What is Neulasta?
Neulasta is a medication that is used to stimulate the production of white blood cells in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. The active ingredient in Neulasta is pegfilgrastim, which works by increasing the production of a certain type of white blood cell known as a neutrophil. This can help to reduce the risk of infection in patients who are receiving chemotherapy treatment.
Neulasta is administered as an injection, either subcutaneously (under the skin) or intravenously (through a vein). In some cases, it may be given using a special on-body injector device that allows the patient to self-administer the medication.
Like all medications, Neulasta can have side effects. Common side effects include bone pain, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, headache, and nausea. In rare cases, Neulasta can cause serious side effects, such as allergic reactions or damage to the spleen.
Patients who are taking Neulasta should talk to their healthcare provider about any potential side effects, as well as any other medications or medical conditions they may have.
In conclusion, Neulasta is a medication that can be used to stimulate the production of white blood cells in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. While it can have side effects, it is an important treatment option for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions about neulasta
Neulasta is a prescription medicine used to prevent neutropenia (a lack of certain white blood cells) that is caused by receiving chemotherapy. Neulasta helps reduce the chance of infections.
Neulasta is a man-made form of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), 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.
Neulasta is used to help prevent infection in people with certain cancers who are receiving chemotherapy. The cancers are called non-myeloid cancers, which don't involve bone marrow (the tissue inside bones that makes blood cells).
Pegfilgrastim is manufactured at Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California, USA.
Most people who get side effects from Neulasta only have mild symptoms. These should go away on their own after a few days. Side effects of the Neulasta shot or patch usually aren't long in duration. Although very rare, Neulasta may cause a ruptured spleen.
As of 4/14/2022, the list price for Neulasta® is $6,417.99† per dose. Neulasta® is a single dose administered once per chemotherapy cycle. Most patients do not pay the list price.
Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) 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 white blood cell count.
Neulasta is given as part of a cancer treatment plan that includes other drugs. In fact, Neulasta is commonly used with chemotherapy to help with a common side effect of chemotherapy: increased risk of infection. If you have questions about any other drugs you'll be taking with Neulasta, talk with your doctor.
Pegfilgrastim injection (Neulasta, Udenyca) is also used to increase the chance of survival in people who have been exposed to harmful amounts of radiation, which can cause severe and life-threatening damage to bone marrow. Pegfilgrastim is in a class of medications called colony stimulating factors.
Pegfilgrastim is marketed in India by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. as Neulastim® since 2007. It is currently also sold by Intas, and Gennova/Emcure.
This increases white blood cell counts and treats neutropenia. White blood cells are crucial for the immune system to fight infection. Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) belongs to the class of medicine known as colony-stimulating factors.
Your spleen may become enlarged and can rupture while taking Neulasta®. A ruptured spleen can cause death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have pain in the left upper stomach area or left shoulder tip area. A serious lung problem called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
Both the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology recommend the Neulasta injection with every chemo cycle to guard against a serious infection manifested by a high fever called febrile neutropenia.
The reason for this minimum 24-hour delay is to allow the body time to metabolize and excrete the cytotoxic drugs. Otherwise, there is a risk that enough chemotherapy will still be present in circulation to kill many of the neutrophils that are produced as a result of giving G-CSF.
Approval Date: 1/31/2002.
As of 4/14/2022, the list price for Neulasta® is $6,417.99† per dose. Neulasta® is a single dose administered once per chemotherapy cycle. Most patients do not pay the list price.
