This is an X-PIL, which is a text only patient information leaflet, designed for people with sight problems.
Table of Contents
Neupogen 30 MU (0.3 mg/ml)
Neupogen 48 MU (0.3 mg/ml)
solution for injection
filgrastim
1. What Neupogen is and what it is used for 2. Before you use Neupogen 3. How to use Neupogen 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Neupogen 6. Further information
Neupogen is a white blood cell growth factor (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) and belongs to a group of medicines called cytokines. Growth factors are proteins that are produced naturally in the body but they can also be made using biotechnology for use as a medicine. Neupogen works by encouraging the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells.
A reduction in the number of white blood cells (neutropenia) can occur for several reasons and makes your body less able to fight infection. Neupogen stimulates the bone marrow to produce new white cells quickly.
Neupogen can be used:
Please tell your doctor before starting treatment:
If you are a patient with severe congenital neutropenia and you develop leukaemia (cancer of the blood) or are likely to develop leukaemia, you should not use Neupogen.
If you are a stem cell donor, you must be aged between 16 and 60 years.
Take special care with other products that stimulate white blood cells.
Neupogen is one of a group of products that stimulate the production of white blood cells. Your healthcare professional should always record the exact product you are using.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription as they may affect the way Neupogen works.
Neupogen has not been tested in pregnant women. It is important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan to get pregnant, as the doctor may decide that you should not use this medicine. Neupogen could affect your ability to become pregnant or stay pregnant.
You must not use this medicine if you are breast feeding.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Neupogen should not affect your ability to drive and use machines. However, it is advisable to wait and see how you feel after taking Neupogen and before driving or operating machinery.
Neupogen contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per 0.3 mg/ml, i.e. essentially sodium free.
Neupogen contains sorbitol (E420), if you have been told by your doctor that you have a reaction to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Always use Neupogen exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Neupogen is usually given as a daily injection into the tissue just under the skin (known as a subcutaneous injection). It can also be given as a daily slow injection into the vein (known as an intravenous infusion). The usual dose varies depending on your illness and weight. Your doctor will tell you how much Neupogen you should take.
You will need to take Neupogen until your white blood cell count is normal. Regular blood tests will be taken to monitor the number of white blood cells in your body. Your doctor will tell you how long you will need to take Neupogen.
Neupogen is used to treat children who are receiving chemotherapy or who suffer from severe low white blood cell count (neutropenia). The dosing in children is the same as for adults.
If you think you have had more than you should, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
If you have missed an injection, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Please tell your doctor immediately during treatment:
Like all medicines, Neupogen can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Very common side effects (seen in more than 1 in 10 people who take Neupogen):
in cancer patients
in normal stem cell donors
in severe chronic neutropenia patients
in HIV patients
Common side effects (seen in more than 1 in 100 people taking Neupogen):
Uncommon side effects (seen in more than 1 in 1000 people taking Neupogen):
Rare side effects (seen in more than 1 in 10,000 people taking Neupogen):
Very rare side effects (seen in less than 1 in 10,000 people taking Neupogen):
Frequency unknown
Some changes may occur in your blood, but these will be detected by routine blood tests.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C).
Accidental freezing will not harm Neupogen.
Do not use Neupogen after the expiry date which is stated on the syringe label and carton after EXP.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not use Neupogen if you notice discolouration, cloudiness or particles, it should be a clear, colourless liquid.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Neupogen is a clear colourless solution for injection (injection)/concentrate for solution for infusion (sterile concentrate) in a vial.
Neupogen is available in packs of one or five vials. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
This medicine is marketed in the European Economic Area under the name Neupogen, except in Cyprus, Greece and Italy where it is called Granulokine.
This leaflet was last approved in March 2011.
Detailed information on this medicine can be found on the following web sites:
Local representative of the marketing authorisation holder:
Neupogen is available on the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) Medicines Information Line who can provide this leaflet in a number of physical formats including large/clear print, Braille and audio CD.
You can also listen to this leaflet when you call the Medicines Information Line.
The RNIB Medicines Information Line is free to use and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call them on 0800 198 5000.
Link to this document from your website:http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/14507/XPIL/Neupogen+30+MU+(0.3+mg+ml)+and+48+MU+(0.3+mg+ml).+Solution+for+injection./