nfection.
What is Neulasta® used for?
Neulasta® is used to treat neutropenia (nu-tro-peen-ee-ah), a condition where the body makes too few white blood cells. Neutropenia can be caused by drugs used to treat cancer.
How does Neulasta® work?
Neulasta® works by stimulating the growth of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. To make sure Neulasta® is working, the doctor will ask that the patient have blood tests to count the number of white blood cells. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions about these tests.
Who should not take Neulasta®?
Do not take Neulasta® if you are:
Allergic to Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) or any of its ingredients, or to NEUPOGEN® (Filgrastim). See the end of this leaflet for a list of ingredients in Neulasta®.
Allergic to other medicines made using the bacteria E coli. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.
What important information do I need to know about receiving Neulasta®?
Neulasta® can reduce the risk of infection, but it may not prevent all infections. An infection can still happen during the time when your white blood cell levels are low. You must be alert and look for some of the common signs of infection, such as fever, chills, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, or redness, swelling, or pain around a cut or sore. If you notice any of these symptoms during treatment with Neulasta®, tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
Occasionally a reaction may develop at the injection site. If there is a lump, swelling, or bruising at the injection site that does not go away, talk to the doctor.
If you have sickle cell disease, make sure that your doctor knows about it before using Neulasta®. It is important that you drink plenty of fluids if you receive Neulasta®. If you have a sickle cell crisis after getting Neulasta®, you need to tell your doctor right away.
Make sure your doctor knows about all medications you are taking before starting Neulasta® injections. If you are taking lithium, you may need more frequent blood tests.
The doctor, nurse, or caregiver will usually inject the dose of Neulasta® a day after the last dose of chemotherapy in each cycle. Neulasta® should only be injected on the day the doctor has determined and should not be injected until approximately 24 hours after receiving chemotherapy.
More information about Neulasta® is available in the Physician Package Insert. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor.
What are possible or reasonable likely side effects of Neulasta®?
Your spleen may become enlarged and, in rare instances, may rupture while taking Neulasta®. The spleen is located in the upper left section of your stomach area. Call your doctor right away if you have pain in your left upper stomach area or left shoulder tip area. This pain could mean your spleen is enlarged or ruptured.
Neulasta® can cause serious allergic reactions. These reactions can cause a rash over the whole body, shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness (a drop in blood pressure), swelling around the mouth or eyes, fast pulse, and/or sweating. Sometimes these symptoms could come back within days after stopping treatment for the allergic reaction. If you get these symptoms at any time, stop using Neulasta® and call a doctor or get emergency care right away. If you have an allergic reaction during the injection of Neulasta®, stop the injection right away.
The most common side effect you may experience is aching in the bones and muscles. If thi |
