Pegfilgrastim Drug Interactions: An Overview
Pegfilgrastim (
Neulasta®) can potentially interact with other medications. Some of these medicines that may lead to pegfilgrastim drug interactions include:
Pegfilgrastim Interactions Explained
The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when pegfilgrastim is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
Chemotherapy Medications
Pegfilgrastim should not be taken any time within two weeks before chemotherapy until 24 hours afterwards. Pegfilgrastim stimulates the bone marrow, and chemotherapy tends to target rapidly growing cells (such as stimulated bone marrow cells). Therefore, using pegfilgrastim just before or after chemotherapy may actually increase the risk of low white blood cells. Usually, pegfilgrastim is given the day after chemotherapy to avoid this complication.
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
Lithium and pegfilgrastim both increase the production of white blood cells. While this may seem like a beneficial drug interaction, it can be rather dangerous. Increasing the white blood cell count too much can increase the risk of very serious problems, such as
strokes and
heart attacks. If your healthcare provider recommends that you take these medications at the same time, more frequent blood counts are necessary to make sure your white blood cell levels do not get too high.
