Rolvedon (eflapegrastim or eflapegrastim-xnst) is used to lower your risk of infection while you have low white blood cells due to certain anticancer medications. It's injected under the skin once per chemotherapy cycle. Some common side effects include feeling tired, nausea, diarrhea, and bone pain.
Infection prevention in adults receiving anticancer medications (for all cancers, except for myeloid cancers) that can cause low white blood cell counts (or febrile neutropenia)
Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) is a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). It works like the G-CSF protein that you naturally have in your body. G-CSF triggers your bone marrow to make neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps your body fight infections.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Works well to shorten the time of having severe low white blood cells after chemotherapy
Only needs to be given once per chemotherapy cycle
No known interactions with other medications
Injections can be uncomfortable
Must be given by a trained healthcare provider
No lower-cost generic available
The timing of when you get your Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) dose is important. Use a calendar to keep track of when you should get your injection.
Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) is injected under the skin by a trained healthcare provider. This can sometimes cause temporary reactions around the site of injection that can be uncomfortable. Talk to your provider about how to treat this if it happens to you.
If you miss a dose of Rolvedon (eflapegrastim), contact your healthcare provider to schedule your dose right away. Waiting too long can put you at risk for severe low white blood cells and infections.
Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Some people have experienced enlarged spleens after receiving colony-stimulating factor medications like Rolvedon (eflapegrastim). This has sometimes led to death because of damage or burst in the spleen. Contact your provider if you notice any pain in the upper left stomach area or in your shoulder.
Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) can cause a serious breathing condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It causes fluid to leak in your lungs, which prevents enough oxygen from getting into your blood and to your organs. If you experience ARDS, your provider will ask you to stop Rolvedon (eflapegrastim). Get medical help right away if you have shortness of breath, fever, or fast breathing.
Risk factors: Allergy to Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) or similar medications
Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) can cause serious allergic reactions, which can be life threatening. Don't take Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) if you've ever had an allergic reaction to it or a similar medication, like Neupogen (filgrastim). If you experience rash, trouble breathing, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, get medical attention right away.
Risk factors: Sickle cell anemia
Sickle cell crisis (painful episode) can happen in people with sickle cell anemia while receiving Rolvedon (eflapegrastim). In more severe cases, it could be deadly. If this happens, your healthcare provider will stop the medication.
Some people taking medications similar to Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) have experienced kidney injury, such as inflammation of the kidneys. If your provider suspects that you have kidney problems, you might need to get blood work done so they can check your kidney health. Then, they can decide if they need to lower your dose of or pause Rolvedon (eflapegrastim). If you have kidney problems from the medication, your condition will usually get better once your provider lower the dose. Let your provider know if you notice red or dark brown urine, or that you're not urinating as much.
Colony-stimulating factor medications like Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) can cause capillary leak syndrome (CLS). CLS is a serious condition where fluid leaks out of your small blood vessels. A common sign of this is low blood pressure, but certain lab results can also suggest CLS. Talk to your provider if you notice low blood pressure (e.g., dizziness, fainting), tiredness, stomach pain, extreme thirst, or sudden weight gain. Your provider will need to examine you further and provide treatment if needed.
Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) is a growth factor that primarily triggers the production of white blood cells in the body. But there's also a possibility for it to promote the growth of other types of tumors. Some people reported developing blood-related cancers and bone marrow problems when they used Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) as part of their treatment plan for breast or lung cancer along with chemotherapy or radiation. Your providers will check your labs closely and might stop Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) if the the benefits no longer outweigh the risks.
Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) has been linked to a condition caused by inflammation of blood vessels called aortitis. This condition could happen as early as the first week after starting treatment. Let your provider know if you experience fever, stomach pain, back pain, or feel unwell so you can be checked out.
Your provider will order blood tests regularly to check your blood cell counts. This is because there's a risk that Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) can cause [high white blood cell count] (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560882/) and low platelet counts. If you have changes in your blood cell count, your provider might ask to stop Rolvedon (eflapegrastim).
The typical dose is 13.2 mg injected under the skin once per chemotherapy cycle (24 hours after chemotherapy) by a trained healthcare provider. Please see the FAQ section for more details.
Infection prevention in adults receiving anticancer medications (for all cancers, except for myeloid cancers) that can cause low white blood cell counts (or febrile neutropenia)
Infection prevention in people with certain cancers receiving anticancer medications that can cause low white blood cells (or febrile neutropenia)
Increase survival in people exposed to bone marrow-suppressing radiation (Neulasta only)
People getting bone marrow-suppressing chemotherapy
People with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after induction or consolidation chemotherapy
People with cancer who received bone marrow transplants
People with severe, long-term neutropenia (low neutrophils)
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American Cancer Society. (2023). Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia).
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National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). G-CSF.
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022). What is acute respiratory distress syndrome?
Patel, K., et al. (2017). Febrile neutropenia. Journal of the American Medical Association Oncology.
Schwartzberg, L.S., et al. (2020). Eflapegrastim, a long‐acting granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor for the management of chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia: Results of a phase III trial. The Oncologist.
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2023). Rolvedon- eflapegrastim-xnst injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Vasculitis Foundation. (n.d.). Aortitis.
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