No, Fulphila is a prescription medicine used to boost the number of white blood cells in cancer patients receiving chemo. Fulphila is a man-made form of a protein known as a colony stimulating factor used to help prevent neutropenia (low white blood cells) and possible infections due to chemotherapy.
Lower levels of white blood cells can increase your risk for infection and fever, especially during chemotherapy. Colony stimulating factors stimulate the bone marrow to make more neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, which move into your bloodstream and fight infection.
Colony stimulating factors can help you stay on track with your cancer treatments, but not everyone needs medicine to increase their white blood cells during chemotherapy. Your doctor will determine your need for this treatment.
Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmbd) is a biosimilar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim). Neulasta was the first pegfilgrastim agent approved in 2002. Fulphila, approved in June 2018, was the first biosimilar to Neulasta. It is made by Mylan Pharmaceuticals.
Biosimilars to Neulasta include:
- Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmbd)
- Fylnetra (pegfilgrastim-pbbk)
- Nyvepria (pegfilgrastim-apgf)
- Stimufend (pegfilgrastim-fpgk)
- Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv)
- Ziextenzo (pegfilgrastim-bmez)
A biosimilar is a biological product that is highly similar to a U.S.-licensed reference biological. Biosimilars can provide cost-effective treatment options to already approved biologics.
Related: What Are Biosimilars? Top Facts You May Not Know
How is Fulphilia given?
Fulphila is given by your healthcare provider as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once per chemotherapy cycle. It is not injected into a vein. You should not receive this medicine between 14 days before and 24 hours after your chemotherapy.
If approved by your doctor, you or your caregiver may be able to give these injections at home after adequate training. Fulphila is not given by using an on-body injector (OBI) for use at home.
Before you inject this medicine, read and follow the detailed “Instructions for Use'' that comes with your Fulphila. These instructions provide information on how to prepare and inject a dose of Fulphila. If you do not have the instructions, ask your pharmacist for a copy.
This is not all the information you need to know about Fulphila for safe and effective use. Review the full product information here and discuss any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.