Anyone treated with Zarxio instead of Neuopogen?

Nibaum
Nibaum Member Posts: 23
edited March 2016 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all,

At my third weekly Taxol/Herceptin treatment this Friday, the NP mentioned that due to my low WBC, I was to come back next Wednesday for a shot.  But instead of Neupogen, it would be Zarxio, a biosimilar product.  I was too out of it to ask why I couldn't get Neupogen. 

So I googled it today and read that Zarxio is the first to win FDA approval to be a biosimilar (generic) drug to Neupogen.   Zarxio has been sold in Europe since 2009 as a cheaper alternative to Neupogen.  It came on the U.S. market in September 2015.   I am assuming my insurance authorized Zarxio instead of Neupogen due to the lower cost.  I'll call my insurance on Monday to double check.   But I know I was approved for Neulasta when I was originally scheduled for the TCH regime, which is given every 3 weeks.  At this time, there is no biosimilar product to the long-lasting Neulasta.

Has anyone else been treated with Zarxio instead of Neupogen?  Are the side effects about the same?

Thanks.

Nibaum

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  • YenniC
    YenniC Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2016

    Hi, I am on day 3 (of 5) of the Zarxio injections after my first TC treatment. I don't know anything about Neupogen, so I can't compare the two. All I know is I feel like hell. Aches, pains, headache. I can't figure out if its the chemo (I had my first infusion Thursday 3/3/16) or its the Zarxio. Just curious...is Neupogen a one-time shot? Zarxio is daily for 5 days and I'm wondering if this prolongs the side effects. XO

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  • Nibaum
    Nibaum Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2016

    YenniC,

    I am sorry you are suffering after your first treatment.   The chemo drugs you are getting are pretty strong.  Some of our aches (esp. in the bones) may be a side effect of Zarxio.   There are many discussions on this forum about Claritin helping reduce the aches from Neupogen.   Use the search function on the left pane and do a search on Neupogen and Claritin.   Since Zarxio is biosimilar to Neupogen, you may want to ask your oncologist if Claritin would help with your aches.

    Neupogen is usually given in multiple injections if needed.   Neulasta is the drug that is given in a single injection.  Its more expensive than Neupogen and can only be given if you get chemo every 3 weeks.  Even if you are on a 3 week schedule, you may not get Neulasta because it is more costly.  From what I read, the side effects of Neulasta is even more intense than Neupogen.

    I hope you start feeling better soon!

    Nibaum


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