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Brand Names: Neulasta

Generic Name: pegfilgrastim (Pronunciation: PEG fil GRAS tim)

• What is pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)?
• What are the possible side effects of pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)?
• What is the most important information I should know about pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)?
• How should I use pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Neulasta)?
• What happens if I overdose (Neulasta)?
• What should I avoid while using pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)?
• What other drugs will affect pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)?

Pegfilgrastim is a colony stimulating factor. It is a man-made form of a protein that stimulates the growth of white blood cells called neutrophils in your body. White blood cells help your body fight against infection.

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

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

What are the possible side effects of pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)?

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 pegfilgrastim 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 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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)?

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

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

Pegfilgrastim is usually given 24 hours after you receive a chemotherapy treatment. Pegfilgrastim 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.