UDENYCA®, a biosimilar treatment, is a man-made form of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). G-CSF is a substance produced by the body. It stimulates the growth of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell important in the body’s fight against infection.
Source: UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) package insert. Redwood City, CA: Coherus BioSciences, Inc.; 2019.
Biosimilars are FDA-approved biologic medications that are as safe and effective as the original biologics (known as the reference product). Biosimilars have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product. This means that there is no compromise in safety and effectiveness of the biosimilar when compared to the reference product. Biosimilars introduce competition into the marketplace and can lower the cost of cancer-related treatment.
Source: Biosimilar and interchangeable products. US Food and Drug Administration. Updated October 23, 2017. Accessed May 12, 2020. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/biosimilars/biosimilar-and-interchangeable-products#nodiff
Chemotherapy works by targeting cancerous cells. It can also affect and lower healthy cell counts, including the white blood cells that fight infections.
Source: Tai E, Guy GP, Dunbar A, Richardson LC. Cost of cancer-related neutropenia or fever hospitalizations, United States, 2012. J Oncol Pract. 2017;13(6):e552-e561.
Do not take UDENYCA® if you have had a serious allergic reaction to human G-CSFs such as pegfilgrastim or filgrastim products.
Source: UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) package insert. Redwood City, CA: Coherus BioSciences, Inc.; 2019.
Before you receive UDENYCA®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you have a sickle cell disorder, have kidney problems, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if UDENYCA® will harm your unborn baby), are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if UDENYCA® passes into your breast milk).
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Source: UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) package insert. Redwood City, CA: Coherus BioSciences, Inc.; 2019.
The most common side effects of UDENYCA® are pain in the bones, arms, and legs. These are not all the possible side effects of UDENYCA®. Talk with your doctor about managing bone pain and any other side effects. Be sure to review the Patient Information for more side effect information.
Source: UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) package insert. Redwood City, CA: Coherus BioSciences, Inc.; 2019.
UDENYCA® is given as an injection under your skin (subcutaneous injection) by a healthcare provider the day after chemotherapy treatment.
Source: UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) package insert. Redwood City, CA: Coherus BioSciences, Inc.; 2019.
You will need to return to your healthcare provider the day after chemotherapy to receive UDENYCA®. It’s important to not miss this appointment, so discuss any transportation questions you may have with your healthcare team prior to treatment.