Neulasta
Brand name: Neulasta
Chemical name: Pegfilgrastim
Class: Granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Neupogen is another granulocyte colony stimulating factor.
How it works: Granulocyte colony stimulating factors help the body make more neutrophils, a type of white blood cell.
Uses: Neulasta is used to reduce the risk of infection during chemotherapy treatment.
How it's given: Neulasta is given as an injection. It's usually given once during each chemotherapy cycle, at least 24 hours after the last dose of chemotherapy in the cycle and 14 days before the first dose of chemotherapy in the next cycle.
Side effects:
- bone and joint pain
- muscle pain
- spleen rupture
- pain in the upper left part of the stomach or tip of the left shoulder
- fever
- trouble breathing
- rash
- itching
- headache
- weakness
- constipation
- vomiting
- swelling
