Indicated for: neutropenia
Route of administration: injectable
Substance: lipegfilgrastim (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor)
ATC: L03AA14 (Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents | Immunostimulants | Colony stimulating factors)
Lipegfilgrastim is a medication used to stimulate the production of white blood cells (neutrophils) in the body. It is a modified granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) primarily used to prevent neutropenia (a decrease in neutrophil count) in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Neutropenia increases the risk of severe infections, and lipegfilgrastim helps reduce this risk.
This medication is a pegylated form of filgrastim, meaning it has a longer duration of action in the body. Lipegfilgrastim stimulates the bone marrow to produce more neutrophils, aiding in the recovery of the immune system after chemotherapy.
Lipegfilgrastim is administered as a subcutaneous injection, typically as a single dose per chemotherapy cycle. It is important that the administration is performed under the supervision of a doctor or healthcare professional, following the prescribed guidelines.
Common side effects include bone pain, headache, nausea, or injection site reactions. In rare cases, more serious adverse effects such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) may occur. Patients should inform their doctor of any unusual symptoms.
This medication is not recommended for patients with hypersensitivity to lipegfilgrastim or other proteins derived from E. coli. It is essential for patients to strictly follow their doctor’s instructions and undergo regular check-ups to monitor their response to treatment.