Neupogen

Neupogen

Generic Name: filgrastim (fil GRAS tim)

Brand Names: Neupogen

What is Neupogen?

Neupogen (filgrastim) 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.

Neupogen is used to treat neutropenia, a lack of certain white blood cells caused by cancer, bone marrow transplant, receiving chemotherapy, or by other conditions.

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

Important information about Neupogen

Before using Neupogen, tell your doctor if you have sickle cell disorder, a blood cell disorder, chronic myeloid leukemia, myelodysplasia (also called "preleukemia"), or if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Do not self-inject Neupogen if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, syringes, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

To be sure Neupogen is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Neupogen. Your liver function will also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Before using Neupogen

You should not use Neupogen if you are allergic to filgrastim or to other medicines that contain the E. coli bacteria.

To make sure you can safely use Neupogen, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

sickle cell disorder;

a blood cell disorder;

chronic myeloid leukemia;

myelodysplasia (also called "preleukemia"); or

if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Neupogen will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether filgrastim passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Neupogen without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Neupogen pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use Neupogen?

Use Neupogen exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Neupogen is injected into a vein or under the skin. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, syringes, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Neupogen comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Neupogen should not be given within the 24-hour period before or after you receive chemotherapy. Do not shake the medication bottle or prefilled syringe, or you may ruin the medicine. Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use Neupogen if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use a different place on your arms, stomach, hips, or legs each time you give the injection. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

A Neupogen vial or prefilled syringe is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left inside. Do not use Neupogen if the expiration date on the label has passed. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

To be sure Neupogen is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Neupogen. Your liver function will also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Store Neupogen in the refrigerator and do not allow it to freeze. You may allow the medication to reach room temperature for 24 hours before measuring your dose in a syringe. Then place the vial back in the refrigerator. Throw away any Neupogen that has been left out at room temperature for longer than 24 hours.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember, but not within the 24-hour period before or after you receive chemotherapy treatment. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Neupogen?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Neupogen side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Neupogen: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Neupogen 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;

rapid breathing or feeling short of breath; or

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.

Less serious Neupogen side effects may include:

diarrhea, constipation;

bone pain;

muscle aches;

hair loss;

headache, tired feeling;

mild skin rash; or

itching, swelling, or redness where the medicine was injected.

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.

See also: Neupogen side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Neupogen?

Before using Neupogen, tell your doctor if you are also using lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid).

There may be other drugs that can interact with Neupogen. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Neupogen resources

Neupogen Side Effects (in More Detail)

Neupogen Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Neupogen Drug Interactions

Neupogen Support Group

0 Reviews for Neupogen - Add your own review/rating

Neupogen Prescribing Information (FDA)

Neupogen Monograph (AHFS DI)

Neupogen Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Neupogen MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Neupogen with other medications

Aplastic Anemia

Bone Marrow Transplantation

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Neutropenia

Neutropenia Associated with AIDS or Zidovudine

Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy

Peripheral Progenitor Cell Transplantation

Sepsis

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Neupogen.