Neupogen Vs Neulasta -

Hello,

My daughter began chemo treatments on Jan. 25th -1 treatment of ABVD every 2 weeks and her second treatment was scheduled on the 8th of Feb., unfortunately her white blood cell count was way down after only one treatment and now the oncologist is requiring that she take Neulasta, it is a new product in Canada, and I would like to know if anyone has any information regarding this new drug, side effects, and taking 1 injection of neulasta compared to 10 of Neupogen.... I would greatly appreciate a reply asap as she is scheduled for her next chemo treatment on the 15th...
Thank you very much for all or any info anyone can give me.

Mally

Here are some web links to info on this drug.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/neulasta_cp.htm
http://www.neulasta.com/professional/

Good morning. Just remember, every day is good!
My boyfriend just began chemotherapy 2 months agos for NHL. He receives treatments one week every month for 5 days. After the 5th day, he needs to return the following day for a Neulasta injection. We had been told that the side effects are basically negligible, except for the possibility of an achy bone feeling. Neulasta stimulates the bone marrow so that it produces more white blood cells, and that's why there is the potential of having an achy feeling in the shoulder and collar bone area.
I decided to give him some calcium supplements to help strengthen the bone while he was going through this process. So far, he has had no side effects at all. His white blood cell count has been great, and he hasn't even had the "bone" feeling.
One woman (from our nutrition class), decided to have a glass of wine after her treatment. Her white blood cell count had been low, and she was scheduled for a Neulasta injection in a few days. After having the wine, her white blood cell greatly improved, and she didn't need the Neulasta. We haven't tried that one yet!
Since he doesn't have any experience with Neupogen, I can't compare the two.
I think that the Neulasta is a gift, because my boyfriend can still enjoy his life, and not worry about a low white blood cell count at this point. The side effects have been non existent.
I hope that this helps you with your decision. It's not easy to know what to do or try, but please know that this has been a positive experience, despite the cancer!
Good luck, and try to make laughter an important part of each day. I had all my friends e-mail me jokes, and when we are at the hospital, I have a jar full of "Joke of the Day", along with a "Good Wishes" jar. It always gives us something to look forward to....
Take care,
Pam

I am several years late in replying, but since this post is still public record, I will chime in.

 

My partner has had a rough time with chemo, but his response to Neulasta was EVEN worse. He could barely move, bones ached to the point of white knuckling it, lethargic beyond expression, and he began having a respitory response, wheezing, and could not breathe. He was hospitalized for 4 days: when the Neulasta wore off, he was better. Never again.

 

Now, after his 2nd cycle, his white counts are down again, and the doctor has given a shot of Neupogen....and other to be done in two days.  We shall see:  I hope he doesn't have the same side effects. 

hey there,

i also had adverse reactions to Neulasta shortness of breath pulseating headaches pain in the chest, back and lower back pain and feeling disorientated. I am supposed to be having my next dose of neulasta today however i am in real doubt of reciving it in fear of what the next lot of side effects will be. Discussed it with my Oncologist yet they want me to go  ahead and have it anyways, even though my white blood cell count is back to normal. Any advice will be appreciated.

 

thank you

Those are serious side effects...the lung/breathing is a serious one. Our doctor said he was allergic to Neulasta......it really is nothing he will take again.

 

This time he was given Neupogen, and although it did cause the bone aching, the symptoms did not last as long............and no breathing problems. 

 

Talk to your doctor!