Below are the general guidelines for dosing Neulasta (pegfilgrastim). Note that these dosages may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis for individual patients. Always follow your prescribing physician’s instructions for taking Neulasta.
The following information comes from DailyMed, an FDA label information provider.
What if I miss a dose of Neulasta?
According to Mayo Clinic, if you miss a dose of Neulasta, you should call your doctor or pharmacist for further instructions.
What if I overdose on Neulasta?
Overdosage of Neulasta may result in leukocytosis and bone pain. Events of edema, dyspnea, and pleural effusion have been reported in a single patient who administered Neulasta on 8 consecutive days in error. In the event of overdose, the patient should be monitored for adverse reactions [see Adverse Reactions (6)].
Dosage and Administration
2.1 Patients with Cancer Receiving Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy
The recommended dosage of Neulasta is a single subcutaneous injection of 6 mg administered once per chemotherapy cycle. For dosing in pediatric patients weighing less than 45 kg, refer to Table 1. Do not administer Neulasta between 14 days before and 24 hours after administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy.
2.2 Patients with Hematopoietic Subsyndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome
The recommended dose of Neulasta is two doses, 6 mg each, administered subcutaneously one week apart. For dosing in pediatric patients weighing less than 45 kg, refer to Table 1. Administer the first dose as soon as possible after suspected or confirmed exposure to radiation levels greater than 2 gray (Gy). Administer the second dose one week after the first dose.
Obtain a baseline complete blood count (CBC). Do not delay administration of Neulasta if a CBC is not readily available. Estimate a patient’s absorbed radiation dose (i.e., level of radiation exposure) based on information from public health authorities, biodosimetry if available, or clinical findings such as time to onset of vomiting or lymphocyte depletion kinetics.
2.3 Administration
Neulasta is administered subcutaneously via a single-dose prefilled syringe for manual use or for use with the on-body injector (OBI) for Neulasta, which is co-packaged with a single-dose prefilled syringe. Use of the OBI for Neulasta is not recommended for patients with Hematopoietic Subsyndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome. Use of the OBI for Neulasta has not been studied in pediatric patients.
Prior to useâ remove the carton from the refrigerator and allow the Neulasta prefilled syringe to reach room temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes. Discard any prefilled syringe left at room temperature for greater than 48 hours.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not administer Neulasta if discoloration or particulates are observed.
The needle cap on the prefilled syringes contains dry natural rubber (derived from latex); persons with latex allergies should not administer these products.
Pediatric Patients weighing less than 45 kg
The Neulasta prefilled syringe is not designed to allow for direct administration of doses less than 0.6 mL (6 mg). The syringe does not bear graduation marks, which are necessary to accurately measure doses of Neulasta less than 0.6 mL (6 mg) for direct administration to patients. Thus, the direct administration to patients requiring dosing of less than 0.6 mL (6 mg) is not recommended due to the potential for dosing errors. Refer to Table 1.
| Table 1. Dosing of Neulasta for pediatric patients weighing less than 45 kg | ||
| Body Weight | Neulasta Dose | Volume to Administer |
| Less than 10 kg* | See below* | See below* |
| 10 – 20 kg | 1.5 mg | 0.15 mL |
| 21 – 30 kg | 2.5 mg | 0.25 mL |
| 31 – 44 kg | 4 mg | 0.4 mL |
*For pediatric patients weighing less than 10 kg, administer 0.1 mg/kg (0.01 mL/kg) of Neulasta.
2.4 Special Healthcare Provider Instructions for the On-body Injector for Neulasta
A healthcare provider must fill the on-body injector (OBI) with Neulasta using the prefilled syringe and then apply the OBI for Neulasta 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 for Neulasta. Approximately 27 hours after the OBI for Neulasta is applied to the patient’s skin, Neulasta will be delivered over approximately 45 minutes. A healthcare provider may initiate administration with the OBI for Neulasta on the same day as the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy, as long as the OBI for Neulasta delivers Neulasta no less than 24 hours after administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy.
The prefilled syringe co-packaged in Neulasta Onpro® kit must only be used with the OBI for Neulasta. The prefilled syringe contains additional solution to compensate for liquid loss during delivery through the OBI for Neulasta. If the prefilled syringe co-packaged in Neulasta Onpro kit is used for manual subcutaneous injection, the patient will receive an overdose. If the single-dose prefilled syringe for manual use is used with the OBI for Neulasta, the patient may receive less than the recommended dose.
Do not use the OBI for Neulasta to deliver any other drug product except the Neulasta prefilled syringe co-packaged with the OBI for Neulasta.
The OBI for Neulasta should be applied to intact, non-irritated skin on the arm or abdomen.
A missed dose could occur due to an OBI for Neulasta failure or leakage. If the patient misses a dose, a new dose should be administered by single-dose prefilled syringe for manual use, as soon as possible after detection.
Refer to the Healthcare Provider Instructions for Use for the OBI for Neulasta for full administration information.
2.5 Advice to Give to Patients Regarding Administration via the On-body Injector for Neulasta
Advise patients to avoid activities such as traveling, driving, or operating heavy machinery during hours 26-29 following application of the on-body injector (OBI) for Neulasta (this includes the 45-minute delivery period plus an hour post-delivery). Patients should have a caregiver nearby for the first use.
Refer the patient to the dose delivery information written on the Patient Instructions for Use. Provide training to patients to ensure they understand when the dose delivery of Neulasta will begin and how to monitor the OBI for Neulasta for completed delivery. Ensure patients understand how to identify signs of malfunction of OBI for Neulasta [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) and Patient Counseling Information (17)]. Instruct patients using the OBI to notify their healthcare professional immediately in order to determine the need for a replacement dose of Neulasta if they suspect that the device may not have performed as intended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].
How is Neulasta supplied?
Neulasta single-dose prefilled syringe for manual use
Neulasta injection is a clear, colorless solution supplied in a prefilled single-dose syringe for manual use containing 6 mg pegfilgrastim, supplied with a 27-gauge, 1/2-inch needle with an UltraSafe® Needle Guard.
The needle cap of the prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex).
Neulasta is provided in a dispensing pack containing one sterile 6 mg/0.6 mL prefilled syringe (NDC 55513-190-01).
Neulasta prefilled syringe does not bear graduation marks and is intended only to deliver the entire contents of the syringe (6 mg/0.6 mL) for direct administration. Use of the prefilled syringe is not recommended for direct administration for pediatric patients weighing less than 45 kg who require doses that are less than the full contents of the syringe.
Store refrigerated between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in the carton to protect from light. Do not shake. Discard syringes stored at room temperature for more than 48 hours. Avoid freezing; if frozen, thaw in the refrigerator before administration. Discard syringe if frozen more than once.
Neulasta Onpro® kit
Neulasta Onpro kit is provided in a carton containing one sterile prefilled syringe and one sterile on-body injector (OBI) for Neulasta (NDC 55513-192-01).
The Neulasta injection single-dose prefilled syringe contains 0.64 mL of a clear, colorless solution that delivers 6 mg/0.6 mL of pegfilgrastim when used with the OBI for Neulasta. The prefilled syringe is supplied with a 27-gauge, 1/2-inch needle. The syringe does not bear graduation marks and is only to be used with the OBI for Neulasta.
The needle cap of the prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex).
Store Neulasta Onpro kit in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) until 30 minutes prior to use. Because the OBI for Neulasta is at room temperature during the period of use, Neulasta Onpro kit should not be held at room temperature longer than 12 hours prior to use. Discard Neulasta Onpro kit if stored at room temperature for more than 12 hours.
Do not use the OBI for Neulasta if its packaging has been previously opened.
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