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Nuelasta v Granix
Anybody heard about changes related to Nuelasta in their clinics? There was evidently a bit of a shakeup in the Nuelasta/Nuepogen world last November, and now there is a drug called Granix that my clinic is replacing Nuelasta with (I think that was the name of it). It is much cheaper than Nuelasta, and has something to do with Nuepogen’s patent expiring and another company selling Granix to compete. I’m assuming the issue is that insurance companies may not approve Nuelasta if there is a cheaper alternative, plus I think doctor’s offices won’t risk not getting a reimbursement for it. Mine was $5000 per shot, so I can understand not wanting to take on that risk.
It sounds to me like the efficacy between the drugs might be similar, but Nuelasta is longer lasting. It therefore requires just one injection following each chemo treatment, while Nuepogen requires one injuection daily for 5-14 days, along with at least 2 blood draws to check WBC count. The Granix drug would be the same—multiple injections.
I bring it up because we often discuss this drug and I’m wondering if anyone receiving chemo lately has been told they have to have Nuepogen (generic Filgrastim) or Granix instead of Nuelasta.
Shirley
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- Age 54 at dx (April '13) Stage 2b, grade 3
- ER+ PR+ HER+, 9 cm tumor one breast and <0.5 cm in sentinal node
- BRCA1 and 2 negative
- Neoadjuvant TCH chemo started 5-15-13 (4 rounds, 3 weeks apart)
- Unilateral Mx w/expander 8-22-13 (right side)
- 5/5 nodes Neg
- clear margins but close. Tumor at removal down to 2.2 cm.
- Radiation 6 wks starting 10-17-13.
- Herceptin every 3 weeks until 4-23-14
- DIEP/Mastopexy 10-8-14, U of WA
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