Neulasta Side Effects
There have been reported side effects from taking Neulasta. Some minor effects can range from bone and joint pain, muscle pain or constipation. However some serious side effects can include severe allergic reactions such as rash or hives, difficulty with breath, dizziness, irregular and faster heartbeats, intense sweating, tightening of the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, and tongue. Other swelling areas include hands, feet, legs and arms. Other side effects experienced have included faster breathing, pain in the left shoulder, pain in the left side of the upper stomach. Upon injection in many patients, there have been cases where the site of the injection has a lump, bruising or swelling.The most severe side effects of Neulasta have been reports of:
• Enlargement and rupture of the spleen.
• Serious lung complications can include ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome).
• Serious sickle cell crisis preceded by pain and difficulty breathing.
Warnings & Recalls for Neulasta
As of yet, there hasn't been a recall of the drug Neulasta.
Before using Neulasta,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pegfilgrastim, filgrastim (Neupogen), medications that are made using the bacteria E. coli, or any other medications. Ask your pharmacist if you do not know if a medication you are allergic to is made using E. coli. Also tell your doctor if you or the person who will be injecting Neulasta for you is allergic to latex.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you are being treated with radiation therapy and if you have or have ever had cancer of the blood or bone marrow or sickle cell disease (a blood disease that may cause painful crises, a low number of red blood cells, infection, and damage to the internal organs). If you have sickle cell disease, you may be more likely to have a crisis during your treatment with Neulasta. Call your doctor right away if you have a sickle cell crisis during your treatment.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using Neulasta, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Neulasta.
- you should know that Neulasta decreases the risk of infection, but does not prevent all infections that may develop during or after chemotherapy. Call your doctor if you develop signs of infection such as fever; chills; rash; sore throat; diarrhea; or redness, swelling, or pain around a cut or sore.
Neulasta Treatment and Use
Neulasta | Pegfilgrastim, which is a prescription manufactured by Amgen Inc., is used to reduce the risk of infection in patients with tumors who receive intense chemotherapy that decreases the number of white blood cells that are known to fight infection. The onset of infection is marked specifically with fever higher than 100.5°F (38°C). Oftentimes, chemotherapy can’t make the distinction between cancer cells and those that are normal healthy cells, resulting in lower white blood cell count. Chemotherapy that induces this side effect is called myelosuppressive because it hinders the production of white blood cells. A low number of certain white blood cells called neutrophils, can put patients in risk and may result in the interruption of the chemotherapy treatment. Having sufficient levels of white blood cells may enable doctors to administer treatment according to the treatment schedule. Neulasta is administered through an injection given per cycle of treatment and is usually given 24 hours after a patient starts chemotherapy.
Other Names for Neulasta
Pegfilgrastim
Lawsuits & Legal Information for Neulasta
Author:
Lainee Hooks
Posted on Apr 13, 2012
