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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 man-made form of a protein that stimulates the growth of white blood cells in your body. White blood cells help your body fight against infection.

Pegfilgrastim is used to prevent neutropenia, a lack of certain white blood cells caused by receiving chemotherapy.

Pegfilgrastim may also be used for 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; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using pegfilgrastim and 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;
• severe dizziness, skin rash, or flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• rapid breathing or feeling short of breath;
• signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, unusual weakness; or
• bruising, swelling, pain, redness, or a hard lump where the injection was given.

Less serious side effects may include:

• bone pain;
• pain in your arms or legs; or
• bruising, swelling, pain, redness, or a hard lump where the injection was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 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 or filgrastim (Neupogen).

Before using pegfilgrastim, tell your doctor if you have sickle cell disorder, chronic myeloid leukemia, myelodysplasia (also called "preleukemia"), or if you are allergic to latex.

Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Pegfilgrastim is usually given once per chemotherapy cycle. This medication should not be given within 14 days before or 24 hours after you receive chemotherapy.

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