How to raise white blood cells after chemotherapy?

How to increase leukocytes after chemotherapy is a pressing issue for many patients who have undergone chemotherapy. Let's look at ways to increase leukocytes, medications, and traditional medicine methods.

Leukocytes are white blood cells that perform protective functions of the body. It is the leukocyte cells that destroy pathogenic agents that come from outside or are produced in the body. The process of destruction or digestion of pathogenic microorganisms by leukocytes is called phagocytosis.

Normally, an adult has 4-9x109 leukocytes per liter of blood. Any deviations are considered pathological and indicate problems in the functioning of the body. The exception is newborns, who have 3-4 times more leukocytes per liter of blood than adults.

• If there is a high level of leukocytes in the blood, this indicates good resistance and protection of the body. Leukocytes quickly restore damaged tissues and protect the body from viruses and bacteria.
• A low level of leukocytes in the blood indicates the presence of viruses, infections or cancer. A drop in the level of leukocytes is observed when taking medications and low blood pressure.

Chemotherapy, as a method of treating oncological diseases, suppresses intensively dividing cells. This is the principle of action of cytostatics. Chemotherapy drugs suppress all cells of the body, both tumor and healthy. Hematopoietic stem cells also fall under the influence of drugs. It is because of this that after chemotherapy, a decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood and all formed elements is observed. A reduced level of leukocytes must be restored, since the immune system suffers from this. Due to the low level of leukocytes, any scratch or cold is dangerous.

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Drugs that increase white blood cells after chemotherapy

Medicines that increase white blood cells after chemotherapy are drugs that restore the level of white blood cells. A lack of white blood cells in the blood is leukopenia, which develops due to cell suppression under the influence of chemotherapy drugs. There are pharmacological agents that are recommended to be taken after chemotherapy to stimulate and restore the level of white blood cells in the blood. Medicines stimulate leukomyelopoiesis and promote the release of white blood cells into the bloodstream, protect cells from damage and stabilize their membrane.

The first place among the drugs that increase the level of leukocytes after chemotherapy is occupied by a group of drugs called colony-stimulating factors. Such drugs increase the number of leukocytes and their lifespan, accelerate their maturation. Let's look at the most effective and popular drugs that are used to increase leukocytes after chemotherapy.

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Neupogen

A medicinal product of the clinical and pharmacological group of leukopoiesis stimulants. The drug is available as an injection solution. Neupogen is taken both independently and after chemotherapy to mobilize stem cells into the peripheral bloodstream. The drug increases the number of leukocytes, accelerates their growth and reduces the incidence of infectious complications due to low levels of white blood cells.

The active substance of Neupogen is filgrastim, which is rapidly absorbed and reaches maximum concentration in the blood serum within 3-8 hours. It is excreted within 24 hours after discontinuation of administration. The drug is contraindicated for use in patients with severe congenital neutropenia with cytogenetic disorders, simultaneously with any type of chemotherapy and in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Treatment with Neupogen should only be carried out under the full supervision of an oncologist or hematologist. This allows monitoring the patient's condition at the time of taking the drug and diagnosing improvements or deterioration in health.

Leukogen

The drug increases the number of leukocytes in the blood in leukopenia after a course of chemotherapy. The drug is low-toxic and does not accumulate in the body. The main indications for the use of Leukogen are a decrease in the level of leukocytes during drug and radiation therapy. The dose of the drug is selected individually for each patient, and the course of treatment is from one week to a month or more (in persistent forms of leukopenia).

Leupogen is contraindicated for use in lymphogranulomatosis and malignant neoplasms of the bone marrow. The drug is available in tablets of 0.002 g, and is dispensed only with a doctor's prescription.

Methyluracil

The drug is an intensive stimulator of growth and restoration of body tissues. It is widely used in various industries where it is necessary to enhance cell growth or accelerate tissue growth. For ease of use, the drug has several forms of release, which are used systemically, both externally and locally. A characteristic feature of Methyluracil is stimulation of the formation of leukocytes and erythrocytes. The drug belongs to leukopoiesis stimulators.

The main indications for the use of the drug are chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other conditions that are accompanied by a decrease in the level of leukocytes in the blood. Methyluracil is contraindicated for use in chronic and acute leukemic forms of leukemia, malignant lesions of the bone marrow and lymphogranulomatosis. Dosage and duration of use are selected individually for each patient.

Pentoxyl

A medicine to increase the level of leukocytes after chemotherapy, actively destroys harmful microorganisms and damaged cells, stimulating the growth of new ones. The main indications for the use of the drug: leukopenia of various etiologies, agranulocytic angina, agranulocytosis, toxic aleukia and benzene poisoning. The drug is available in tablet form, the duration of use and dosage are selected individually for each patient.

The drug may cause side effects that manifest as digestive disorders. The drug is contraindicated for use in malignant tumors of the bone marrow and malignant lesions of the lymphoid tissue.

Filgrastim

An effective hematopoietic stimulator with hematopoietic growth factor. The main indications for the use of the drug: decreased white blood cell count after chemotherapy with cytotoxic agents for malignant diseases. Filgrastim is used to increase neutrophils and prevent severe recurrent infections in the anamnesis.

The drug may cause side effects that manifest as decreased blood pressure, muscle pain, urinary disorders, and increased uric acid levels. The drug is contraindicated for use in patients with hypersensitivity to the active substances of Filigrastim. With special caution, the drug is prescribed to patients with chronic and acute leukemia, during pregnancy and impaired renal and hepatic function.

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Lenograstim

A recombinant drug with a colony-stimulating factor. Lenograstim stimulates the growth of leukocytes and bone marrow cells, increases the number of neutrophils. The main indications for the use of the drug: treatment and prevention of a decrease in neutrophils and leukocytes in the blood after a course of chemotherapy and taking other chemotherapeutic antitumor agents.

Side effects occur due to incorrect dosage and manifest as a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, pain at the injection site, muscle pain and bone pain. The drug is contraindicated for use in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, in acute and chronic myeloleukemia.

Leukomax

The drug is a water-soluble non-glycosylated protein. The drug is used to treat and prevent a decrease in the number of neutrophils in the blood, with a reduced level of leukocytes due to a course of chemotherapy, with myelodysplastic syndromes and after bone marrow transplantation. The drug is taken only under the supervision of a doctor, after selecting an individual dosage.

Leukomax may cause side effects that manifest as: loss of appetite, stomatitis, muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure and allergic reactions. The drug is contraindicated for use in myeloid leukemia and hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Folk methods to increase leukocytes after chemotherapy

Folk methods that increase leukocytes after chemotherapy are popular and have proven themselves to be highly effective. In folk medicine, there are many methods that allow you to increase the number of leukocytes in the blood, let's look at several simple but effective methods.

1. Blood diseases and low white blood cell counts can be treated with a decoction of unpeeled oat grains and milk. Pour a liter of milk over a handful of oats and boil for 20-30 minutes. Once the decoction has cooled, it can be taken. It is recommended to drink the medicine throughout the day, and continue to use it until complete recovery.
2. Rosehip decoction is effective in treating anemia and low white blood cell count. To prepare the decoction, grind 150 g of rosehip and pour 2 liters of water over them. The future decoction must be boiled for 10-20 minutes over medium heat and infused for 12 hours. Once the drink is infused, it can be drunk instead of tea.
3. Folk recipes recommend eating 100 g of freshly grated carrots with sour cream, cream or honey before breakfast. This method improves hemoglobin in the blood and increases the number of leukocytes.
4. After a course of chemotherapy, to increase the level of leukocytes, you can prepare an infusion of sweet clover. Pour 1-2 tablespoons of the herb into 500 ml of water and leave for 4 hours. The course of use of the infusion should be from 1 month.
5. Infusion of barberry roots is another effective remedy for increasing white blood cells in the blood. A 25% tincture of barberry roots, which can be purchased at a pharmacy, is suitable for treatment. Before each meal, you need to take a teaspoon of tincture. Shilajit has similar properties, but it can only be taken with the consent of an oncologist.
6. To increase leukocytes and erythrocytes, you can prepare a medicine from dried nettle leaves. Grind the leaves of the plant thoroughly and mix with honey in proportions of 1:1. The medicine should be taken 1 spoon 3-4 times a day with water.
7. A decoction of flaxseed will help cleanse the body of toxic substances that remain after a course of chemotherapy. The decoction increases the number of leukocytes in the blood, improves their growth and protective properties. Pour a couple of spoons of seeds with boiling water and boil in a water bath. The decoction should be taken 1 liter in the afternoon. The duration of use to achieve a therapeutic effect should be at least 6 months.
8. Pour boiling water over a couple of spoons of wormwood and let it brew for 15-20 minutes. Strain the infusion and take a glass before each meal. If desired, wormwood can be replaced with chamomile.

In addition to decoctions and infusions, you can increase leukocytes after chemotherapy with the help of a diet. Uncontrolled intake of vitamin preparations, biologically active additives, homeopathic remedies can stimulate relapses of cancer. But a properly composed diet is the key to increasing the number of leukocytes in the blood.

A diet to increase white blood cells should consist of fermented milk and seafood, buckwheat and oatmeal, berries, vegetables and fruits, honey, nuts, sprouted grains, beans, and red wine. Let's look at the basic rules of nutrition to increase white blood cells:

1. To increase white blood cells, your diet should include red fruits, berries and vegetables (raspberries, currants, cranberries, pomegranate, beets, red peppers).
2. Buckwheat porridge, soaked in kefir in the evening, has medicinal properties. Red fish and 50 g of red wine per day are an excellent preventative measure against low white blood cell count.
3. Fresh beet juice is useful for any oncological diseases. You can make not only juice from beets, but also eat the vegetable boiled and raw. As for beet juice, before drinking, it must be infused in the refrigerator.
4. A decoction of barley seeds qualitatively improves the composition of the blood. Pour 200 g of barley with a couple of glasses of cold water and boil until the volume of water is reduced by half. Before use, it is recommended to add salt or sweeten the decoction with honey.
5. Rhodiola rosea or golden root is a plant adaptogen that can be purchased at a pharmacy. Dilute 20-30 drops of tincture in 50 ml of water and take 3 times a day, before each meal. The course of treatment should be started a few days before chemotherapy. This will prevent a decrease in the level of leukocytes.
6. Porridges and soups made from lentils, and chicory drinks are excellent for restoring the level of leukocytes in the blood.
7. Take a glass of sprouted wheat bran, a handful of walnuts and a couple of spoons of honey. Grind the dry ingredients and mix with honey. The remedy will improve hematopoiesis and increase the level of leukocytes in the blood.
8. Products containing vitamins B1, B2 and protein have medicinal properties. Don't forget about vitamin-enriched drinks. It is recommended to drink fruit drinks, juices (pomegranate, lingonberry, cranberry, orange).

How to increase the level of leukocytes after chemotherapy? A question of interest to both cancer patients and oncologists who prescribe treatment and select a course of chemotherapy. Today, there are many methods that help increase leukocytes. Oncologists prescribe medications to restore leukocytes and erythrocytes. Traditional medicine methods are also effective and popular. Such methods are safe for health, perfectly tone the body and have no side effects. But before using one of the methods to restore leukocytes, you must consult an oncologist.