Pegfilgrastim: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Functions & Usage

What is Pegfilgrastim used for?

Pegfilgrastim is to help stimulate the bone marrow to make white blood cells in patients who are unable to produce enough white blood cells for their own bodies.

White blood cells help the body fight infection. Certain medical conditions (for example, cancer) and / or drugs (for example, cancer chemotherapy) can reduce the body's ability to make white blood cells normally.

Pegfilgrastim is the slow-acting form of the drug filgrastim. These drugs are called colony stimulant factors.

What are the rules for using Pegfilgrastim?

Read the information on the packaged patient flyer provided by your pharmacist before you start taking pegfilgrastim and each time you get a refill of this medicine. If you have questions about some information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Avoid shaking this medication as this can make the drug ineffective.

Remove the medication from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you inject it so that it reaches room temperature.

Inject this medication under the skin (subcutaneously) usually once during each chemotherapy cycle or as directed by your doctor. The dose of a single injection is usually 6 milligrams, but can be adjusted for children or adults with small bodies (weighing less than 100 pounds or 45 kilograms).

Do not give this medicine for a period of 14 days before 1 day after your chemotherapy. Giving this medicine during this period may increase the risk of certain side effects. Consult your doctor for details.

If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all the preparation and instructions for use from your healthcare professional. Before using this medication, check first for particles or discoloration. If one or both of these occurs, do not use liquid medicine. Learn how to store and dispose of medical supplies safely.

Choose a new injection site each time you give your dose. This will help prevent pain. Never inject pegfilgrastim into skin that is tender, red, bruised, and hard, or has scars or stretch marks.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How do you save Pegfilgrastim?

Store this medication in the box, cover tightly, and keep out of reach of children. Store pegfilgrastim in the refrigerator but don't freeze it. If you accidentally freeze this medication, you can defrost it in the refrigerator. However, if you freeze the medicine in the same syringe a second time, you will need to dispose of the syringe. Pegfilgrastim can be stored at room temperature for 48 hours, but must be kept out of direct sunlight. Throw away all medicines that are expired or are no longer needed. Ask your pharmacist about how to get rid of the drug.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using Pegfilgrastim?

Before deciding to use this drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed against its benefits. This is up to you and your doctor. For this drug, the following should be considered:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read labels or ingredients for medicines on the packaging carefully.

Children

Appropriate studies have not been carried out on the relationship of age to the effects of pegfilgrastim in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy are unknown.

Parents

The precise studies conducted to date have not shown a specific problem in the elderly that will limit the usefulness of pegfilgrastim in the elderly.

Is Pegfilgrastim safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (A = No risk, B = No risk in some studies, C = Possible risk, D = Positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = Unknown)

Studies in women show that this drug poses minimal risk to the baby when used during breastfeeding.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Pegfilgrastim?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: nausea, vomiting, sweating, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or feel like you might pass out.

Call your doctor if you have any of the following serious side effects:

• Sudden or severe pain in the upper left abdomen spreading to your shoulder
• Severe dizziness, skin rash, or flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling 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
• Bruising, swelling, pain, redness, or a hard lump at the injection site

Less serious side effects may include:

• Bone pain
• Pain in the arm or leg
• Bruising, swelling, pain, redness, or a hard lump at the injection site

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Pegfilgrastim?

Although certain drugs should not be used together at all, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may change the dose or take other precautions that may be needed. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs on the market.

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the work of the Pegfilgrastim drug?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Pegfilgrastim?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:

• Bone marrow cancer or other bone marrow problems - Pegfilgrastim can make cancer or other problems worse
• Liver problems - The safety of this drug in patients with liver problems has not been studied.
• Lung disease or breathing problems - Use with caution. It might make things worse.
• Mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) - The use of pegfilgrastim is not recommended for mobilizing PBPC
• Sepsis (serious infection) - There have been reports of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients who have serious infections and are receiving a similar drug called filgrastim
• Sickle cell disease - Pegfilgrastim can increase the risk of unwanted side effects

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of Pegfilgastrim for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Chemotherapy-Associated Neutropenia

6 mg subcutaneously once per chemotherapy cycle, starting 24-72 hours after chemotherapy completion

What is the dose of Pegfilgastrim for children?

Usual Children's Dose for Chemotherapy-Associated Neutropenia

Based on limited studies:

1-12 years: 100 mcg / kg (maximum dose: 6 mg) once per chemotherapy cycle, starting 24-72 hours after chemotherapy completion

13-18 years of age and heavier than 45 kg: 6 mg once per chemotherapy cycle, starting 24-72 hours after chemotherapy completion

In what dosages and preparations Pegfilgastrim is available?

Solution, subcutaneous

Neulasta: 6 mg / 0.6 mL (0.6 mL)

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you remember a missed dose no more than 2 days after your scheduled dosing, then inject the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Then inject the next dose on the regularly scheduled day the following week. If more than 2 days have passed since the day you were scheduled to inject the medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist what you should do. Do not use multiple doses or use more than one dose in 1 week to make up for a missed dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.