What is the difference between Nivestym and Neupogen?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on April 1, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Nivestym (filgrastim-aafi) is a biosimilar to the reference product Neupogen (filgrastim).

A biosimilar is a biological product that is highly similar to a biologic already approved by the FDA (known as the reference product) and has no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety, purity and potency from the reference product. Biosimilars can provide cost effective treatment options to already approved biologics.

Nivestym cannot be interchanged with Neupogen at the pharmacy level; the physician must specifically order Nivestym.

Neupogen and Nivestym Indications

Nivestym (filgrastim-aafi) is a recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor indicated to:
- decrease the incidence of infection‚ as manifested by febrile neutropenia‚ in patients with nonmyeloid malignanciesreceiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with a significant incidence of severe neutropenia with fever.
- reduce the time to neutrophil recovery and the duration of fever, following induction or consolidation chemotherapy treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- reduce the duration of neutropenia and neutropenia-related clinical sequelae‚ e.g.‚ febrile neutropenia, in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy followed by bone marrow transplantation (BMT).
- mobilize autologous hematopoietic progenitor cellsinto the peripheral blood for collection by leukapheresis.
- reduce the incidence and duration of sequelae of severe neutropenia (e.g.‚ fever‚ infections‚ oropharyngeal ulcers) in symptomatic patients with congenital neutropenia‚ cyclic neutropenia‚ or idiopathic neutropenia.

Neupogen (but not Nivestym) is indicated to increase survival in patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation (Hematopoietic Syndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome).

Learn More: What Are Biosimilars? Top Facts You May Not Know

What is the difference between Fulphila and Neulasta?

Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmbd), is a biosimilar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim). A biosimilar is a biological product that is highly similar to a biologic already approved by the FDA (known as the reference product) and has no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety, purity and potency from the reference product. Biosimilars can provide cost effective treatment options to already approved biologics. Continue reading

What is the difference between Udenyca and Neulasta?

Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) and Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) are both biological drugs containing pegfligrastim.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Udencya as a biosimilar of Neulasta, which means it is "highly similar to, and has no clinically meaningful differences from" Neulasta - it is just as safe and effective and used in the same way. The two drugs, however, are not interchangeable. Continue reading

How is Fulphila injected / administered?

Fulphila is injected into the area just under your skin (subcutaneous injection). It is given by a healthcare provider. You, or your caregiver, may be able to give these injections at home, after training from a healthcare provider. Continue reading

What is the difference between Nivestym and Neupogen?

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