Monday, July 15, 2013

Neupogen and Neulasta (filgrastim and pegfilgrastim)

For people on chemo, keeping up the white blood cells, or more specifically neutrophils can sometimes be difficult.  Neutrophil granulocytes are part of the immune system and comprise the largest type of white blood cells we have.  If we have low white blood cells, specifically neutrophils, then we are at greater risk for infection.  Because these cells are rapidly dividing, they often fall victim to the same treatment as our cancer cells.  One of the reasons that chemo patients get a complete blood count (CBC) is to check on the white blood cells (as well as a host of other things).

If they find that your counts are low, one of the things which your oncologists may do is prescribe a dose of Neupogen (figrastim).  I have always been confused between Neupogen and another drug which does essentially the same thing, Neulasta (pegfilgrastim).   I finally asked what the difference was.  Neupogen is faster acting and is sort of a jump start, whereas Neulasta takes a big longer and does the same thing.  Both have side effects of aching bones and muscles (your legs and other long bones such as your humerus (upper arm) and your pelvis is where most of your marrow is...your marrow manufactures blood cells, so when you are given stimulators to make more blood cells of any type, then those bones can ache) which can be alleviated by taking a non-aspirin pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).  Both can cause enlarged or even ruptured spleens (if you have pain in your upper left abdomen, let your doctor know) , and bruising.  Also, some people are allergic to it....and if  you show any sign of allergy, let your doctor know immediately.

Both drugs are given by injection approximately 24 hours after getting chemo.  The injection site can swell and bit and get a bit warm or sore (local injection site reaction), but this may be an indication of an allergic reaction, and it is worthwhile to let the doctor know.  I find it a bit annoying to go back 24 hours after, but it seems to be doing the trick....my counts today were  actually in the normal range!  I switched to Neulasta when it became apparent that the low counts were not a once in a while thing, but had become chronic.  It is important to note that they won't prevent all infections.....you are still at risk, but it does give you a fighting chance.

If you have sickle-cell disorder, then you need to make sure that your doctor knows.  Another thing to bear in mind, both Neulasta and Neupogen come in pre-loaded syringes.  Neulasta's syringe contains dry, natural latex, and if you have a latex sensitivity, you need to make sure that your oncologist (and the injection nurse) are aware of this.  I don't know if Neupogen's does or not, but it is worth asking.

One thing to be aware of, I got my PET scan on Tuesday morning, and I was supposed to get my Neulasta shot the same day, so I told the nurse I would come in after my PET. By mistake, someone had scheduled Neulasta the same day as chemo (a no-no)....the PET tech came in and said..."Um..when did you have your Neulasta?"  I told her I hadn't yet, I was going in to get it after I finished with her and had had lunch.  She was very relieved as if I had had it before getting the PET, the stimulation would have caused metabolic uptake and my legs/pelvis/arms would have shown increased activity and made the PET next to worthless....score one for the Goose!

Yes, there is a drug which stimulates red blood cell production, but this is VERY expensive and must only be used under certain conditions and diagnosis. According to my oncology nurse, the insurance criteria is very specific.


Hope this helps....it sure helped me understand what was what and why I was getting what I was.

Why the red and white dahlias?  Well....I didn't have anything which would really fit..so I thought they could represent red and white blood cells....

20 comments:

  1. There is some evidence that Claritin--only Claritin, not other antihistamines--can help alleviate the side effects of Neulasta. Some people take it a couple of days before and after the injection; others, like me, all the time.

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    1. Thanks, Mary. I have found taking it with the Halaven (eribulen) also helps with side effects. Since I had a lot of unusual, annoying but not debilitating for the most part and I am not given Benedryl, I thought I would try it, and it seems to help a bit with the fatigue. Since I'm now on Neulasta, I'll see if it helps with that, and I will prolong my dosing a little (I usually take it the day before and the day of the infusion).

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      Delete
  2. I took Claritin the day before, day of, and day after as in structed and had no luck with easing pain. The bone pain from Neulasta was so bad, I was either going to stop the injections altogether or was going to need pain meds. For me, it was worse than chemo and radiation.

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    1. How often did you get the injections? Just curious.

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    2. Ditto. Will be seeing the oncologist in charge of the cancer center to see if they can lower the dose. My WBC was 35.1 one week after the shot and I was in the ER because of the pain.

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    3. I was depressed when doctor told me that I have been diagnosed with Herpes disease… I thought about my Family, I know my Family will face a serious problem when I'm gone, I lost hope and I wept all day, but one day I was searching the internet I found Dr.ezomo contact number. +2349069171173 I called him and he guided me. I asked him for solutions and he started the remedies for my health. Thank God, now everything is fine, I'm cured by Dr.ezomo herbal medicine, I'm very thankful to Dr.ezomo and very happy with my hubby and family. email him on dr.ezomorootandherbals@gmail.com or you can also reach him through WhatsApp number+2349069171173 He can also cure so many sickness {1}HIV And AIDS {2}Diabetes {3}Epilepsy {4}Blood Cancer {5}HPV {7}ALS {8}Hepatitis

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  4. I was depressed when doctor told me that I have been diagnosed with Herpes disease… I thought about my Family, I know my Family will face a serious problem when I'm gone, I lost hope and I wept all day, but one day I was searching the internet I found Dr.ezomo contact number. +2349069171173 I called him and he guided me. I asked him for solutions and he started the remedies for my health. Thank God, now everything is fine, I'm cured by Dr.ezomo herbal medicine, I'm very thankful to Dr.ezomo and very happy with my hubby and family. email him on dr.ezomorootandherbals@gmail.com or you can also reach him through WhatsApp number+2349069171173 He can also cure so many sickness {1}HIV And AIDS {2}Diabetes {3}Epilepsy {4}Blood Cancer {5}HPV {7}ALS {8}Hepatitis

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    PEGFILGRASTIM is a long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the growth of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell important in the body’s fight against infection. It is used to reduce the incidence of fever and infection in patients with certain types of cancer who are receiving chemotherapy that affects the bone marrow and to increase survival after being exposed to high doses of radiation.
    “Although, your health condition may impact your everyday life, do not let it define who you are.” NEULASTA (Pegfilgrastim) injection is used to treat neutropenia (low white blood cells) that is caused by cancer medicines. It is a synthetic (man-made) form of a substance that is naturally produced in your body called a colony-stimulating factor. NEULASTA (Pegfilgrastim) helps the bone marrow to make new white blood cells. When certain cancer medicines are used to fight cancer cells, they also affect the white blood cells that fight infections. NEULASTA (Pegfilgrastim) is used to reduce the risk of infection while you are being treated with cancer medicines. Thanks and may you have a good understanding of this drug— NEULASTA (Pegfilgrastim).

    ReplyDelete
  13.  I am overwhelm with joy and happiness and i am happy to share this with you all around the world about how Dr.CHUKWU MADU HERBAL HOME cured HERPES VIRUS...ever since i was diagnosed of Herpes virus in 2015, I was always thinking on how  I can get a solution out of my body so that i can be okay again. Until One day I went online on the internet to know more about the Herpes Virus i came across a Review Comment many people are saying that Dr.CHUKWU MADU HERBAL HOME cured their Herpes Genital Virus, I did not believe, i search again and i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from HPV AND HIV by Dr.CHUKWU MADU HERBAL HOME..and i decided to contact Dr CHUKWU MADU HERBAL HOME to Help and i told him about my HERPES illness he told me not to worry about,that he is going to send me his herbal medicine and actually he did.i took the medicine just as prescribe by him, he told me to go for check up in the hospital which i did and to my great surprise my Doctor told me the Herpes Virus was no longer there, all thank to you sir Dr CHUKWU MADU HERBAL HOME, contact his WhatsApp Number: +2347030936239 .His email: dr.chukwumaduherbalhome@gmail.com. His herbs are very powerful and has no side effects. He can cured all kinds of Viruses, diseases, sicknesses.

    ReplyDelete
  14.  I am overwhelm with joy and happiness and i am happy to share this with you all around the world about how Dr.CHUKWU MADU HERBAL HOME cured HERPES VIRUS...ever since i was diagnosed of Herpes virus in 2015, I was always thinking on how  I can get a solution out of my body so that i can be okay again. Until One day I went online on the internet to know more about the Herpes Virus i came across a Review Comment many people are saying that Dr.CHUKWU MADU HERBAL HOME cured their Herpes Genital Virus, I did not believe, i search again and i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from HPV AND HIV by Dr.CHUKWU MADU HERBAL HOME..and i decided to contact Dr CHUKWU MADU HERBAL HOME to Help and i told him about my HERPES illness he told me not to worry about,that he is going to send me his herbal medicine and actually he did.i took the medicine just as prescribe by him, he told me to go for check up in the hospital which i did and to my great surprise my Doctor told me the Herpes Virus was no longer there, all thank to you sir Dr CHUKWU MADU HERBAL HOME, contact his WhatsApp Number: +2347030936239 .His email: dr.chukwumaduherbalhome@gmail.com. His herbs are very powerful and has no side effects. He can cured all kinds of Viruses, diseases, sicknesses.

    ReplyDelete