Neupogen Drug Interactions

When lithium or chemotherapy medications are combined with Neupogen, drug interactions may occur that could lead to potentially serious complications. Taking lithium with Neupogen can increase your risk for strokes or heart attacks. Using Neupogen within 24 hours before or after chemotherapy can increase low white blood cells. To help prevent Neupogen interactions, tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking.

 

Neupogen Drug Interactions: An Overview

Neupogen® (filgrastim) can potentially interact with a few other medications. Some of these medicines that may lead to Neupogen drug interactions include:
 

Neupogen Interactions Explained

The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when Neupogen is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
 
Chemotherapy Medications
Neupogen should not be taken within 24 hours before or after chemotherapy. Neupogen stimulates the bone marrow, and chemotherapy tends to target rapidly growing cells (such as stimulated bone marrow cells). Therefore, using Neupogen just before or after chemotherapy may actually increase the risk of low white blood cells. Usually, Neupogen is given the day after chemotherapy to avoid this interaction.
 
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
Lithium and Neupogen 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.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;