s happens, it can usually be relieved with a non-aspirin pain reliever, such as acetaminophen.
Some people experience redness, swelling, or itching at the site of injection. This may be an allergy to the ingredients in Neulasta®, or it may be a local reaction. If you notice signs of a local reaction, call your doctor.
What about pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Neulasta® has not been studied in pregnant women, and its effects on unborn babies are not known. If you take Neulasta® while you are pregnant, it is possible that small amounts of it may get into your baby’s blood. It is not known if Neulasta® can get into human breast milk. If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breast feeding, you should tell your doctor before using Neulasta®.
HOW TO PREPARE AND GIVE A NEULASTA® INJECTION
Neulasta® is provided in a prefilled syringe. Neulasta® should be stored in its carton to protect from light until use. If you are giving someone else Neulasta® injections, it is important that you know how to inject Neulasta®. Before getting your Neulasta® injection, always check to see that:
The name Neulasta® appears on the carton and prefilled syringe label.
The expiration date on the prefilled syringe has not passed. You should not use a prefilled syringe after the date on the label.
The Neulasta® liquid should always be clear and colorless. Do not use Neulasta® if the contents of the prefilled syringe appear discolored or cloudy, or if the prefilled syringe appears to contain lumps, flakes, or particles.
IMPORTANT: TO HELP AVOID POSSIBLE INFECTION, YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
Setting up for an injection
Find a clean, flat working surface, such as a table.
Remove the carton containing the prefilled syringe of Neulasta® from the refrigerator. Allow Neulasta® to reach room temperature (this takes about 30 minutes). Remove the syringe from the carton before injection. Each prefilled syringe should be used only once. DO NOT SHAKE THE PREFILLED SYRINGE. Shaking may damage Neulasta®. If the prefilled syringe has been shaken vigorously, the solution may appear foamy and it should not be used.
Assemble the supplies you will need for an injection:
Neulasta® prefilled syringe with transparent (clear) plastic blue needle guard attached
Image from Drug Label Content
An alcohol swab and a cotton ball or gauze
Image from Drug Label Content
Image from Drug Label Content
puncture-proof disposal container
Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Image from Drug Label Content
HOW TO PREPARE FOR INJECTION OF NEULASTA®
Remove the syringe from the package and the tray. Check to see that the plastic blue needle guard is covering the barrel of the glass syringe. DO NOT push the blue needle guard over the needle cover before injection. This may activate or lock the needle guard. If the blue needle guard is covering the needle that means it has been activated. Do NOT use that syringe. Dispose of that syringe in the puncture-proof disposal container. Use a new syringe. Do not activate the needle guard prior to injection.
Hold the syringe barrel through the needle guard windows with the needle pointing up. Holding the syringe with the needle pointing up helps to prevent medicine from leaking out of the needle. Carefully pull the needle cover straight off.
Check the syringe for air bubbles. If there are air bubbles, gently tap the syringe with your fingers until the air bubbl |
