The recommended dosage is a single subcutaneous injection administered
once per chemotherapy cycle. Neulasta® is supplied as
a preservative-free solution containing 6 mg of pegfilgrastim (10 mg/mL)
in a prefilled single-dose syringe with a 27-gauge, 1/2-inch needle
and an UltraSafe® Needle Guard. It should be administered
at least 24 hours after myelosuppressive chemotherapy, but no sooner
than 14 days prior to the next cycle.9
How can Neulasta® be effective when it is given only once per chemotherapy cycle?
Clearance of a single 6-mg dose of Neulasta® appears to be self-regulated, allowing it to remain in the blood until the post-nadir absolute neutrophil count (ANC) returns to normal. The serum concentration declines rapidly at the onset of neutrophil recovery.9
How can a single fixed dose of Neulasta® be
effective irrespective of a patient’s weight? Won’t lighter patients require less and heavier patients more?
Neulasta® exhibits patient-specific pharmacokinetics
that provide for consistent neutrophil response independent
of weight, tumor type, or chemotherapy regimen. When administered
24 hours after chemotherapy, a single 6-mg fixed dose of Neulasta®
provides effective protection from neutropenic complications
for patients, irrespective of their weight.8,9
How do Neulasta® and Filgrastim compare in terms of efficacy, safety, and tolerability?
In phase 3 clinical trials, Neulasta® was
comparable to Filgrastim on all efficacy, safety, and tolerability
measures7-9:
Duration of severe neutropenia (ANC < 500/µL)
Rate of febrile neutropenia (ANC < 500/µL; T > 38.2°C)
Depth of ANC nadir
Time to ANC recovery
Safety
Is Neulasta®
contraindicated for certain patient types?
Neulasta® is contraindicated in patients with a known
hypersensitivity to E coli-derived proteins,
pegfilgrastim, Filgrastim, or any other component
of the product.
What adverse events were observed
with Neulasta®?
UltraSafe® is a registered trademark of SafetySyringes, Inc™.
Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) is indicated to decrease the incidence
of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with nonmyeloid
malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anticancer drugs associated with a clinically
significant incidence of febrile neutropenia.
