Name of the Procedure:

Injection, pegfilgrastim-jmdb, biosimilar, common name: Fulphila

Summary

Fulphila is a type of medication given as an injection to help the body make more white blood cells. This is often needed when patients are receiving treatments like chemotherapy, which can lower their white blood cell count and increase the risk of infections.

Purpose

Fulphila is used to prevent infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. By boosting white blood cell production, it helps the body fight off infections better during the critical time when the immune system is weakened.

Indications

• Patients undergoing chemotherapy that significantly lowers white blood cell counts.
• Individuals with conditions leading to neutropenia (a type of low white blood cell count).
• Specific cancers where chemotherapy is likely to reduce white blood cells significantly.

Preparation

• No specific fasting required.
• Patients should inform their healthcare provider about all medications they are currently taking.
• Blood tests may be needed to determine baseline white blood cell counts before starting treatment.

Procedure Description

1. The patient will receive an injection of Fulphila, usually administered in the fatty tissue just under the skin (subcutaneously).
2. Tools: Sterile syringe and needle.
3. The injection can be administered by a healthcare professional or taught to the patient for self-administration.
4. The injection site is typically rotated to avoid irritation.

Duration

The injection itself usually takes just a few minutes to administer, though preparation and post-administration monitoring may take longer.

Setting

Fulphila injections can be given in various settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, or even at home if instructed by a healthcare provider.

Personnel

• Oncologist or primary care physician to prescribe the medication.
• Nurse or trained healthcare provider to administer the injection or teach the patient how to self-administer.

Risks and Complications

Common risks:

• Pain or swelling at the injection site.
• Headache.
• Bone pain.

Rare risks:

• Serious allergic reactions.
• Spleen rupture (very rare but serious).

Complications are often managed with symptomatic treatments, such as pain relievers for bone pain.

Benefits

• Reduced risk of infections during chemotherapy.
• Improved ability to continue and complete chemotherapy as scheduled.
• Benefits are usually realized within a week of injection.

Recovery

• Minimal recovery time; patients can return to normal activities shortly after the injection.
• Follow-up appointments may be necessary to monitor white blood cell counts.

Alternatives

• Other forms of growth factor injections (e.g., filgrastim).
• Dose adjustment in chemotherapy to reduce the risk of low white blood cells.
• Pros of alternatives include different dosing schedules or side effect profiles. Cons might be less convenience or different efficacy rates.

Patient Experience

• Brief discomfort during the injection.
• Possible injection site reactions such as redness or swelling.
• Bone pain is common but manageable with medications.
• Overall, patients can expect to feel more protected against infections during their treatment.