What is NEUPOGEN (Filgrastim)?
NEUPOGEN is a man-made form of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF), which is made using the bacteria Escherichia coli. G-CSF is a substance produced by the body. It stimulates the growth of neutrophils (nu-tro-fils), a type of white blood cell important in the body’s fight against infection.
What is the most important information I should know about NEUPOGEN?
NEUPOGEN can cause serious side effects. These serious side effects include:
- Spleen Rupture. Your spleen may become enlarged and can rupture while taking NEUPOGEN. A ruptured spleen can cause death. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have pain in the left upper stomach (abdomen) area or your left shoulder.
- A serious lung problem called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Call your doctor or get emergency medical help right away if you or your child has shortness of breath with or without a fever, trouble breathing, or a fast rate of breathing.
- Serious Allergic Reactions. NEUPOGEN can cause serious allergic reactions. These reactions can cause a rash over the whole body, shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, swelling around the mouth or eyes, fast pulse, and sweating. If you or your child starts to have any of these symptoms, stop using NEUPOGEN and call your doctor or get emergency help right away. If you or your child have an allergic reaction during the injection of NEUPOGEN, stop the injection right away.
- Sickle Cell Crises. You may have a serious sickle cell crisis if you have a sickle cell disorder and take NEUPOGEN. Serious and sometimes fatal sickle cell crises can occur in patients with sickle cell disorders receiving filgrastim. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of sickle cell crisis such as pain or difficulty breathing.
- Capillary leak syndrome. NEUPOGEN 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 symptoms that may become life-threatening. Get emergency medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- Swelling or puffiness and are urinating less often
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling of your stomach-area (abdomen) and feeling of fullness
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- A general feeling of tiredness
- Decreased platelet count (thrombocytopenia). Your doctor will check your blood during treatment with NEUPOGEN. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bleeding or bruising while taking NEUPOGEN. This could mean a decrease of platelets, which reduces the ability of blood to clot.
- Increased white blood cell count (leukocytosis). Your doctor will check your blood during treatment with NEUPOGEN.
- Inflammation of your blood vessels (cutaneous vasculitis). Tell your doctor if you develop purple spots or redness of your skin.
- The most common side effects of NEUPOGEN include aching in the bones and muscles.
How should I take NEUPOGEN?
- NEUPOGEN should be injected at the same time each day. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or nurse.
- Always use the correct dose of NEUPOGEN. Too little NEUPOGEN may not protect you against infections, and too much NEUPOGEN may cause too many neutrophils to be in your blood. Your doctor will determine your/your child’s correct dose based on your/your child's body weight.
- If you are giving someone else NEUPOGEN injections, it is important that you know how to inject NEUPOGEN, how much to inject, and how often to inject NEUPOGEN.
- Your doctor or nurse will give you instructions on how to measure the correct dose of NEUPOGEN. This dose will be measured in milliliters. You should only use a syringe that is marked in tenths of milliliters, or mL (for example, 0.2 mL). The doctor or nurse may refer to an mL as a cc (1 mL = 1 cc). If you do not use the correct syringe, you/your child could receive too much or too little NEUPOGEN.
Important Safety Information
- Do not take NEUPOGEN if you have had an allergic reaction to human G-CSFs such as NEUPOGEN (filgrastim) or Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim).
- If you or your child are receiving NEUPOGEN because you or your child are also receiving chemotherapy, the last dose of NEUPOGEN should be injected at least 24 hours before your next dose of chemotherapy.
- Tell your Doctor if you are regnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if NEUPOGEN will harm your unborn baby.
- Tell your Doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if NEUPOGEN passes into your breast milk.
Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking NEUPOGEN ?
Before you take NEUPOGEN, tell your doctor if you:
- Havea sickle cell disorder
- Are allergic to latex. The needle cap on the prefilled syringes contains dry natural rubber (derived from latex). You should not give NEUPOGEN if you have latex allergies
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if NEUPOGEN will harm your unborn baby.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if NEUPOGEN passes into your breast milk.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements
General information about NEUPOGEN
Always use the correct dose of NEUPOGEN. Too little NEUPOGEN may not protect you against infections, and too much NEUPOGEN may cause too many neutrophils to be in your blood. Your doctor will determine your/your child’s correct dose based on your/your child’s body weight.
What are the ingredients in NEUPOGEN?
Active ingredient: Filgrastim
Other ingredient: Acetate, polysorbate 80, sodium, and sorbitol