Pegfilgrastim
Information about Pegfilgrastim
Pegfilgrastim uses
Pegfilgrastim is used to prevent infections after chemotherapy.
How pegfilgrastim works
Pegfilgrastim is a growth factor that stimulates the bone marrow to produce white blood cells. These cells protect the body against infections.
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Common side effects of pegfilgrastim
Joint pain, Headache, Muscle pain, Back pain, Injection site pain, Hair loss, Fever, Diarrhea, Skeletal pain, Limb pain, Musculoskeletal (bone, muscle or joint) pain, Neck pain, Injection site bruising, Inflammation of the nose, Hypertonia (increased muscle tone), Puffy eyes, Chest pain, Cutaneous vasculitis, High white blood cell count, Enlarged spleen, Splenic rupture, Acute respiratory distress syndrome, Hypersensitivity, Sickle cell crisis, Erythema (skin redness), Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk), Sweet's syndrome, Capillary leak syndrome, Glomerulonephritis
Available Medicine for Pegfilgrastim
Expert advice for Pegfilgrastim
- Pegfilgrastim reduces the risk of infection in people treated with chemotherapy.
- It is usually given as a daily injection into the tissue just under the skin or into the vein.
- You will normally receive your first dose at least 24 hours after your chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant.
- Store it in the refrigerator, protect it from light, and don't shake it.
- For a more comfortable injection, leave the syringe at room temperature for 30 minutes before using it.
- Pain or redness in the area of injection is common. Let your doctor know if you notice a lump, swelling, or bruising that doesn't go away.
- Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration as Pegfilgrastim may cause dizziness.
- Your doctor may get regular tests done to monitor the number of blood cells in your blood, and your bone density level while you are receiving treatment with this medicine.
- Stop taking Pegfilgrastim and inform your doctor if you have a fever, shortness of breath, fast rate of breathing or trouble breathing.
Frequently asked questions for Pegfilgrastim
Pegfilgrastim
Q. What is Pegfilgrastim? How is it given?
Pegfilgrastim belongs to a class of medications called colony stimulating factors. It helps reduce the chances of infections and side effects related to chemotherapy and does not directly treat cancer. It comes as a solution (liquid) to inject subcutaneously (under the skin), 24 hours after chemotherapy. It may be injected by a doctor/nurse in a hospital or you may be shown how to use injections at home
Q. How does pegfilgrastim work?
Pegfilgrastim belongs to a class of medications called colony stimulating factors. It acts on hematopoietic cells (cells in the bone marrow that produce red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) to increase production of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the body.