Neumega

Neumega is a prescription medication used in preventing low platelet counts in patients being treated for cancer.

It is a synthetic version of the naturally-occurring substance called interleukin-11, which is produced by the bone marrow cells to help make platelets. Platelets are important to the proper blood clotting.

If you are about to start Neumega, speak with your doctor about what you need to know.

Before using this drug, you and your doctor must consider the following:

• Allergies: If you have any unusual reaction to any medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about it. Additionally, disclose other types of allergies - foods, preservatives, animals, or dyes, if there are any. Read the package ingredients carefully and make sure you are not allergic to any of its ingredients.
• Pediatric: Using this drug has caused tendon and joint problems in young animals, which makes it possible that children may experience these effects when using it.
• Geriatric: Studies show that using this drug in the elderly does not cause problems or side effects other than what younger adults normally experience.
• Pregnancy: Animal studies show that using this drug during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the developing fetus.
• Breastfeeding: Although there are no adequate studies in lactating mothers that determine potential risk in an infant when breastfeeding, the benefits should be weighed against the risks before taking this medication.

• Drug Interactions: Some drugs have adverse effects when used together. Make sure to inform your doctor about other drugs you are taking, so that alterations and precautions will be made if necessary. Before using this drug, talk to your doctor about possible interactions if you are taking other medications.

  It is also important to inform your doctor if you are smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol since these may interact with the drug’s effectiveness. Inform your doctor about any drug you are using, prescription or nonprescription, as well as vitamin and herbal supplement.

• Other Medical Problems: Your doctor may not allow you to use this drug or may take extra cautionary actions if you have certain medical conditions.

  Inform your doctor if you have any health issues before using this drug, particularly if you have congestive heart failure, atrial arrhythmias, fluid build-up in the lungs or abdomen, or myeloablative chemotherapy.

To use Neumega properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Your doctor will teach you how to administer the drug yourself, including preparation, proper use of syringes, administration, and disposal of syringes.

In using Neumega, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. Regular visits to your doctor are very important to make sure that oprelvekin is working properly, as well as to check your progress and see if there are unwanted effects.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Neumega. Some of the side effects may need special medical attention, while some may not. Some patients may not even experience any side effects at all.

Some of the common side effects from using this drug include:

• Fluid retention
• Fast heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat
• Sore mouth or tongue
• White patches in mouth
• Swelling of feet or lower legs
• Blurred vision
• Bloody eye
• Severe redness of skin
• Peeling of skin

If any of these side effects become more bothersome or do not disappear after a few days or weeks, consult your doctor.