If you’re receiving cancer treatment that increases your risk of infections, your doctor might suggest Udenyca as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used to prevent neutropenia (a low level of certain white blood cells) with fever in adults and children.
The active ingredient in Udenyca is pegfilgrastim-cbqv.* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
Udenyca is part of a group of drugs called granulocyte colony-stimulating factors. These drugs help the body make more white blood cells to replace the ones lost during chemotherapy. These drugs are also called biologics, which means they are made from
This article describes the typical dosages of Udenyca, as well as its strength and how to use it. To learn more about Udenyca, including details about its use, see this in-depth article.
Note: This article covers Udenyca’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drugmaker. But when using Udenyca, always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
* The reason “-cbqv” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.
This section contains information about the usual dosages of Udenyca for adults and children.
Note: This table highlights the basics of Udenyca’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more details.
| Udenyca form | Udenyca strength | Udenyca dosage for adults | Udenyca dosage for children |
| liquid solution in a single-dose prefilled syringe | 6 milligrams (mg)/0.6 milliliters (mL) | 6 mg once during each round of chemotherapy | If the child weighs less than 45 kilograms (kg),* dosage is based on weight. |
* One kg is about 2.2 pounds (lbs.). So 45 kg is about 99 lbs.
What is the form of Udenyca?
Udenyca comes as a liquid solution in a syringe prefilled with 0.6 mL of the drug. This is the amount of Udenyca needed for a single injection.
What strength does Udenyca come in?
Udenyca comes in one strength: 6 mg/0.6 mL.
What are the usual dosages of Udenyca?
Your doctor will likely start you on the usual dosage of Udenyca and stay at that dosage during your treatment. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage and frequency that provides the desired effect. Your chemotherapy regimen will help determine how often Udenyca is given.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But if you’re giving yourself injections, be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, a healthcare professional will give you your Udenyca dose in a clinic or doctor’s office.
You’ll usually receive 6 mg of Udenyca as an injection just under your skin. At first, a healthcare professional will administer the injection for you. They may instruct you on how to administer the drug yourself or have a caregiver do it for you.
You’ll have one injection for each round of chemotherapy. When you need to have the injection may vary. Your doctor will let you know when you should receive your dose of Udenyca.
What’s the dosage of Udenyca for children?
If your child weighs 45 kg or more, their dosage will typically be the same as the adult dosage of Udenyca. One kg is about 2.2 pounds (lbs.). So 45 kg is about 99 lbs.
If your child weighs less than 45 kg, their dosage will be based on their body weight. This table has the usual dosages for children based on ranges of body weight. But your child’s doctor will prescribe the dosage that is best for your child.
| Weight | less than 10 kg | 10 kg to 20 kg | 21 kg to 30 kg | 31 kg to 44 kg |
| Dose | 0.1 mg/kg* | 1.5 mg | 2.5 mg | 4 mg |
* The doctor will calculate this dose based on how many kg the child weighs.
Udenyca comes in a prefilled syringe for one adult dose. If your child needs a different dose, a healthcare professional will administer it. You likely will not give your child their dose at home.
Is Udenyca used long term?
Udenyca is used during certain types of chemotherapy treatment, which could be long term or short term. It will depend on your condition and the type of chemotherapy medication you’re receiving. You and your doctor will determine how long you’ll use Udenyca.
Dosage adjustments
If your child is taking Udenyca, their dose may change if their weight changes. For more information, see the table in the “What’s the dosage of Udenyca for children?” section above.
If you develop certain serious conditions that affect your blood, breathing, or kidney function, your doctor may temporarily pause or discontinue your Udenyca treatment. Your doctor may order tests to check you for these conditions during treatment. Talk with your doctor about which tests you may need to have while receiving Udenyca.
The dosage of Udenyca you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re using the drug to treat
- your age
- your weight
- the chemotherapy medication you’re taking
- other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” just above)
Below is information about how Udenyca is administered.
You’ll receive Udenyca as an injection under your skin. A healthcare professional may give you every dose. Another possibility is that you or your caregiver will be trained to give the dose at home.
You’ll receive your Udenyca dose once for each round of chemotherapy during a specific window of time. This will usually be at least 14 days before or 24 hours after your chemotherapy treatment.
Giving yourself Udenyca doses at home
This section provides an overview of giving yourself Udenyca injections at home. Before you use Udenyca, your doctor will give you detailed instructions for injecting the drug. Be sure to follow their instructions. The drugmaker’s website also has a step-by-step guide with pictures.
Take a tray with a single syringe out of the refrigerator. Let it warm to room temperature for at least 30 minutes but no more than 48 hours.
Wash your hands well, then take the syringe out the tray to inspect it. Make sure the liquid in it is not cloudy and does not have solid particles in it. Do not shake the syringe.
Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe. The injection site can be the back of your upper arm, your belly, your thigh, or your outer buttock. Remove the needle cap on the syringe. Pinch your skin and insert the needle into the pinched skin at an angle between 45 to 90 degrees.
After you’ve inserted the needle all the way, let go of your skin and use that hand to push the plunger. Push the plunger slowly all the way down. Then let the plunger rise back on its own and wait for the safety guard to cover the needle. Remove the syringe from the injection site and dispose of it safely.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Udenyca, see this article. If you want to inject Udenyca at home, talk with your doctor about a demonstration and training.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you think you will need to miss an appointment for your Udenyca treatment, let your doctor know as soon as possible. They’ll reschedule your appointment.
If you give yourself Udenyca doses at home, ask your doctor or pharmacist what to do if you miss a dose. You should only give yourself a dose at least 14 days before chemotherapy or 24 hours after chemotherapy.
If you need help remembering appointments for your dose of Udenyca or when to give yourself a dose, try using a calendar or a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not use more Udenyca than your doctor prescribes as this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
What to do in case you receive too much Udenyca
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve received too much Udenyca. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drugmaker. If your doctor recommends Udenyca for your treatment plan, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
If you give yourself doses of Udenyca, you should not change your dosage without your doctor’s recommendation. Only use the drug exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Can I give myself the Udenyca injection instead of coming in for an appointment?
- Does my Udenyca dose change if I start a different chemotherapy regimen?
- How often should I rotate the injection site for my Udenyca dosage?
- Do I need to prepare for my Udenyca dosage appointment?
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.