Why do they not prescribe Grastofil (filgrastim) during chemotherapy

[Islandboy2021]

When I started 6 rounds of chemotherapy in 2017 I was not aware of the drug filgrastim. During my second infusion I had complications due to a very high fever and was hospitalized for 5 days. I was given intravenous full spectrum antibiotics every 4 hours for the 5days. After this I was prescribed Grastofil before the next 4 infusions. My question is why don't they just prescribe Grastofil at every infusion to be safe. Does this drug lesson the performance of the chemotherapy. Or is it just an extra cost to the health care system.

[Ian99]

It’s a good question. I’m liable to get Docetaxel next and would like to mitigate the toxic SEs. But Filgrastim looks to have its own set of non negligible SEs.

[CAMPSOUPS]

Interesting question. I had bad SE's to it.

[CAMPSOUPS in reply to CAMPSOUPS]

The drug does ask a lot of your bone marrow. It's like inducing labor in a woman.

[Mrtroxely]

I thought it helped bones produce extra white blood cells.But that injection caused me lots pain

At times needed oramorph for pain in my ribs...

[spencoid2]

I don't know about filgrastim but I am getting Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim) but only when my WBC is low. I get blood work before every infusion and get the Neulasta only if necessary. I have not questioned about side effects since I am currently having very few. I am definitely against taking drugs without reason. Some people get on a drug and just keep taking it forever with no regard for whether they need it or not.