Filgrastim Side Effects: An Introduction
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
filgrastim (
Neupogen®); however, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with filgrastim. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects of Filgrastim
Filgrastim has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which a group of people taking the drug have side effects documented. In these studies, the most common side effects of filgrastim included:
- Bone pain -- in up to 22 percent of people
- Nausea -- up to 10 percent
- Nosebleeds -- up to 9 percent
- Vomiting -- up to 7 percent
- High blood pressure (hypertension) -- up to 4 percent.
Serious Side Effects Seen With Filgrastim
Some side effects with filgrastim, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:
- Signs of an enlarged or ruptured spleen, such as upper abdominal pain or shoulder pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased growth of cancers
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, and unexplained swelling.
