Understanding Neupogen
Your doctor has prescribed the medication Neupogen for you. Neupogen increases the number of infection-fighting cells in your blood following a chemotherapy treatment. It is given by injection (a shot). Your doctor or pharmacist can give you information about getting the injections.This sheet will help you learn more about Neupogen and how it is given at home, or in a clinic or hospital.
You may be able to get Neupogen injections at home.
What Neupogen Can Do for You
Improve the quality of your life.
Make you less prone to infection.
Make it safe for you to be in close contact with people. And as a result, you can do more.
Prevent illness that could cause a delay in your therapy.
How It Works
When you have a chemotherapy treatment, the number of infection-fighting cells in your blood is reduced.
As the number of cells decreases, you are less able to fight infection.
Neupogen works by helping these infection-fighting blood cells to rebuild faster inside of your bones.
Children can carry infectious germs. Taking Neupogen may allow you to enjoy more visits.
Coping with Side Effects
Common side effects are aching bones, joints, and muscles, and redness, swelling, or itching at the site of injection.
These symptoms can often be relieved with a heating pad and/or pain medications that don’t contain aspirin. Check with your doctor before you take anything for pain.
Rare side effects include headache, pain in the lower back or pelvis, skin rash or itching, and nausea. Report all side effects. Your doctor will tell you what you can do to relieve them.
Call the Doctor If You Have:
Possible signs of infection such as fever, chills, rash, sore throat, diarrhea or redness at the site of a wound or sore
Pain in the left upper stomach area or left shoulder area
Shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, swelling around the mouth or eyes, quick pulse, or sweating
Redness, swelling, or itching at the site of injection