What is Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim)?
Neulasta is a prescription medicine used to help reduce the chance of infection due to a low white blood cell count, in people with certain types of cancer (non-myeloid), who receive anti-cancer medicines (chemotherapy) that can cause fever and low blood cell count.
What is the most important information I should know about Neulasta?
- Avoid traveling, driving, or operating heavy machinery during hour 26 through hour 29 after the On-body Injector for Neulasta is applied. Avoid activities and places that may interfere with monitoring during the 45-minute period that Neulasta is expected to be delivered by the On-body Injector for Neulasta, and for 1 hour after delivery.
- A caregiver should be with you the first time that you receive Neulasta with the On-body Injector for Neulasta
- You should only receive a dose of Neulasta on the day your healthcare provider tells you.
- You should not receive your dose of Neulasta any sooner than 24 hours after you finish receiving your chemotherapy. The On-body Injector for Neulasta is programmed to deliver your dose about 27 hours after your healthcare provider places the On-body Injector for Neulasta on your skin.
- Do not expose the On-body Injector for Neulasta to the following because the On-body Injector for Neulasta may be damaged and you could be injured: MRI, X-ray, CT-Scan, Ultrasound, Oxygen rich environments, such as hyperbaric chambers
- Avoid airport X-ray scans. Request a manual pat down instead. Use care during a manual pat down to help prevent the On-body Injector for Neulasta from being accidentally removed.
- Keep the On-body Injector for Neulasta at least 4 inches away from electrical equipment such as cell phones, cordless telephones, microwaves and other common appliances. If the On-body Injector for Neulasta is too close to electrical equipment, it may not work correctly and can lead to a missed or incomplete dose of Neulasta.
- The On-body Injector is for adult patients only
- Call your healthcare provider right away if the:
- On-body Injector for Neulasta comes off before or during a dose delivery. Do not re-apply it.
- On-body Injector for Neulasta is leaking
- Adhesive on your On-body Injector for Neulasta becomes noticeably wet (saturated) with fluid, or there is dripping. This may mean that Neulasta is leaking out of your On-body Injector for Neulasta. If this happens you may only receive some of your dose of Neulasta, or you may not receive a dose at all.
- On-body Injector for Neulasta status light is flashing red.
Neulasta can cause serious side effects. These serious side effects include:
- Spleen rupture. Your spleen may become enlarged or may rupture during treatment with Neulasta. A ruptured spleen can cause death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have pain in your left upper stomach area or left shoulder area. This pain could mean your spleen is enlarged or ruptured.
- A serious lung problem called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms of ARDS: fever, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or a fast rate of breathing.
- Serious allergic reactions. Get emergency medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms of a serious allergic reaction with Neulasta: shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, swelling around the mouth or eyes, fast pulse, sweating, and hives.
- If you have an allergic reaction during the delivery of Neulasta, remove the On-body Injector for Neulasta by grabbing the edge of the adhesive pad and peeling off the On-body Injector for Neulasta. Get emergency medical help right away.
- Sickle cell crises. Severe sickle cell crises, and sometimes death, can happen in people with sickle cell trait or disease who receive filgrastim, a medicine similar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim).
- Kidney injury (glomerulonephritis). Kidney injury has been seen in patients who received Neulasta. You should notify your healthcare provider 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 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
- The most common side effect of Neulasta is pain in the bones and in your arms and legs.
How should I take Neulasta?
- A caregiver should be with you the first time that you receive Neulasta with the On-body Injector for Neulasta.
- Neulasta is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous). Your healthcare provider will use a prefilled syringe with Neulasta to fill the On-body Injector prior to applying it. The prefilled syringe with Neulasta and the On-body Injector are provided to your healthcare provider as part of Neulasta OnproTM kit. The On-body Injector for Neulasta will be applied to the stomach area (abdomen) or back of your arm by your healthcare provider. If the On-body Injector for Neulasta was placed on the back of your arm, a caregiver must be available to monitor the On-body Injector for Neulasta.
- Your healthcare provider should place the On-body Injector for Neulasta on an area of your skin that does not have swelling, redness, cuts, wounds, or abrasions. Tell your healthcare provider about any skin reactions that happen in the On-body Injector for Neulasta application area after it has been applied.
- The On-body Injector for Neulasta is programmed to deliver your dose about 27 hours after your healthcare provider places the On-body Injector for Neulasta on your skin.
- The dose of Neulasta will be delivered over about 45 minutes. During dose delivery and for 1 hour after delivery, it is best to stay in a place where you or a caregiver can monitor the On-body Injector for Neulasta to make sure you receive your full dose of Neulasta and watch for symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- Keep the On-body Injector for Neulasta dry for about the last 3 hours before the dose delivery is expected to start. This will help you to better detect possible leaking from the On-body Injector for Neulasta.
- Only expose the On-body Injector for Neulasta to temperatures between 41°F to 104°F (5°C to 40°C).
Important Safety Information
While the On-body Injector for Neulasta is in place you should avoid:
- Traveling, driving or operating heavy machinery during hour 26 through hour 29 after the On-body Injector for Neulasta is applied.
- Sleeping on the On-body Injector for Neulasta or applying pressure on the On-body Injector for Neulasta. The On-body Injector for Neulasta may not work properly
- Bumping the On-body Injector for Neulasta or knocking it off your body.
- Getting body lotion, creams, oils, and skin cleansing products near the On-body Injector for Neulasta. These products may loosen the adhesive that holds the On-body Injector for Neulasta onto your body.
- Using hot tubs, whirlpools, or saunas, and direct sunlight. These may affect Neulasta.
- Peeling off or disturbing the On-body Injector for Neulasta adhesive before you receive your full dose of Neulasta.
Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Neulasta ?
Before you receive Neulasta, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- Have sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease
- Have had severe skin reactions to acrylic adhesives
- Are allergic to latex
- Have problems with your kidneys
- Have any other medical problems
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Neulasta may harm your unborn baby.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Neulasta passes into your breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
General information about Neulasta
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. If you would like more information about Neulasta, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You can ask your pharmacist for information about Neulasta that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in Neulasta?
Active ingredient: Pegfilgrastim
Inactive ingredient: Acetate, polysorbate 20, and sodium, sorbitol in Water for Injection