Understanding Neupogen

Your doctor has prescribed the medication Neupogen for you. Neupogen increases the number of infection-fighting cells in your blood following a chemotherapy treatment. This sheet will help you learn more about Neupogen and how it is given at home, or in a clinic or hospital.

You may be able to get Neupogen injections at home.

What Neupogen Can Do for You

• Improve the quality of your life.

• Make you less prone to infection.

• Make it safe for you to be in close contact with people. And as a result, you can do more.

• Prevent illness that could cause a delay in your therapy.

How It Works

• When you have a chemotherapy treatment, the number of infection-fighting cells in your blood is reduced.

• As the number of cells decreases, you are less able to fight infection.

• Neupogen works by helping these infection-fighting blood cells to rebuild faster inside of your bones.

Children can carry infectious germs. Taking Neupogen may allow you to enjoy more visits.

Coping with Side Effects

• Common side effects are aching bones, joints, and muscles.

• These symptoms can often be relieved with a heating pad and/or pain medications that don't contain aspirin. Check with your doctor before you take anything for pain.

• Rare side effects include headache, pain in the lower back or pelvis, skin rash or itching, and nausea. Report all side effects. Your doctor will tell you what you can do to relieve them.