G-CSF is a type of growth factor. You might have G-CSF after chemotherapy to help your white blood cells recover after treatment. Or you might have it before and after a stem cell transplant.
There are different types of G-CSF, including:
- lenograstim (Granocyte)
- filgrastim (Neupogen, Zarzio, Nivestim, Accofil)
- long acting (pegylated) filgrastim (pegfilgrastim, Neulasta, Pelmeg, Ziextenco) and lipegfilgrastim (Lonquex)
Pegylated G-CSF stays in the body for longer so you have treatment less often than with the other types of G-CSF. This type of G-CSF is not commonly used in the NHS.
How G-CSF works
Growth factors are proteins made in the body. Some of them make the bone marrow produce blood cells. G-CSF is a type of growth factor that makes the bone marrow produce more white blood cells so it can reduce the risk of infection after some types of cancer treatment.
G-CSF also makes some stem cells move from the bone marrow into the blood. Stem cells are very early cells that develop into red blood cells, white cells and platelets.
Before a stem cell transplant, you have G-CSF to stimulate the bone marrow to produce stem cells and release them into the blood. The stem cells are collected and then you have high dose chemotherapy.
The high dose of chemotherapy stops your bone marrow producing blood cells. So you have the stem cells infused back into your bloodstream. They go into the bone marrow and start making the different types of blood cells again.
How you have it
Most people have G-CSF as an injection under the skin. You can also have it as a drip into your bloodstream (intravenously).
Injection under your skin
You usually have injections under the skin (subcutaneous injection) into the stomach, thigh or top of your arm.
You might have stinging or a dull ache for a short time after this type of injection, but they don't usually hurt much. The skin in the area may go red and itchy for a while.
The video below shows you how to inject just under your skin (subcutaneously).
Transcript
Nurse: This is a short film showing you how to give an injection just under your skin. This is called a subcutaneous or sub cut injection. This does not replace what your doctors and nurses tell you, so always follow their advice.
Voiceover: Subcutaneous injections may be part of your cancer treatment. Or, you may need them to prevent side effects of treatment, such as blood clots after surgery. Or to help control cancer symptoms, such as pain or sickness.
Most injections come in prefilled syringes.
Nurse: So, today I am going to show you how to give a subcutaneous injection. I am going to start by giving it into a practice cushion and then you can have a go at giving one yourself. Before you start, you need to get your equipment together. What you are going to need is an alcohol wipe to clean your skin, some cotton wool, a prefilled syringe and a sharps bin. It is important that you wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly before you start. Check that you have got the correct drug and that it is in date.
You can give the injection into the back of your arm, your tummy, your thigh or the outer part of your bottom. It is important that you vary where you give the injection. So it may be that you give it one day in your tummy and the next in your thigh.
So you start by cleaning the skin with the alcohol wipe and allowing it to air dry. Then you take the cover off the needle and pinch the skin up and hold it a bit like a pen and in an upright position, in a quick dart like motion pop it straight down into the skin. Then you press the plunger right to the end, quickly pull the needle out, dab it with cotton wool, pop the needle into the sharps bin. And then you need to wash your hands again.
So here’s what you are going to need. If you start by checking the drug and the expiry date. And then with the alcohol wipe give your skin a clean. That’s it give it a few seconds for the air to dry it. Ok and then if you want to pick up the syringe and take the cover off the needle. Then pinch your skin up and at a ninety degree angle gently push the needle in...then press the plunger...and then quickly remove it... dab your skin with the cotton wool and put the syringe in the sharps bin.
Into your bloodstream
You might have treatment through a long plastic tube that goes into a large vein in your chest. The tube stays in place throughout the course of treatment. This can be a:
- central line
- PICC line
- portacath
If you don't have a central line
You might have treatment through a thin short tube (a cannula) that goes into a vein in your arm. You have a new cannula each time you have treatment.
Tests
You have blood tests before and during your treatment. They check your levels of blood cells and other substances in the blood. They also check how well your liver and kidneys are working.
Side effects
How often and how severe the side effects are can vary from person to person. They also depend on what other treatment you are having.
When to contact your team
Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will go through the possible side effects. They will monitor you closely during treatment and check how you are at your appointments. Contact your advice line as soon as possible if:
- you have severe side effects
- your side effects aren’t getting any better
- your side effects are getting worse
We haven't listed all the side effects here. Remember it is very unlikely that you will have all of these side effects, but you might have some of them at the same time.
You usually have G-CSF after chemotherapy, so it’s not always clear if the side effect are caused by G-CSF or chemotherapy.
The side effects listed below are for the G-CSF drug filgrastim.
Common side effects
These side effects happen in more than 10 in 100 people (more than 10 %). You might have one or more of them. They include:
Bone or muscle pain
You might experience pain in your bones or muscles. Speak to your doctor as they can prescribe medicine to help.
Headaches
Tell your healthcare team if you keep getting headaches. They can give you painkillers to help.
Tiredness and weakness (fatigue)
Tiredness and weakness (fatigue)
can happen during and after treatment. Doing gentle exercises each day can keep your energy up. Don't push yourself, rest when you start to feel tired and ask others for help.Bruising, bleeding gums or nosebleeds
This is due to a
drop in the number of platelets in your blood
. These blood cells help the blood to clot when we cut ourselves. You may have nosebleeds or bleeding gums after brushing your teeth. Or you may have lots of tiny red spots or bruises on your arms or legs (known as petechiae).Diarrhoea
Contact your advice line if you have
diarrhoea
, such as if you've had 4 or more loose watery poos (stools) in 24 hours. Or if you can't drink to replace the lost fluid. Or if it carries on for more than 3 days.Your doctor may give you anti diarrhoea medicine to take home with you after treatment. Eat less fibre, avoid raw fruits, fruit juice, cereals and vegetables, and drink plenty to replace the fluid lost.
Feeling or being sick
Feeling or being sick
is usually well controlled with anti sickness medicines. Avoiding fatty or fried foods, try eating small meals and snacks, drinking plenty of water, and relaxation techniques can all help.It is important to take anti sickness medicines as prescribed even if you don’t feel sick. It is easier to prevent sickness rather than treat it once it has started.
High temperature (fever)
If you get a high temperature, let your healthcare team know straight away. Ask them if you can take paracetamol to help lower your temperature.
Breathlessness and looking pale
You might be
breathless and look pale
due to a drop in red blood cells. This is called anaemia.Hair thinning
Your hair may thin but you’re unlikely to lose all
your hair
. This usually starts after your first or second cycle of treatment. It is almost always temporary and your hair will grow back when you finish your treatment.Sore mouth, throat, gut and back passage
It may be painful to swallow drinks or food . Or you might also have diarrhoea and pain if your bowel is inflammed.This can be caused by inflammation of the mucosa (thin lining of the internal organs).
Painkillers can help to reduce the soreness. And mouth washes can help keep your mouth healthy. There might also be numbing gel you could use for your back passage when having a poo.
Let your healthcare team know if you notice any of these symptoms.
Occasional side effects
These side effects happen in between 1 and 10 out of every 100 people (between 1 and 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include:
- enlarged spleen and liver - this might cause tummy (abdominal) pain
- swollen hands and feet (oedema)
- reddening of the skin and rash. Rarely the rash might be bumpy. Tell your team if this happens, they might be able to give you some medicine to help.
- constipation
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- breathlessness and cough - rarely this could be due to scarring, stiffening or inflammation of the lungs, or a drop in the levels of oxygen in the blood
- pain or difficulty passing urine
- increased risk of getting an infection
- loss of appetite
- tingling or numbness of the hands or feet (paraesthesia) loss of feeling of sensitivity, especially in the skin (hypoaesthesia)
- high levels of an enzyme in your blood that can be a sign of injury to your body’s tissues – you have regular blood tests to check this
- high or low blood pressure – you might have headaches or feel faint
- muscle spasms
- generally feeling unwell
- chest pain
- pain
- a reaction during the infusion – you might get a rash, shortness of breath, redness or swelling of the face and dizziness – tell your team straight away
Rare side effects
This side effects happens in fewer than 1 in 100 people (fewer than 1%). You might have one or more of them. They include:
- high number of white blood cells in the blood
- an allergic reaction that can cause a rash, shortness of breath, redness or swelling of the face and dizziness - some allergic reactions can be life-threatening alert your nurse or doctor if notice any of these symptoms
- rejection of transplanted bone marrow (graft versus host disease)
- leaking of fluid and proteins out of the blood vessels into the tissues (capillary leak syndrome)
- high uric acid levels in the blood that may cause gout – you have regular blood tests to check this
- blockages of the small veins in the liver causing liver damage
- inflammation around the drip site
- changes in your lungs as seen on an x-ray
- high levels of enzymes in the blood that could be a sign of liver damage – you have regular blood tests to check this
- thinning of the bones which can make the bones weaker and easier to break (osteoporosis)
- small amounts of protein found in your urine
- severe pain in the bones, chest, gut or joints (sickle cell anaemia with crisis)
- plum coloured, raised, painful sores on the your legs or arms and sometimes the face and neck with a high temperature (Sweets syndrome)
Coping with side effects
We have more information about side effects and tips on how to cope with them.
What else do I need to know?
Latex allergy
The needle cover of some of the syringes are made from a natural rubber called latex. If you have an allergy to latex this might cause you to have an allergic reaction. Please let your healthcare team know if you have a latex allergy.
Other medicines, foods and drink
Cancer drugs can interact with some other medicines and herbal products. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you are taking. This includes vitamins, herbal supplements and over the counter remedies.
Sorbitol
This drug contains a type of sugar called sorbitol. If you have an intolerance to some sugars, ask your doctor if it is safe for you to take this drug.
Pregnancy and contraception
This treatment might harm a baby developing in the womb. It is important not to become pregnant or get someone pregnant while you're having treatment and for a few months afterwards.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about effective contraception before starting treatment. Let them know straight away if you or your partner falls pregnant while having treatment.
Fertility
It is not known whether this treatment affects fertility in people. Talk to your doctor before starting treatment if you think you may want to have a baby in the future.
Breastfeeding
Don’t breastfeed during this treatment because the drug may come through into your breast milk.
Treatment for other conditions
Always tell other doctors, nurses, pharmacists or dentists that you’re having this treatment. For example, if you need treatment for anything else, including teeth problems.
More information about this treatment
For further information about this treatment and possible side effects go to the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website. You can find the patient information leaflet on this website.
You can report any side effect you have to the Medicines Health and Regulatory Authority (MHRA) as part of their Yellow Card Scheme.
This page is due for review. We will update this as soon as possible.
