Neupogen (figrastim) is a medication used to decrease the risk of infection if you are suffering from cancer and subsequently, receiving chemotherapy treatment. According to MedlinePlus, Neupogen belongs to a category of drugs called colony-stimulating factors. It promotes more neutrophil (a cell in the body that helps fight infection) production in your body. Typically, you will receive 5 mcg/kg/day of Neupogen via injection or intravenous (through the vein) infusion, reports the National Library of Medicine. Your doctor will determine the frequency of your treatment sessions depending upon the severity of your cancer.
Routine Side Effects
According to the Drugs website, Neupogen routinely causes myalgias (muscle pain), bone pain, joint pain and alopecia (hair loss). It can cause unintentional weight loss and a poor appetite. Neupogen's other common side effects include a headache, epistaxis (nosebleeds), itching, swelling, irritation and a lump-formation at the injection site. Since Neupogen affects your immune system, you are to expect these side effects. However, tell your doctor if these effects worsen and remain for at least one week.
Serious Side Effects
MedlinePlus reports that Neupogen can cause fever, dizziness, wheezing, trouble breathing and abnormal bruising. It can cause eye or mouth swelling, rashes, hives, fever and left upper stomach pain. Neupogen's other dangerous side effects include bleeding gums, bloody urine or stool, hemoptysis (condition where you cough up blood), facial swelling, menstrual irregularities, dysphagia (trouble swallowing) and pale skin, says the Drugs website. Neupogen can cause difficulty urinating, paralysis, a sore throat, fatigue, chest tightness, profuse bleeding and tongue, lip or mouth sores. Inform your doctor when you develop these serious effects.
In a study of 384 patients receiving Neupogen, the National Library of Medicine says that 57 percent of the patients developed nausea and vomiting, 22 percent had bone pain, 18 percent had hair loss, 14 percent had diarrhea, 13 percent developed a neutropenic fever (type of fever due to low white blood cell counts) and 12 percent developed mucositis (inflammation of your mucusal linings of your digestive tract). Additionally, 11 percent had fatigue, 9 percent experienced anorexia and shortness of breath, 7 percent developed a headache and 6 percent had a cough and skin rash. In the same study, 5 percent had chest pain and constipation while 4 percent had a sore throat.
Other Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, Neupogen can cause the spleen to rupture. Symptoms of an enlarged and possibly ruptured spleen include left upper stomach pain and shoulder pain. Additionally, you should avoid Neupogen if you suffer from sickle cell disease, a condition in which your red blood cells are abnormally shaped. This prevents them from carrying adequate amounts of oxygen to your tissues. Neupogen can worsen this condition.
It is not known if Neupogen can cause harm to your nursing or unborn child. Tell your physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, you should not take Neupogen if you are allergic to filgrastim. You can develop potentially fatal complications such as swelling of your throat, hives and difficulty breathing. Finally, avoid combining Neupogen with vincristine or toposome. These drugs may interact with Neupogen and cause the aforementioned side effects.
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