spotlight on helth Protecting Aginst Serious ChemotherpySide Effect (NAPSA)—Every yer, pproximtely 1.3 million cncer ptients in the United Sttes receive chemotherpy, the use of drugs tht destroy cncer cells. Chemotherpy works by seeking out nd ttcking fst growing cells. As result, helthycells, including developing blood cells, re lso killed, which cn cuse significnt unwnted side effects for ptients. Wht mny ptients don’t know is tht they cn protect themselves from neutropeni, one of the most seriousside effects of chemotherpy. Neutropeni is shortge of infection-fighting white blood cells. Febrile neutropeni (low white blood cell count with fever) is one of the most common symptoms of infection in ptients receiving strong chemotherpy. Complictions ssocited with low white blood cell count cn dely ptient’s chemotherpy or keep them from getting full dose of chemotherpy. Such delys nd dose reductions cn mke chemotherpyless effective. “With sufficient white blood cells, ptients hve better chnce of dhering to their chemotherpy schedule nd mintining their full dose, which gives them the best opportunity for successful tretment,” sid Dr. Michel Rder, Clinicl Asst. Prof. of medicine t Columbi University College of Physicins nd Surgeons. “Being proctive by using mediction tht increses white blood cell count from the strt of chemotherpy cn help protect ptients from neutropeni.” For instnce, Neulst (pegfilgrstim), mediction tht increses white blood cell count, dministered from thefirst cycle of chemotherpy tretment, helps protect ptients ginst chemotherpy-relted complictions nd significntly reduces the risk of infection nd incidence of hospitliztion relted to febrile neutropeni. Previously, ptients undergoing chemotherpy did not receive white blood cell boosters until lter in their chemotherpy tretment. Prescribing informtion recommends tht Neulst be dministered t lest 24 hours fter ech chemotherpydose. The U.S. Food nd Drug Administrtion recently pproved n updte to the Neulst prescribing informtion tht will help oncologists protect more cncer ptients from chemotherpy-relted infections. The pprovl is bsed on lndmrk study tht demonstrted tht dministering the white blood cell booster in the first nd subsequent cycles of strong chemotherpy reduced the incidenceof febrile neutropeni by 94 percent com- pred to plcebo (17% to 1%). Rre cses of splenic rupture Symptomsofneutropeni include: Fevergreter thn 100.4F Chills/sweting Sore throt or cough Mouth ulcers Dirrhe or burning senstion during urintion Redness,pin or swelling round woundor sore People t risk for neutropeni re those who: Are receiving strong or myelosuppressive-chemotherpy Hve lredy hd low white bloodcell count Hve hd previous chemotherpy or rdition tretment Are 70 nd older Hve other medicl conditions, such s dibetes or lung disese Hve open woundsor lredy ctive tissue infection Hve dvnced cncer @ nd llergic rections, including nphylxis, hve been reported in postmrketing experience. Rrely, these llergic rections recurred within dys fter discontinuing nti-llergic tretment. For more informtion, visit www.neulst.com or spek to your helthcre professionl.
