Neupogen

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What is NEUPOGEN^®?

Neupogen costs about $200 per shot and is often covered by your health insurance ONLY when your white blood cell count is low enough to make it fit within the "rationing program" of the insurance company.

NEUPOGEN^® is a man-made form of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), which is made using the bacteria E coli. G-CSF is a substance naturally 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.

What is NEUPOGEN^® used for?

NEUPOGEN^® is used to treat neutropenia (nu-tro-peen-ee-ah), a condition where the body makes too few white blood cells. Neutropenia may be a long-standing condition where your body does not make enough white blood cells, or it may be caused by drugs used to treat cancer. In some cases, your body may make enough white blood cells, but as part of your treatment for cancer, your doctor may want to increase the number of white blood cells your body makes and collect them. The cells are collected using a process called apheresis (ay-fer-ree-sis). These collected cells are given back to you after you receive your treatment for cancer.

How does NEUPOGEN^® work?

NEUPOGEN^® works by stimulating the growth of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. To make sure NEUPOGEN^® is working, your doctor will ask that you have regular blood tests to count the number of white blood cells you have. It is important that you follow your doctor's instructions about getting these tests.

Who should not take NEUPOGEN^®?

People who have had an allergic reaction to other products made using the bacteria E coli should not take NEUPOGEN^®.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about this information.

What important information do I need to know about taking NEUPOGEN^®?

NEUPOGEN^® may reduce your risk of getting an infection, but may not prevent all infections. An infection can still happen during the short time when your/your child's white blood cell levels are low. You must be alert and look for some of the common signs of infection, such as fever, chills, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, or redness, swelling, or pain around a cut or sore. If you/your child has any of these symptoms during treatment with NEUPOGEN^®, tell your doctor or nurse immediately.

There is a possibility that you could have a reaction at an injection site. If there is a lump, swelling, or bruising at an injection site that does not go away, call your doctor.

If you have sickle cell disease, make sure that you tell your doctor before you start taking NEUPOGEN^®. If you do receive NEUPOGEN^®, it is important that you drink plenty of fluids. If you have a sickle cell crisis after getting NEUPOGEN^®, you need to tell your doctor right away.

Make sure your doctor knows about all medicines, and herbal or vitamin supplements you are taking before starting NEUPOGEN^® injections. If you are taking lithium you may need more frequent blood tests.

If you/your child are receiving NEUPOGEN^® injections because you are also receiving chemotherapy, your doctor or nurse will usually inject your first dose of NEUPOGEN^® the day after the last dose of chemotherapy in each cycle. The last dose of NEUPOGEN^® should be injected at least 24 hours before your next dose of chemotherapy.

There is more information about NEUPOGEN^® in the Physician Package Insert. If you have any questions, you should talk to your doctor.

What are possible side effects of NEUPOGEN^®?

The most common side effect you/your child may experience is aching in the bones and muscles. This aching can usually be relieved by taking a non-aspirin pain reliever such as acetaminophen.

Some people experience redness, swelling, or itching at the site of injection. This may be an allergy to the ingredients in NEUPOGEN^®, or it may be a local reaction. If you are giving an injection to a child, look for signs of redness, swelling, or itching at the site of injection because they may not be able to tell you they are experiencing a reaction. If you notice any signs of a local reaction, call your doctor.

Serious allergic reactions can also happen. These reactions can cause a rash over the whole body, shortness of breath, wheezing, a drop in blood pressure, swelling around the mouth or eyes, fast pulse, or sweating. If you or your child seems to be having a serious allergic reaction, stop injecting NEUPOGEN^® and call your doctor or emergency medical personnel immediately (for example, call 911).

Some people taking NEUPOGEN^® had spleens that became enlarged and/or ruptured. The spleen is located in the upper left section of your abdomen. When the spleen is enlarged or ruptured you or your child may feel abdominal pain or pain in the left shoulder. If you or your child has abdominal or left shoulder pain, contact your doctor immediately.

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