Have you been prescribed chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer? When you receive such treatment, your body's immunity decreases a little, so you are more likely to develop diseases and infections. So, to protect you from such infections, your doctor may prescribe you a special medicine (injection). Eflapegrastim is one such medicine. You probably have many questions about this medicine. Don't worry, we will talk about everything simply and clearly today.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, Eflapegrastim is a medicine that gives your body a little 'boost', that is, a medicine that helps. Chemotherapy also affects healthy cells in the body. In particular, when our body gets sick, the number of white blood cells that fight it can decrease.
Think of white blood cells as soldiers in our bodies. These soldiers fight off germs and bacteria from outside and protect us from illness. When these soldiers are depleted due to chemotherapy, our bodies become more susceptible to infections.
That's when Eflapegrastim comes to the rescue. This medicine works by stimulating the bone marrow and helping the body produce the necessary amount of white blood cells quickly. This will strengthen your immune system again and greatly reduce your risk of developing infections.
The most important things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will ask you about your health history. It is very important to be honest and tell everything clearly at this time. Be sure to mention the following in particular:
- Whether you have a chronic blood condition, such as sickle cell anemia .
- Whether you have any kidney disease .
- Whether you have had an allergic reaction to medications such as Eflapegrastim, pegfilgrastim, filgrastim, or any other medication, food, dyes, or preservatives.
- Are you pregnant? Or are you expecting a baby soon ?
- Are you a breastfeeding mother ?
This information will be of great help to the doctor in treating you more safely and accurately.
How do you use this medicine?
This is not a medicine that you can take home and use. Eflapegrastim is a subcutaneous injection . It is given to you in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or a nurse who has been specially trained for this purpose. So you don't need to worry about it.
What if I get too much medicine?
This is given in a hospital setting so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think you have somehow received too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What do you do if you miss a dose of medication?
It is very important to take this medicine on time and on the day you are supposed to. So don't miss your doctor's appointment. If for some reason you can't go on your scheduled day, call your medical team right away . They will tell you what to do next.
Important note: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. The dosage is determined by many factors, including your medical condition, weight, and age. Therefore, do not share this medicine with anyone else for any reason.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Eflapegrastim can cause some side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some of them are normal and go away in a few days. But some of them we need to be very careful about. Let's look at these clearly.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Capillary leak syndrome | Pain in the stomach or muscles, unusual tiredness, fainting, decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet, and difficulty breathing. |
| Spleen damage | Sudden, severe pain in the upper left abdomen or left shoulder. |
| Kidney damage (Glomerulonephritis) | Decreased urine output, red or dark brown urine, foamy urine, swelling of the face, ankles, or feet. |
| Very high white blood cell count | Fever, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, night sweats, vision changes, weight loss. |
| Other serious symptoms | Difficulty breathing, unusual bruising or bleeding, fever, fatigue, back, chest, or stomach pain, which may be caused by inflammation of the aorta (aortitis). |
| 🙂 Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist. | |
| Bone and muscle pain | This is a common side effect. If the pain is severe, tell your doctor. |
| Digestive system problems | Nausea, diarrhea. |
| Other general characteristics | Fatigue, headache. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you want to know more about this, or if you develop new symptoms, talk to your doctor about them.
Take-Home Message
- Eflapegrastim is a medication given to protect against infections and increase the number of white blood cells in the body during chemotherapy treatment.
- Be sure to tell your doctor your complete medical history, especially any blood or kidney diseases and allergies.
- This medicine is given by a medical professional in a hospital or clinic. Never share it with others.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, swelling in the body, severe pain, or changes in your urine, seek medical advice immediately.
- Do not miss the dates given for taking the medicine. If you miss it, inform your medical team immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, talk to your doctor about it openly.
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