Udenyca side effects: What you should know

Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Udenyca in clinical trials:

• pain in the legs and arms
• bone pain (see “Side effect specifics” for details)

Note: The reason “-cbqv” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to distinguish it from current or future biosimilar versions. To learn more about this, refer to the “Generic or biosimilar” section in this article.

Mild side effects can occur with Udenyca use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Udenyca include:

• pain in the legs and arms
• bone pain (see “Side effect specifics” for details)
• mild allergic reaction*

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Udenyca and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* An allergic reaction is possible after receiving Udenyca. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Udenyca may cause serious side effects, although they aren’t common. The side effects listed below were reported after Udenyca became available for use. Because these side effects were not reported in clinical trials of the drug, it’s not clear how often these side effects occurred or whether Udenyca was the cause. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Udenyca, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• aortitis (inflammation of the aorta), which may include symptoms such as:
  • fever
  • back or abdominal pain
  • malaise
• ruptured spleen, which may include symptoms such as:
  • pain in the left shoulder that worsens when breathing in
  • lightheadedness
  • blurred vision
  • upper left abdominal pain
• capillary leak syndrome, which may include symptoms such as:
  • increased thirst
  • fatigue
  • sudden weight gain
  • edema (fluid buildup)
• acute respiratory distress syndrome, which may include symptoms such as:
  • shortness of breath
  • cough
  • blue or pale lips and nails
  • fever
  • confusion
• low level of platelets (cells that help blood clot), which may include symptoms such as:
  • bruising easily
  • bleeding gums
  • nosebleeds
• high level of white blood cells (cells that help fight infection), which typically doesn’t cause symptoms
• glomerulonephritis (see “Side effect specifics” for details)
• severe allergic reaction*

* An allergic reaction is possible after using Udenyca. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Udenyca may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How long do side effects of Udenyca typically last?

It’s not known how long the side effects of Udenyca last. Mild side effects, such as bone pain and pain in the hands and feet, were commonly reported. However, researchers did not provide information on how long these side effects lasted in clinical trials.

If you have questions about what to expect while using Udenyca, talk with your doctor for more information.

Can Udenyca cause long-term side effects?

Long-term side effects with Udenyca are rare, but they can occur. However, some serious side effects of the drug may require extended treatments or a long recovery time. Examples include inflammation of the aorta and ruptured spleen. (To learn more, see the “Serious side effects” section above.)

Some factors can increase the risk of long-term side effects from Udenyca. For example, there have been rare cases of bone marrow cancer in people with breast or lung cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Bone marrow cancer may develop after long-term use of Udenyca or require extended treatment. To learn more, see the “Udenyca precautions” section below.

If you have concerns about long-term side effects with Udenyca, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Udenyca may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Udenyca.

Bone pain

Bone pain has been reported by people receiving Udenyca. This side effect was common in clinical trials of the drug.

Udenyca works in a part of your bone called the bone marrow. How Udenyca causes bone pain isn’t clear but it may be related to how Udenyca works. It’s believed the way the drug works in the bone marrow may cause the body to release histamine. The release of histamine then leads to inflammation in your bones, which causes bone pain.

What you can do

Typically, bone pain is mild and manageable. If you have bone pain during treatment with Udenyca, tell your doctor. They can recommend an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. These can include ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Sometimes, they may also recommend taking an antihistamine, such as loratadine (Claritin).

If your pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medication. In some cases, they may pause or stop your Udenyca treatment. For more information about bone pain and Udenyca, talk with your doctor.

Glomerulonephritis

Udenyca may cause a serious condition called glomerulonephritis. With this condition, there’s inflammation of tiny blood vessels in the kidney called glomeruli. The glomeruli act as tiny filters that remove waste from the blood. If they become damaged, the kidney can’t efficiently remove excess fluids and waste from your body.

This side effect was not reported in clinical trials of the drug but has occurred since the drug became available for use.

Symptoms of glomerulonephritis can include:

• dark-colored or bloody urine
• swelling in your ankles or face
• urinating less than usual
• cough
• foam or bubbles in your urine

What you can do

If you experience any of the symptoms above during Udenyca treatment, tell your doctor right away. They may order certain tests to help diagnose your condition. Your doctor may decrease your dose or have you stop taking Udenyca. These actions will usually clear glomerulonephritis.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Udenyca can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

• skin rash
• itching
• flushing
• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Udenyca. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Udenyca. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Cancer: Certain bone marrow cancers have developed in people taking Udenyca who are also receiving chemotherapy or radiation for breast or lung cancer. These include myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. It’s possible that Udenyca may cause other types of cancer as well. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment Udenyca if you’re currently receiving breast or lung cancer treatment.

Sickle cell disease: If you have sickle cell disease (SCD), taking Udenyca may worsen your condition. There have been reports of sickle cell crises in people with sickle cell anemia (a type of SCD) who have used Udenyca. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have SCD. They can decide if Udenyca is a safe treatment option for you.

Bleeding problems: Udenyca can decrease the level of platelets in your blood, which may lead to bleeding. If you already have a bleeding problem, taking Udenyca may worsen your condition. Talk with your doctor before starting Udenyca if you have bleeding problems. They can discuss the risks and benefits of using this medication with you.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Udenyca or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Udenyca. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding:If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, Udenyca should be safe for you to use. However, you should still talk with your doctor about the possible effects of Udenyca while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Alcohol consumption: There are no known interactions between alcohol and Udenyca. However, Udenyca is used in combination with chemotherapy. Alcohol may worsen the side effects of your chemotherapy treatment. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether alcohol is safe for you to consume while taking Udenyca.

The side effects caused by Udenyca are typically mild. However, some side effects may be severe and require treatment. Talk with your doctor if you develop side effects that are bothersome or serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Udenyca, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

• More information about Udenyca: For details about other aspects of Udenyca, refer to this article.
• Dosage: For information about the dosage of Udenyca, view this article.
• A look at your condition: For details about cancer and related conditions, see our cancer hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.