastim, a medicine similar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim). Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of sickle cell crisis such as pain or difficulty breathing.
Kidney injury (glomerulonephritis). Kidney injury has been seen in patients who received Neulasta. Call your doctor right away if you experience puffiness in your face or ankles, blood in your urine or brown colored urine or you notice you urinate less than usual.
Increased white blood cell count (leukocytosis). Your doctor will check your blood during treatment with Neulasta.
Capillary Leak Syndrome. Neulasta can cause fluid to leak from blood vessels into your body’s tissues. This condition is called “Capillary Leak Syndrome” (CLS). CLS can quickly cause you to have sympt