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Pegfilgrastim

Generic name: pegfilgrastim, pegfilgrastim-jmbd, pegfilgrastim-pbbk, pegfilgrastim-apgf, pegfilgrastim-fpgk, pegfilgrastim-cbqv, pegfilgrastim-bmez
Brand names: Neulasta, Neulasta Onpro, Fulphila, Fylnetra, Nyvepria, ... show all 8 brands
Dosage form: subcutaneous injection, autoinjector, on-body injector
Drug class: Colony stimulating factors

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 8, 2024.

What is pegfilgrastim?

Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta, Fulphila, Fylnetra, Nyvepria, Stimufend, Udenyca, Ziextenzo) is a man-made version of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), which is a growth factor produced by your body. G-CSF stimulates your bone marrow to produce a type of white blood cell, called neutrophils. Neutrophils are important for fighting off infection.

Pegfilgrastim is used to reduce the risk of infection in some cancer patients and to increase your chances of surviving after exposure to high doses of radiation that affect your ability to make blood cells.

Pegfilgrastim is a leukocyte growth factor that works by binding to a receptor on immature cells called hematopoietic cells, which can develop into any type of blood cell. It makes them grow and turn into functioning neutrophils.

Pegfilgrastim is a pegylated or long-acting form of recombinant G-CSF, which means that it stays in your body for longer and doesn't need to be administered as often.

Pegfilgramstim is a type of biological drug. The original version of pegfilgrastim is called Neulasta and it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002.

Biosimilars of pegfilgrastim are also available. Biosimilar versions are highly similar to Neulasta and have the same effect on a person, but they are not identical. Biosimilars of pegfilgrastim include:

Neulasta and all of the biosimilar versions of pegfilgrastim are given by subcutaneous injection and available as a single-dose prefilled syringe. The Neulasta brand can also be given by subcutaneous injection using an on-body injector called Neulasta Onpro. The Udenyca brand is also available as a prefilled autoinjector and an on-body injector called Undenyca Onbody.

What is pegfilgrastim used for?

Pegfilgrastim is a prescription medication used to decrease the risk of infection, demonstrated by the presence of febrile neutropenia, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs that are likely to cause febrile neutropenia.

Some brands (such as Neulasta and Udenyca) are also approved to increase survival in patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation (Hematopoietic Subsyndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome).

Pegfilgrastim is not approved for use in the mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Important information

Important information for patients receiving pegfilgrastim using an on-body injection (Neulasta Onpro kit or Udenyca Onbody).

Who should not take pegfilgrastim?

Do not take pegfilgrastim if you have had a serious allergic reaction to pegfilgrastim or filgrastim.

What should I tell my doctor before receiving pegfilgrastim?

Before you receive this medication, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

The needle caps on the prefilled syringes for Fulphila, Fylnetra, Nyvepria, and Udenyca are not made with natural rubber latex.

How should I receive pegfilgrastim?

Receiving pegfilgrastim using a single-dose prefilled syringe

Receiving pegfilgrastim using a prefilled autoinjector

Receiving pegfilgrastim using an on-body injector

See the Instructions for use that come with your on-body injector for detailed information about how you will receive a dose of pegfilgrastim with the on-body injector, and how to remove and dispose of the on-body injector.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of pegfilgrastim, talk to your healthcare provider about when you should give your next dose.

What should I avoid while using pegfilgrastim?

If you are receiving pegfilgrastim using an on-body injector, while the on-body injector is in place you should avoid:

Dosing information

Pegfilgrastim dosing information for patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy

Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta and Udenyca brands) dosing information for patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation

filgrastim, Zarxio, Neupogen, pegfilgrastim, Neulasta, Udenyca, Granix, Leukine

What are the possible side effects of pegfilgrastim?

Pegfilgrastim may cause serious side effects, including:

The most common side effects of pegfilgrastim are pain in the bones, arms, and legs.

These are not all the possible side effects of this medication. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Does pegfilgrastim interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if pegfilgrastim will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if pegfilgrastim passes into your breast milk.

Storage

The storage instructions for pegfilgrastim vary according to the brand you use.

Neulasta single-dose prefilled syringe storage instructions

Fulphila, Fylnetra, Nyvepria, Stimufend, Udenyca and Ziextenzo single-dose prefilled syringe storage instructions

Keep the pegfilgrastim prefilled syringe out of the reach of children.

Udenyca prefilled autoinjector

Udenyca Onbody kit (on-body injector)

Neulasta Onpro kit (on-body injector)

What are the ingredients in pegfilgrastim?

Neulasta

Active: pegfilgrastim

Inactive: acetate, polysorbate 20, sodium, and sorbitol in water for injection.

Fulphila

Active: pegfilgrastim-jmbd

Inactive: acetate, D-sorbitol, polysorbate 20, and sodium in water for Injection.

Fylnetra

Active: pegfilgratim-pbbk

Inactive: acetic acid, polysorbate 20, sodium hydroxide, and sorbitol in water for injection.

Nyvepria

Active: pegfilgrastim-apgf

Inactive: acetate, polysorbate 20, sodium, and sorbitol in water for injection.

Stimufend

Active: pegfilgrastim-fpgk

Inactive: acetate, polysorbate 20, sodium, and sorbitol in water for injection, USP.

Udenyca

Active: pegfilgrastim-cbqv

Inactive: acetate, polysorbate 20, sodium, and sorbitol in water for injection.

Ziextenzo

Active: pegfilgrastim-bmez

Inactive: acetic acid, polysorbate 20, sorbitol, and water for Injection. Sodium hydroxide may be added as necessary to adjust pH.

Manufacturer

Nuelasta: Amgen Inc.

Fulphila: Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Fylnetra: Kashiv BioSciences, LLC.

Nyvepria: Hospira, Inc.

Stimufend: Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC.

Udenyca: Coherus BioSciences, Inc.

Ziextenzo: Sandoz Inc.

Pegfilgrastim Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There are 2 for pegfilgrastim.

Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) - Amgen Inc.
Formulation type Strength
Pre-Filled Syringe 6 mg/0.6 mL

View Neulasta information in detail.

Neulasta Onpro (pegfilgrastim) - Amgen Inc.
Formulation type Strength
Pre-Filled Syringe 6 mg/0.6 mL

View Neulasta Onpro information in detail.

Neulasta, Neulasta Onpro biosimilar products

Biosimilar products can only be dispensed in place of the reference product if the healthcare provider specifically prescribes the biosimilar product by name.

Pharmacy laws for biosimilar prescribing may vary by state

Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmdb) - Biocon Biologics Inc.
Formulation type Strength
Pre-Filled Syringe 6 mg/0.6 mL

View Fulphila information in detail.

Fylnetra (pegfilgrastim-pbbk) - Kashiv BioSciences, LLC
Formulation type Strength
Pre-Filled Syringe 6 mg/0.6 mL

View Fylnetra information in detail.

Nyvepria (pegfilgrastim-apgf) - Hospira Inc., a Pfizer Company
Formulation type Strength
Pre-Filled Syringe 6 mg/0.6 mL

View Nyvepria information in detail.

Stimufend (pegfilgrastim-fpgk) - Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Formulation type Strength
Pre-Filled Syringe 6 mg/0.6 mL

View Stimufend information in detail.

Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) - Coherus BioSciences, Inc.
Formulation type Strength
Autoinjector 6 mg/0.6 mL
Pre-Filled Syringe 6 mg/0.6 mL

View Udenyca information in detail.

Udenyca Onbody (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) - Coherus BioSciences, Inc.
Formulation type Strength
Pre-Filled Syringe 6 mg/0.6 mL

View Udenyca Onbody information in detail.

Ziextenzo (pegfilgrastim-bmez) - Sandoz Inc.
Formulation type Strength
Pre-Filled Syringe 6 mg/0.6 mL

View Ziextenzo information in detail.

Popular FAQ

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

Is Fulphila a chemo drug?

No, Fulphila is a prescription medicine used to boost the number of white blood cells in cancer patients receiving chemo. Fulphila is a man-made form of a protein known as a colony stimulating factor used to help prevent neutropenia (low white blood cells) caused by chemotherapy. Continue reading

What is the difference between Udenyca and Fulphila?

Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) and Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmdb) are both biological drugs containing pegfilgrastim. Udenyca and Fulphila are biosimilars of the reference product Neulasta (pegfilgrastim).

Udenyca and Fulphila are highly similar to, and have no clinically meaningful differences from Neulasta - they are as safe and effective and are used in the same way, but they are not interchangeable. Continue reading

What does cbqv stand for in pegfilgrastim?

The “cbqv” suffix is found in the biosimilar name for Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv), a biologic drug used to prevent neutropenia (a lack of certain white blood cells) caused by receiving chemotherapy. The suffix is used to distinguish its name from the original reference product, in this case Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), which has no suffix. The suffix on biosimilars helps healthcare providers and patients realize the medicine is an approved biosimilar, but the suffix has no specific meaning itself. Continue reading

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.