Pegfilgrastim
About
Pegfilgrastim belongs to the class of medicine called 'hematopoietic agent' used to treat neutropenia, a deficiency of specific white blood cells caused by cancer, bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, or other diseases. Pegfilgrastim helps reduce the chance of infection in cancer patients and those receiving chemotherapy medicines. Neutropenia is a condition in which the quantity of neutrophils (white blood cells) in the blood is reduced.
Pegfilgrastim contains 'Pegfilgrastim,' a growth factor that stimulates the formation of white blood cells and helps reduce the chances of infection in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Pegfilgrastim will be administered by a healthcare professional. Sometimes, you may experience injection site responses such as pain, redness, or swelling. You may also experience nausea, headaches, bone pain and pain in the extremity. Most of these side effects do not necessitate medical treatment and will gradually fade over time. However, if you suffer these side effects regularly, you should consult your doctor.
Do not use Pegfilgrastim without the doctor's advice if you have a skin reaction or irritation to any medicine. Consult your doctor before using the Pegfilgrastim if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Let your doctor know if you suffer from renal dysfunction, blood cancer, or leucocytosis (high white blood cell count). Regular blood tests are recommended to check the number of white blood cells in the body. Keep your doctor informed about your medical condition and all the medicines you take to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Pegfilgrastim
Medicinal Benefits
Pegfilgrastim contains 'Pegfilgrastim,' which is a growth factor. It belongs to the cytokine family of proteins and is extremely similar to a natural protein (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) produced by the body. Pegfilgrastim acts by encouraging the bone marrow to generate more white blood cells, aiding infection resistance. Pegfilgrastim is used to boost white blood cell count following cancer treatment or chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, severe persistent neutropenia, neutropenia in HIV patients, and before stem cell donation.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Pegfilgrastim
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Bone pain
- Pain in extremity
- Pain at the site of injection
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Pegfilgrastim without the doctor's advice if you had a skin reaction or irritation to any medicine. Consult your doctor before using Pegfilgrastim if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Let your doctor know if you are suffering from renal dysfunction, blood cancer, leucocytosis (high white blood cell count). Keep your doctor informed about your medical condition and all the medicines you are taking to rule out any side effects. Regular blood tests will be taken to monitor the number of white blood cells in the body. Pegfilgrastim is a cold chain medicine, and so it has to be stored in the refrigerator between 2-8 degrees Celsius else its efficacy might get lost.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Pegfilgrastim may have interaction with medicines used to treat cancer (e.g. cladribine) and other hematopoietic agents (e.g. filgrastim).
Drug-Food Interactions: Limit or quit the consumption of alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Pegfilgrastim may cause interactions with disease conditions such as glomerulonephritis (acute inflammation of the kidney), leucocytosis (high white blood cell count) and myeloid tumours (cancer).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown whether consuming alcohol with Pegfilgrastim is safe. However, as a precaution, it is best to avoid or limit alcohol consumption.
Pregnancy
cautionPregnancy Category C. It should be used in pregnant women only if clinically needed, and the benefits outweigh the risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Pegfilgrastim passes into the breast milk. Please seek medical advice from your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking Pegfilgrastim.
Driving
safe if prescribedThe ability to drive or utilize machines is unaffected by Pegfilgrastim.
Liver
cautionConsult your doctor if you have liver problems.
Kidney
cautionCaution should be exercised while using Pegfilgrastim in patients with renal dysfunction. Monitoring of patients with renal dysfunction is recommended.
Children
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Pegfilgrastim in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Consume a well-balanced and healthy food to aid in your recovery.
- Avoid eating processed food or frozen food.
- Consume antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, and so on.
- Flavonoid-rich foods aid in the reduction of inflammation. Soy, berries, broccoli, grapes, and green tea are examples.
- Limit or quit the consumption of alcohol.
- Quit smoking.
Special Advise
- Monitoring of (CBC) complete blood count during therapy is recommended.
- While using Pegfilgrastim, do not get any immunizations or vaccinations unless your doctor has approved them.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Neutropenia: Neutropenia is characterized as a lower than the normal number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell). White blood cells protect the body from infections. Without enough neutrophils, the body cannot fight bacteria, increasing the risk of many illnesses. Neutropenia can be caused by various conditions, including cancers like leukaemia, cancer treatment like radiotherapy, and infections like HIV or hepatitis.
FAQs
Pegfilgrastim contains 'Pegfilgrastim,' which is a growth factor that stimulates the formation of white blood cells and helps to reduce the chances of infection in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
This medication should not be used in individuals who have a known allergy to filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, or any of the inactive components present in it.
Yes, Pegfilgrastim may interfere with certain lab tests, such as bone imaging and blood testing, potentially resulting in incorrect test findings. Make sure your doctor and laboratory personnel are aware that you take Pegfilgrastim.
Pegfilgrastim may sometimes cause capillary leak syndrome, a condition that causes blood leakage from small blood vessels. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice difficulty breathing, swelling, a feeling of fullness, and tiredness.
