Neulasta® Onpro® is designed to facilitate next-day G‑CSF delivery1
For more about febrile neutropenia risk after chemo administration, see patient risk factors.
Indication
Neulasta® is indicated to decrease the incidence.. Read more
Neulasta® is indicated to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti‑cancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia... Read more
Neulasta® is indicated to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti‑cancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia.
Neulasta® is not indicated for the mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Dosing and clinical pharmacology
On-body injector for Neulasta®
The on-body injector is designed to deliver the same Neulasta®1
See overview of how to useNeulasta® Onpro®
Also available in prefilled syringe for manual injection
- Both options offer a single, 6-mg fixed dose of Neulasta® with a half-life of 15–80 hours1
- Do not administer Neulasta® between 14 days before and 24 hours after administration of chemotherapy1
For more information regarding dosing, please see the Neulasta® full Prescribing Information.
G‑CSF, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.
View comparable Neulasta® pharmacokinetics with on-body injector and prefilled syringe
SD, standard deviation.Loratadine may help alleviate bone pain2
Bone pain was the most common adverse event for Neulasta®.1
- Neulasta® stimulates neutrophil development in the bone marrow, which may lead to bone pain for some patients1,3-5
Adverse Reactions With ≥ 5% Higher INCIDENCE in Neulasta® Patients compared with Placebo1
Event
Placebo
(n=461)
Neulasta® 6 mg SC on day 2
(n=467)
Bone pain
26%
31%
Pain in extremity
4%
9%
- Taxane therapy may be associated with bone pain2
Treatment with loratadine may be considered to help prevent bone pain in patients receiving chemotherapy and pegfilgrastim2
Randomized, phase 2 study to estimate the effect of prophylactic naproxen or loratadine versus no prophylactic treatment on bone pain in patients with early-stage breast cancer receiving chemotherapy and pegfilgrastim. The primary endpoint of the study was bone pain (all grades combined) in cycle 1, captured as part of AE reporting.2
AE, adverse event; SC, subcutaneous.
Neulasta® mechanism of action
Neulasta® is a recombinant G‑CSF that acts on hematopoietic cells and binds to specific cell surface receptors to stimulate production of neutrophils1,6
See Access and Heritage
Incomplete doses have been reported with Neulasta® Onpro® due to device not performing as intended. This may increase risk of neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and/or infection.
Important Safety Information
Contraindication
- Neulasta® is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious allergic reactions to pegfilgrastim or filgrastim
- Reactions have included anaphylaxis
Splenic Rupture
- Splenic rupture, including fatal cases, can occur following the administration of Neulasta®
- Evaluate for an enlarged or ruptured spleen in patients who report left upper abdominal or shoulder pain
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- ARDS has occurred in patients receiving Neulasta®
- Evaluate patients who develop a fever and lung infiltrates or respiratory distress after receiving Neulasta®
- Discontinue Neulasta® in patients with ARDS
Serious Allergic Reactions
- Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis can occur in patients receiving Neulasta®
- Majority of events occurred upon initial exposure and can recur within days after discontinuation of initial anti‐allergic treatment
- Permanently discontinue Neulasta® in patients with serious allergic reactions
Allergies to Acrylics
- On‐body injector (OBI) for Neulasta® uses acrylic adhesives
- Patients who are allergic to acrylic adhesives may have a significant reaction
Use in Patients With Sickle Cell Disorders
- In patients with sickle cell trait or disease, sickle cell crisis, in some cases fatal, can occur in patients receiving Neulasta®
- Discontinue Neulasta® if sickle cell crisis occurs
Glomerulonephritis
- Has occurred in patients receiving Neulasta®
- Diagnoses based on azotemia, hematuria, proteinuria, and renal biopsy
- Generally events resolved after dose reduction or discontinuation of Neulasta®
- If suspected, evaluate for cause and if cause is likely, consider dose‐reduction or interruption of Neulasta®
Leukocytosis
- Increased white blood cell counts of 100 x 109/L have been observed
- Monitoring CBCs is recommended
Capillary Leak Syndrome (CLS)
- CLS has been reported after G‐CSF administration, including Neulasta®
- Characterized by hypotension, hypoalbuminemia, edema, and hemoconcentration
- Episodes vary in frequency, severity, and may be life‐threatening if treatment is delayed
- Patients with symptoms should be closely monitored and receive standard symptomatic treatment, which may include intensive care
Potential for Tumor Growth Stimulatory Effects on Malignant Cells
- G‐CSF receptor has been found on tumor cell lines
- The possibility that pegfilgrastim acts as a growth factor for any tumor type, including myeloid malignancies and myelodysplasia, cannot be excluded
Potential Device Failures
- Missed or partial doses have been reported in patients receiving pegfilgrastim via the on‐body injector (OBI) due to the device not performing as intended
- In the event of a missed or partial dose, patients may be at increased risk of events such as neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and/or infection than if the dose had been correctly delivered
- Instruct patients to notify their healthcare professional immediately in order to determine the need for a replacement dose if they suspect that the device may not have performed as intended
Aortitis
- Aortitis has been reported in patients receiving Neulasta®. It may occur as early as the first week after start of therapy
- Manifestations may include generalized signs and symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, malaise, back pain, and increased inflammatory markers (e.g., c‑reactive protein and white blood cell count)
- Consider aortitis in patients who develop these signs and symptoms without known etiology. Discontinue Neulasta® if aortitis is suspected
Nuclear Imaging
- Increased hematopoietic activity of the bone marrow in response to growth factor therapy has been associated with transient positive bone imaging changes. This should be considered when interpreting bone imaging results
Most common adverse reactions
- Bone pain
- Pain in extremity
Please see Neulasta® full Prescribing Information.
Special Instructions for the On‐body Injector (OBI) for Neulasta®
A healthcare provider must fill the on‐body injector (OBI) with Neulasta® using the co‐packaged prefilled syringe and then apply the OBI to the patient’s skin (abdomen or back of arm). The back of the arm may only be used if there is a caregiver available to monitor the status of the OBI. Approximately 27 hours after the OBI is applied to the patient’s skin, Neulasta® will be delivered over approximately 45 minutes. A healthcare provider may initiate administration with the OBI on the same day as the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy, as long as the OBI delivers Neulasta® no less than 24 hours after the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy.
The prefilled syringe co‐packaged in the Neulasta® Onpro® kit contains additional solution to compensate for liquid loss during delivery through the OBI. If this syringe is used for manual subcutaneous injection, the patient will receive an overdose. If the prefilled syringe for manual use is used with the OBI, the patient may receive less than the recommended dose.
Do not use the OBI to deliver any other drug product except the Neulasta® prefilled syringe co‐packaged with the OBI. Use of the OBI has not been studied in pediatric patients.
The OBI should be applied to intact, non‐irritated skin on the arm or abdomen.
A missed dose could occur due to an OBI failure or leakage. Instruct patients using the OBI to notify their healthcare professional immediately in order to determine the need for a replacement dose of pegfilgrastim if they suspect that the device may not have performed as intended. If the patient misses a dose, a new dose should be administered by single prefilled syringe for manual use as soon as possible after detection.
Review the Patient Information and Patient Instructions for Use with the patient and provide the instructions to the patient.
Refer to the Healthcare Provider Instructions for Use for the OBI for full administration information.
For any OBI problems, call Amgen at 1‐800‐772‐6436 or 1‐844‐MYNEULASTA (1‐844‐696‐3852).
See MoreClose
Incomplete doses have been reported with Neulasta® Onpro® due to device not performing as intended. This may increase risk of neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and/or infection.
Important Safety Information
Contraindication
- Neulasta® is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious allergic reactions to pegfilgrastim or filgrastim
- Reactions have included anaphylaxis
Splenic Rupture
- Splenic rupture, including fatal cases, can occur following the administration of Neulasta®
- Evaluate for an enlarged or ruptured spleen in patients who report left upper abdominal or shoulder pain
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- ARDS has occurred in patients receiving Neulasta®
- Evaluate patients who develop a fever and lung infiltrates or respiratory distress after receiving Neulasta®
- Discontinue Neulasta® in patients with ARDS
Serious Allergic Reactions
- Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis can occur in patients receiving Neulasta®
- Majority of events occurred upon initial exposure and can recur within days after discontinuation of initial anti‐allergic treatment
- Permanently discontinue Neulasta® in patients with serious allergic reactions
Allergies to Acrylics
- On‐body injector (OBI) for Neulasta® uses acrylic adhesives
- Patients who are allergic to acrylic adhesives may have a significant reaction
Use in Patients With Sickle Cell Disorders
- In patients with sickle cell trait or disease, sickle cell crisis, in some cases fatal, can occur in patients receiving Neulasta®
- Discontinue Neulasta® if sickle cell crisis occurs
Glomerulonephritis
- Has occurred in patients receiving Neulasta®
- Diagnoses based on azotemia, hematuria, proteinuria, and renal biopsy
- Generally events resolved after dose reduction or discontinuation of Neulasta®
- If suspected, evaluate for cause and if cause is likely, consider dose‐reduction or interruption of Neulasta®
Leukocytosis
- Increased white blood cell counts of 100 x 109/L have been observed
- Monitoring CBCs is recommended
Capillary Leak Syndrome (CLS)
- CLS has been reported after G‐CSF administration, including Neulasta®
- Characterized by hypotension, hypoalbuminemia, edema, and hemoconcentration
- Episodes vary in frequency, severity, and may be life‐threatening if treatment is delayed
- Patients with symptoms should be closely monitored and receive standard symptomatic treatment, which may include intensive care
Potential for Tumor Growth Stimulatory Effects on Malignant Cells
- G‐CSF receptor has been found on tumor cell lines
- The possibility that pegfilgrastim acts as a growth factor for any tumor type, including myeloid malignancies and myelodysplasia, cannot be excluded
Potential Device Failures
- Missed or partial doses have been reported in patients receiving pegfilgrastim via the on‐body injector (OBI) due to the device not performing as intended
- In the event of a missed or partial dose, patients may be at increased risk of events such as neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and/or infection than if the dose had been correctly delivered
- Instruct patients to notify their healthcare professional immediately in order to determine the need for a replacement dose if they suspect that the device may not have performed as intended
Aortitis
- Aortitis has been reported in patients receiving Neulasta®. It may occur as early as the first week after start of therapy
- Manifestations may include generalized signs and symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, malaise, back pain, and increased inflammatory markers (e.g., c‑reactive protein and white blood cell count)
- Consider aortitis in patients who develop these signs and symptoms without known etiology. Discontinue Neulasta® if aortitis is suspected
Nuclear Imaging
- Increased hematopoietic activity of the bone marrow in response to growth factor therapy has been associated with transient positive bone imaging changes. This should be considered when interpreting bone imaging results
Most common adverse reactions
- Bone pain
- Pain in extremity
Please see Neulasta® full Prescribing Information.
Special Instructions for the On‐body Injector (OBI) for Neulasta®
A healthcare provider must fill the on‐body injector (OBI) with Neulasta® using the co‐packaged prefilled syringe and then apply the OBI to the patient’s skin (abdomen or back of arm). The back of the arm may only be used if there is a caregiver available to monitor the status of the OBI. Approximately 27 hours after the OBI is applied to the patient’s skin, Neulasta® will be delivered over approximately 45 minutes. A healthcare provider may initiate administration with the OBI on the same day as the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy, as long as the OBI delivers Neulasta® no less than 24 hours after the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy.
The prefilled syringe co‐packaged in the Neulasta® Onpro® kit contains additional solution to compensate for liquid loss during delivery through the OBI. If this syringe is used for manual subcutaneous injection, the patient will receive an overdose. If the prefilled syringe for manual use is used with the OBI, the patient may receive less than the recommended dose.
Do not use the OBI to deliver any other drug product except the Neulasta® prefilled syringe co‐packaged with the OBI. Use of the OBI has not been studied in pediatric patients.
The OBI should be applied to intact, non‐irritated skin on the arm or abdomen.
A missed dose could occur due to an OBI failure or leakage. Instruct patients using the OBI to notify their healthcare professional immediately in order to determine the need for a replacement dose of pegfilgrastim if they suspect that the device may not have performed as intended. If the patient misses a dose, a new dose should be administered by single prefilled syringe for manual use as soon as possible after detection.
Review the Patient Information and Patient Instructions for Use with the patient and provide the instructions to the patient.
Refer to the Healthcare Provider Instructions for Use for the OBI for full administration information.
For any OBI problems, call Amgen at 1‐800‐772‐6436 or 1‐844‐MYNEULASTA (1‐844‐696‐3852).
References:
1. Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) Prescribing Information, Amgen. 2. Kirshner JJ, et al. Support Care Cancer. 2018;26:1323-1334. 3. Yang BB, et al. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2011;50:295-306. 4. Haegerstam GA. Acta Orthop Scand. 2001;72:308-317. 5. Schweizerhof M, et al. Nat Med. 2009;15:802-807. 6. Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) Patient Information, Amgen. 7. Yang BB, et al. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2015;75:1199-1206.