Information on Neutropenia and Cancer

You are not alone in your fight against cancer. In addition to your doctor, nurse, and other members of your healthcare team, a wide range of other resources can offer you information and support during chemotherapy.

It's important to reach out to caregivers, other patients receiving chemo, and cancer survivors for hope and support.

The following is a listing of resources for cancer support. When using any of these resources, keep the following points in mind:

  • Investigate and verify any information you receive, so that you can understand how it may or may not apply to the specific cancer support you need.
  • Always consult your doctor for health-related problems and chemotherapy side effects.
  • American Association for Cancer Research
    215-440-9300
    Politically active in the research community
  • American Cancer Society
    1599 Clifton Road NE
    Atlanta, GA 30329
    800-ACS-2345
    www.cancer.org
    News, information, support
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
    1900 Duke Street, Suite 200
    Alexandria, VA 22314
    703-299-0150
    Information for people with cancer, and for doctors, nurses, and scientists
  • Cancer Care
    275 Seventh Avenue
    New York, NY 10001
    800-813-HOPE
    www.cancercare.org
    America's oldest and largest nonprofit agency offering cancer information and support
  • Cancer Hope Network
    Two North Road
    Chester, NJ 07930
    877-HOPENET
    www.cancerhopenetwork.org
    Confidential, free one-on-one support
  • Cancer Support Community
    919 18th Street NW
    Washington, DC 20006
    202-659-9709
    www.cancersupportcommunity.org
    A merging of The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club Worldwide; provides free emotional support, education and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones.
  • Cancervive
    11636 Chayote Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90049
    310-203-9232
    800-4-TO-CURE
    www.cancervive.org
    Dedicated to improving the quality of life for cancer survivors
  • Cancer Wellness Center
    215 Revere Drive
    Northbrook, IL 60062
    847-509-9595
    Emotional support hotline:
    866-292-9355
    www.cancerwellness.org
    Free psychological, emotional, and social support
  • Center for Coping
    12 West Cherry Street
    Hicksville, NY 11801
    516-822-3131
    www.coping.com
    Helping improve people's ability to cope
  • National Cancer Institute
    Cancer Information Service
    800-4-CANCER
    www.nci.nih.gov
    Free information on all cancer types
  • National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
    1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 770
    Silver Spring, MD 20910
    877-NCCS-YES
    www.canceradvocacy.org
    Network of organizations and individuals serving people with cancer
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network
    www.nccn.org
    888-909-6226
    Dedicated to advancing research and improving the effectiveness of cancer care
  • National Patient Advocate Foundation
    800-532-5274
    www.npaf.org
    Information on government policies

Indication

Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) is a prescription medication used to reduce the risk of infection (initially marked by fever) in patients with some tumors receiving strong chemotherapy that decreases the number of infection-fighting white blood cells.

Important Safety Information

Who should not take Neulasta®?
Do not take Neulasta® if you have had an allergic reaction to Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) or to NEUPOGEN® (Filgrastim).

What should I tell my health care provider before taking Neulasta®?
If you have a sickle cell disorder, make sure your doctor knows about it before using Neulasta®.

What are possible serious side effects of Neulasta®?
  • Spleen Rupture. Your spleen may become enlarged and can rupture while taking Neulasta®. A ruptured spleen can cause death. The spleen is located in the upper left section of your stomach area. Call your doctor right away if you have pain in the left upper stomach area or left shoulder tip area. This pain could mean your spleen is enlarged or ruptured.
  • A serious lung problem called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Call your doctor or seek emergency care right away if you have shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or a fast rate of breathing.
  • Serious Allergic Reactions. Neulasta® can cause serious allergic reactions. These reactions can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, swelling around the mouth or eyes, fast pulse, sweating, and hives. If you start to have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or seek emergency care right away. If you have an allergic reaction during the injection of Neulasta®, stop the injection. Call your doctor right away.
  • Sickle Cell Crises. You may have a serious sickle cell crisis if you have a sickle cell disorder and take Neulasta®. Serious and sometimes fatal sickle cell crises can occur in patients with sickle cell disorders receiving Filgrastim, a medicine similar to Neulasta®. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of sickle cell crisis such as pain or difficulty breathing.

What are the most common side effects of Neulasta®?
The most common side effect you may experience is aching in the bones and muscles. If this happens, it can usually be relieved with a nonaspirin pain reliever, such as acetaminophen.

What important information do I need to know about receiving Neulasta®?
  • Occasionally pain and redness may occur at the injection site. If there is a lump, swelling, or bruising at the injection site that does not go away, talk to the doctor.
  • Neulasta® should only be injected on the day the doctor has determined and should not be injected until approximately 24 hours after receiving chemotherapy.
  • The needle cover on the single-use prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber (latex), which should not be handled by persons sensitive to this substance.

If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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