What is Neupogen: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 25, 2023  •  Published Jan 25, 2023

Neupogen overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Zarxio, Neupogen, Nivestym

Generic Names:

  • Neupogen

Uses:

  • Helps your body make white blood cells after you receive cancer medicines. Also used to improve survival in people who have been exposed to radiation.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Hematopoietic

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Neupogen used for?

Neupogen comes in the form of an injectable solution and is used to treat neutropenia which is the lack of certain white blood cells due to cancer, receiving chemotherapy or other conditions. You should not use Neupogen if you are allergic to pegfilgrastim or filgrastim.

What form(s) does Neupogen come in

  • Injectable

What are common Neupogen doses?

  • Syringe 0.5ml of 300mcg/0.5ml

  • Syringe 0.8ml of 480mcg/0.8ml

  • Vial 1ml of 300mcg/ml

  • Vial 1.6ml of 480mcg/1.6ml

Common Neupogen prescriptions

  • Neupogen
    0.5ml of 300mcg/0.5ml syringe

  • Neupogen
    0.8ml of 480mcg/0.8ml syringe

  • Neupogen
    1.6ml of 480mcg/1.6ml vial

  • Neupogen
    1ml of 300mcg/ml vial

How to take Neupogen

  • Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. If the medicine is accidently frozen, let it thaw out in the refrigerator before you use it. If the medicine freezes a second time, do not use it.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or through a needle placed in a vein.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Start using the medicine 24 hours or more after you finish your chemotherapy. However, do not use it within 24 hours before you begin another chemotherapy treatment.

  • Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not inject into skin areas that are tender, red, bruised, hard, or has scars or stretch marks.

  • Allow the medicine to warm to room temperature for 30 minutes before using it. Do not warm it in any other way.

  • Check the liquid in the prefilled syringe or vial. It should be clear and colorless. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it.

  • Do not shake the medicine. Use the syringe or vial only once. Do not save leftover medicine.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • Keep the medicine in the carton and away from heat or direct light. The medicine can stay out of the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Throw away any medicine that has been out of the refrigerator for more than 24 hours.

Neupogen contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to filgrastim or pegfilgrastim.

Neupogen warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, lung disease, breathing problems, or sickle cell disease. Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to latex.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Spleen problemsSerious lung problems (including acute respiratory distress syndrome)Kidney problemsCapillary leak syndromeCutaneous vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels in the skin)Aortitis (inflammation of the largest artery in the body)

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Pain in your left side or shoulder, or feeling unusually full

  • Skin redness, blisters, or sores, red or purple spots on your skin

  • Swelling in your face, ankles, or feet

  • Trouble breathing or fast breathing

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

Neupogen interactions

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease or sickle cell disease. Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to latex.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Spleen problemsSerious lung problemsKidney problemsCapillary leak syndromeCutaneous vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels in the skin)

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Neupogen side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, red or dark brown urine, lower back or side pain

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

  • Pain in your left side or shoulder, feeling unusually full

  • Trouble breathing or fast breathing

  • Swelling in your face, ankles, or feet

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Coughing up blood

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, stomach pain

  • Skin redness, blisters, or sores, red or purple spots on your skin

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Bone, joint, or muscle pain

  • Nausea