When you start chemotherapy, start strong
Help support your natural defenses with Neulasta®
Chemotherapy (also known as chemo) works by killing fast-growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, chemo can’t tell the difference between cancer cells and fast-growing healthy cells, including red and white blood cells. As a result, one of the most serious potential side effects of some types of chemotherapy is a low white blood cell count.1,4,5Chemo that causes this side effect is described as myelosuppressive (my-eh-low-suh-PRESS-iv), because it suppresses your production of white blood cells.
A low white blood cell count—also known as neutropenia (new-tro-pee-nee-uh)—can place some patients at risk for severe infections and interruptions in cancer treatment.1-3 In fact, complications associated with a low white blood cell count are the most common causes of dose reductions or delays in chemotherapy.
6-8 Neulasta® is a white blood cell booster to help support your natural defenses and help reduce the risk of infection in patients with some tumors receiving strong chemotherapy.
Neulasta® is a prescription medication called a white cell booster that helps your body produce more white blood cells to reduce your risk of infection. A sufficient white blood cell count may enable your doctors to administer chemotherapy according to their treatment schedule.
With the help of a white cell booster, you can maintain a sufficient white blood cell count. Most doctors agree that sticking to the planned chemotherapy schedule may be the first step to success.3,8,10-14
Studies have proven the effectiveness of Neulasta®
in helping to protect chemotherapy patients against
the complications of a low white blood cell count.15-17
An improvement in your white blood cell counts will show that Neulasta® is doing its job.
Neulasta® helps provide protection against these complications with just 1 injection per cycle of chemotherapy. It is given 24 hours after chemotherapy is administered. Neulasta® is for people with some tumors - solid tumors and lymphomas, for example.15
Be sure to ask your doctor about white cell boosters and if Neulasta® is right for you—given one day after the start of your chemo.
