My Anc was at 280 last week. They reduced my pegintron and I am taking one injection of neupogen a week for now. I don't blame you for not skipping. I am not too happy about the dose reduction either. I know it's different with everybody, but how much did the neupogen improve your anc? The trial requires mine to be at least 750 to not reduce the peg.
t know what the dosage requirements are for Neulasta but it is not taken as often as Neupogen. My experience with Neupogen was 1 injection per week initally, then 2 and several times I was reduced to half dosage or skipped several weeks because my WBC was high. It's a balancing act and usually those on Neupogen require more blood draws than those who are not taking it.
I thought it was some nasty stuff.
The safety and efficacy of NEUPOGEN® given simultaneously with cytotoxic chemotherapy have not been established. Because of the potential sensitivity of rapidly dividing myeloid cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy‚ do not use NEUPOGEN® in the period 24 hours before through 24 hours after the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy.
http://pi.amgen.com/united_states/neupogen/neupogen_pi_hcp_english.pdf
(see bottom of pg 13.
This is an topic has often been covered here.
Take a look at these links:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Nuepogen/show/1703081
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Some-clarification-if-someone-knows-or-doctor-has-explained/show/1656098?
http://pi.amgen.com/united_states/neupogen/neupogen_ppi_pt_english.pdf
Among other things: "Serious Allergic Reactions. NEUPOGEN can cause serious allergic reactions. These reactions can cause a rash over the whole body, shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, swelling around the mouth or eyes, fast pulse, and sweating. If you or your child starts to have any of these symptoms, stop using NEUPOGEN and call your doctor or seek emergency care right away.
My GI doc and I were talking about my white and red blood count last tme I was on tx and she stated that given what she sees having happened prior she would want me if it happens again to go on Nueprigen. What is the difference. My sister who had breast cancer , before she passed took this and she would get violently sick right after taking.
Neulasta is a peglated version of Neupogen which is also know as filgrastim. It's used to stimulate production of neutrophils, a component of whilte blood cells. It can be taken less often than regular 'ol Neupogen. I found it rougher than Neupgen in that it had some side effects, mainly bone pain. I found Neupogen to be side-less.
Aranesp is Darbepoetin Alfa which is like Procrit (epo). It is also taken less often than Procrit.
Neupogen is often given by injection into the tissues just below the skin. This is called a subcutaneous injection. The best injection sites are the abdomen and the front or side of the thighs. Change the injection site each time you inject to avoid soreness at any one site. For best results, you should inject Neupogen at about the same time each
day.
How to inject
Always follow the instructions of your doctor, pharmacist or nurse - they may be different from those below.
Many doctors like to treat with Procrit when your hemoglobin is below 10. New protocol says, however, not to let it get above 11 when using procrit. The neupogen is for the absolute neutrophil count (ANC). The neutrophils are a part of the white cells. The total white count is not what they look at. When your ANC is around 500 they like to start the neupogen.
900 isn't bad, mine went 700 in my 4th week and i'm in my 45th already!
It's been 2 or 3 shots a week, thats why the reduction to see if I could stabilize a little. My pegys shot is today so i'll see what its like on thurs.,guessing I won't need a shot.Feel okay though no problems. No doc to speak too but I have the sound wisdom of office staff letting me know its probably not a problem.
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