Pegfilgrastim is a hematopoietic drug that belongs to granulocyte colony stimulated factor (G-CSF) and was approved by the FDA on January 31, 2002, for the treatment of febrile neutropenia and to increase the survival rate in patients receiving myelosuppressive doses of radiation.

Pegfilgrastim is a prescription medication used to decrease the chance of infection caused by low levels of white blood cells in patients with certain types of cancer (non-myeloid) receiving anti-cancer drugs that suppress bone marrow activity. It is also indicated to increase the survival rate in patients receiving radiation therapy that suppresses bone marrow activity.

Pegfilgrastim is available as a pre-filled injection, vial for injection, and on-body injector. The medicine will be administered in the fatty tissues just under your skin (subcutaneously) by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital setting. The dose and frequency of administration will be decided by your doctor based on your disease condition and other factors. 

If your physician decides that Pegfilgrastim can be administered at home by you or your caregiver, then read the “Instructions for use” carefully from the package insert that comes with the medicine. Your doctor or other healthcare professionals will train you on self-administration. Do not administer the medicine if you have not been trained and are not sure about the administration procedure.

The most common side effects of Pegfilgrastim are pain in the bones, joints, and muscles, pain at the site of injection, itchiness, skin rash, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and feeling tired. Side effects include inflammation of the aorta, capillary leak syndrome (plasma leaks out of tiny blood vessels), hypersensitivity reactions, changes in urine color, swelling in hands, feet, face, and abdomen, difficulty in breathing, and sickle cell anemia.

This medication tends to cause severe allergic reactions. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Pegfilgrastim, filgrastim, or any other ingredient in it. Pegfilgrastim may cause spleen problems and acute respiratory distress. It is important to report symptoms of left persistent upper abdominal pain, cough, fever, and difficulty in breathing to your physician. This medication may cause liver, lung, and kidney problems it is advisable to take regular laboratory tests to assess the effectiveness and safety of this medication.

Inform your physician if you have or ever had liver disease, fever or infection, kidney problems, heart problems, or a family history of heart disease before starting the treatment with this medicine. Inform your physician about all the prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products that you are currently taking or have taken before. Certain medicines tend to interact with Pegfilgrastim and can cause potential side effects. Pregnant women should not take this medicine. Inform your physician if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is unsafe to travel, drive vehicles, or operate heavy machinery after taking (1 hour)  this injection.

Store Pegfilgrastim in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C). Do not freeze. Do not shake the pre-filled syringe because it may affect its quality. Discard the medicine if it has been stored at room temperature for more than 48 hours. Keep it out of reach from children and pets. It is important to get the dose at the scheduled time. If you missed the schedule, contact your doctor immediately for advice.  It is a dose-based injection and should not be administered in patients weighing less than 45kg from a pre-filled syringe. Read the package insert carefully if you are self-administering the medicine.

1. Package leaflet: Information for the user Neulasta 6 mg solution for injection pegfilgrastim. [Revised 2021 Jun] [cited 2023 Feb 23]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.10091.pdf
2. Patient Information Neulasta ® (nu-las-tah) (pegfilgrastim) injection Single-Dose Prefilled Syringe. (2021). Available at: https://www.pi.amgen.com/-/media/Project/Amgen/Repository/pi-amgen-com/Neulasta/neulasta_ppi_pt_english.pdf  [Accessed 23 Feb. 2023].
3. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. (2019). Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/125031s198lbl.pdf   [Accessed 23 Feb. 2023].
4. Parker, S.D. and Jacobs, T.F. (2020). Pegfilgrastim. [online] PubMed. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532893/  [Accessed 23 Feb. 2023].

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.