Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim): Side Effects, Risks & What to Expect

Neulastra or Neulasta is a prescription medication used to treat deficiencies in white blood cell counts caused by chemotherapy. Despite its effectiveness, Neulasta poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Types of Common Side Effects

• Common side effects of Neulasta include hair loss, bone pain, diarrhea, fever, muscle pain, head aches, joint pain, vomiting, weakness, swelling of your extremities and diarrhea.

Features: Bone Pain

• Approximately 57 percent of patients who take Neulasta report bone pain, according to the Food and Drug Administration; however, approximately 19 percent of users successfully controlled this pain through the use of either narcotic or other types of prescription pain management drugs. If you experience bone pain related to Neulasta, discuss with your doctor possible options to reduce your discomfort.

Risks

• Some patients experience serious allergic reactions to Neulasta, causing shortness of breath, rapid heart beat, swelling and the appearance of red skin welts. It is also possible to develop reversible sickle cell anemia or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome while taking the drug.

Warning

• Infrequently, use of Neulasta causes a sudden rupture of the spleen that is potentially fatal without prompt medical attention. Early signs of a splenic rupture include severe, persistent pain in the upper left portion of your abdomen or pain in the tip of your left shoulder.

Considerations

• Neulasta can cause low birth weights and typically is avoided during pregnancy. In addition, the drug is not used in children who weigh less than 95 pounds.