Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for decreasing the risk of infection in people receiving chemotherapy for non-myeloid cancer and more. Udenyca comes as an injection that can be self-injected or given by a healthcare professional.
Udenyca is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to:
- reduce the risk of infection due to neutropenia in people with non-myeloid cancers
- treat radiation sickness. The type of radiation sickness that Udenyca is used for is called hematopoietic subsyndrome of acute radiation syndrome.
Udenyca is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called granulocyte colony stimulating factors. Udenyca is a biosimilar version of the drug Neulasta.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Udenyca, including its strength and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Udenyca, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Udenyca provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Udenyca dosage that’s right for you.
Below is information about Udenyca’s recommended dosages.
Udenyca form
Udenyca comes in three dosage forms.
- single-dose prefilled pen
- single-dose prefilled syringe
- single-dose prefilled pen with an additional on-body injector
Udenyca strength
Udenyca comes in one strength of 6 milligrams (mg) per 0.6 milliliters (mL) of solution.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for reducing the risk of infection during chemotherapy
Doctors may prescribe Udenyca to reduce the risk of infection during chemotherapy.
If your doctor prescribes Udenyca to reduce infection risk during chemotherapy, your starting dose will likely be 6 mg, given as a subcutaneous injection, an injection under your skin. Typically, you’ll take this once per chemotherapy cycle. Your doctor likely won’t give you Udencya between 14 days before your chemotherapy and 24 hours after your chemotherapy. This is the typical recommended dosage of Udenyca to reduce infection risk. This is also the maximum dose of Udenyca that’s recommended.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for treating radiation sickness
Doctors may prescribe Udenyca to treat radiation sickness. The type of radiation sickness that Udenyca is used for is called hematopoietic subsyndrome of acute radiation syndrome.
If your doctor prescribes Udenyca for radiation sickness, your dosing regimen will likely be two doses of 6 mg, given as subcutaneous injection. Typically, you’ll take the first 6-mg dose right after after exposure to radiation. Your doctor will schedule your second dose 1 week later. This is the typical recommended dosage of Udenyca to increase the chance of survival after radiation. This is also the maximum dose of Udenyca that’s recommended.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Udenyca is FDA approved for the same uses in children as adults, including to help:
- reduce the risk of infection due to neutropenia in children with non-myeloid cancers
- treat radiation sickness. The type of radiation sickness that Udenyca is used for is called hematopoietic subsyndrome of acute radiation syndrome.
The dosage is based on the child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). The dosage per kg is measured in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) and is calculated by your child’s doctor.
Dosage for reducing the risk of infection during chemotherapy
Doctors may prescribe Udenyca to reduce the risk of infection during chemotherapy treatment in children.
If your child’s doctor prescribes Udenyca to reduce infection risk during chemotherapy, the table below highlights what the starting dose is by weight. Typically, your child will take this once per chemotherapy cycle. Their doctor likely won’t give them Udencya between 14 days before their chemotherapy and 24 hours after their chemotherapy.
The table below lists the typical dosing schedule for children taking Udenyca.
| Body weight | Udenyca dose | Volume to provide |
|---|---|---|
| less than 10 kg | 0.01 mg/kg | 0.01 mL/kg |
| 10–20 kg | 1.5 mg | 0.15 mL |
| 21–30 kg | 2.5 mg | 0.25 mL |
| 31–44 kg | 4 mg | 0.4 mL |
| 45 kg and greater | 6 mg | 0.6 mL |
The prefilled autoinjector dosage form can’t be used for children, as the dose can’t be adjusted. Instead, your doctor will prepare your child’s dose with a different dosage form and provide it.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Dosage for treating radiation sickness
Doctors may prescribe Udenyca to treat radiation sickness in children. The type of radiation sickness that Udenyca is used for is called hematopoietic subsyndrome of acute radiation syndrome.
If your child’s doctor prescribes Udenyca for radiation sickness, your child’s dosing regimen will likely be two doses that depend on weight. Typically, your child will take the first dose after exposure to radiation. Their doctor will schedule the second dose 1 week later. Their doctor likely won’t give them Udencya between 14 days before their chemotherapy and 24 hours after their chemotherapy.
The table below lists the typical dosing schedule for children taking Udenyca.
| Body weight | Udenyca dose | Volume to provide |
|---|---|---|
| less than 10 kg | 0.01 mg/kg | 0.01 mL/kg |
| 10–20 kg | 1.5 mg | 0.15 mL |
| 21–30 kg | 2.5 mg | 0.25 mL |
| 31–44 kg | 4 mg | 0.4 mL |
| 45 kg and greater | 6 mg | 0.6 mL |
The prefilled autoinjector dosage form can’t be used for children, as the dose can’t be adjusted. Instead, your doctor will prepare your child’s dose with a different dosage form and provide it.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Udenyca is meant to be taken only after chemotherapy or exposure to radiation. If you’re taking chemotherapy or develop short-term radiation sickness, Udencya will likely be a short-term treatment. If you’re going to receive chemotherapy long term, Udencya may be a long-term treatment as well.
Before you start taking Udenyca, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
The Udenyca dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- a child’s body weight when prescribed Udenyca
- the type of condition you’re taking Udenyca to treat
Udenyca comes as a solution in a single-dose prefilled syringe, prefilled autoinjector pen, and prefilled syringe co-packaged with an on-body injector. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection. With a subcutaneous injection, you’ll inject the medication under your skin.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional can give you Udenyca, or they may prescribe a dosage form that you can self-inject. Your healthcare professional will select the dosage form that’s right for you. If your doctor prescribes the prefilled syringe with an on-body autoinjector, your doctor will fill the on-body autoinjector for you.
If you self-inject Undenya, your doctor may prescribe the prefilled autoinjector pen or prefilled syringe. Only adults can self-inject Udenyca with an autoinjector pen.
Your doctor will likely provide your first dose. Then, they’ll show you (or your caregiver) how to do it. Make sure to inject Udenyca according to your prescribed instructions.
You’ll store Udenyca syringes in the refrigerator at temperatures between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC). Do not freeze.
You can self-inject Udenyca into your abdomen or upper arm. If you use your abdomen, do not inject Udenyca within 2 inches of your belly button.
Be sure to choose a different injection site each time you inject Udenyca. And avoid areas where your skin is tender, hard, or irritated. This will reduce your risk of injection-related side effects, such as bleeding or pain at the injection site.
If you miss a dose of Udenyca, call your doctor as soon as you remember. Your doctor will advise you on when to take your missed dose, as the timing is important.
If your doctor is giving Udenyca to you and you miss your appointment, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Udenyca than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Symptoms of an overdose
Overdose symptoms of Udenyca can include:
- bone pain
- high white blood cell count
- fluid in your arms or legs
- shortness of breath
- fluid in your lungs
If you take more than the recommended amount of Udenyca
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Udenyca. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Udenyca.
Is the dosage of Udenyca similar to the dosage of Neulasta?
Yes, the forms, dosages, and how often you take each drug are similar. Udenyca and Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) are subcutaneous (under the skin) injections and have the same dosage recommendations and dosing frequency. Udenyca is a biosimilar version of Neulasta.
The dose in mg for each drug are the same because they’re biosimilar and have similar active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Udenyca to start working?
Udenyca starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Udenyca treatment.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Udenyca for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Udenyca without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Udenyca that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Udenyca. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Udenyca: For information about other aspects of Udenyca, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Udenyca, see this article. You can also look at the Udenyca prescribing information.
- Details about your condition: For details about cancer, 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.