How to increase white blood cells after chemotherapy?

How to increase leukocytes after chemotherapy is a topical issue for many patients who underwent a course of chemotherapy. Let's look at ways to increase leukocytes, drugs and methods of alternative medicine.

Leukocytes are white blood cells that perform the 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 very process of destruction or digestion of leukocytes by pathogenic microorganisms is called phagocytosis.

In norm, in an adult person, per liter of blood there are 4-9x109 leukocytes. Any abnormalities are considered pathological and indicate abnormalities in the functioning of the body. The exception is newborn children, 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.
• Low level of leukocytes in the blood indicates the presence of viruses, infections or cancer. The drop in the level of leukocytes is observed when taking medications and lowering arterial pressure.

Chemotherapy, as a method of treating cancer, suppresses intensively dividing cells. This is the principle of the action of cytostatics. Chemotherapy drugs depress all cells of the body, both tumoral and healthy. Under the influence of drugs fall and hematopoietic stem cells. It is because of this, after chemotherapy, there is a decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood and all the shaped elements. The lowered level of leukocytes must be restored, since the immune system suffers from this. Because of the low level of leukocytes, any scratch and cold is a danger.

[1], [2], [3]

Drugs that increase leukocytes after chemotherapy

Drugs that increase leukocytes after chemotherapy are drugs that restore the level of white blood cells. Lack of leukocytes in the blood is leukopenia, which develops due to the inhibition of cells under the influence of chemotherapy drugs. There are pharmacological agents that are recommended after chemotherapy to stimulate and restore the level of leukocytes 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 drugs that increase the level of leukocytes after chemotherapy, is a group of drugs called colony-stimulating factors. Such medicines increase the number of leukocytes and the duration of their life, accelerate their maturation. Let's look at the most effective and popular drugs that are used to increase white blood cells after chemotherapy.

[4], [5]

Neupogen

Medicinal preparation, clinico-pharmacological group of leukopoiesis stimulants. The form of the drug - injection for injection. 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 the low level of white blood cells.

The active substance of Neupogen - filgrastim, is rapidly absorbed and reaches a maximum concentration in the serum after 3-8 hours. Displays within 24 hours after discontinuation of administration. The drug is contraindicated for patients with severe congenital neutropenia with cytogenetic disorders, simultaneously with any kind of chemotherapy and with increased sensitivity to the components of the drug.

Treatment with Neupogen should only be performed under the full control of an oncologist or hematologist. This allows you to monitor the condition of the patient at the time of taking the drug and to diagnose improvement or deterioration of health.

Leukogen

The drug increases the number of leukocytes in the blood after leukopenia after a course of chemotherapy. The drug is low in toxicity and does not accumulate in the body. The main indications for the use of Leukogen are a decrease in the level of leukocytes in drug and radiotherapy. 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 (with persistent forms of leukopenia).

Leipogen is contraindicated for use with lymphogranulomatosis and malignant neoplasms of the bone marrow. The drug is released in tablets of 0,002 grams, they are released only on the 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 required to strengthen cell growth or to accelerate tissue growth. For ease of use, the drug has several forms of release that are used systemically, both externally and locally. A characteristic feature of Methyluracil is the stimulation of the formation of leukocytes and erythrocytes. The drug is related to leukopoiesis stimulants.

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

Pentoxyl

The drug 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, agranulocyte angina, agranulocytosis, toxic aleukia and benzene poisoning. The drug is released in the form of tablets, duration of application and dosage, selected individually for each patient.

The drug can cause side effects, which manifest as a digestive disorder. The drug is contraindicated for use in malignant bone marrow formations and malignant lesions of lymphoid tissue.

Filgrastim

An effective hematopoietic stimulant with hematopoietic growth factor. The main indications for the use of the drug: a lowered level of leukocytes after chemotherapy with cytotoxic agents for malignant diseases. Filgrastim is used to increase neutrophils and prevent serious recurrent infections in the anamnesis.

The drug can cause side effects that manifest as a reduction in blood pressure, muscle pain, upset urination, an increased level of uric acid. The drug is contraindicated for patients with increased sensitivity to the active substances Filigrastima. With special care, the drug is prescribed for patients with chronic and acute leukemia, during pregnancy and impaired renal and hepatic function.

[6], [7], [8], [9]

Lenograstim

Recombinant drug with 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 the reduction of 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 are manifested 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 to use with increased sensitivity to the components of the drug, with acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Leucomax

The drug is a water-soluble, non-glycosylated protein. The drug is used to treat and prevent the reduction of the number of neutrophils in the blood, with a lowered level of leukocytes due to the 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 can cause side effects, which are manifested as: lack of appetite, stomatitis, muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath, lowering of blood pressure and allergic reactions. The drug is contraindicated for use in myeloid leukemia and hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Alternative methods that increase leukocytes after chemotherapy

Alternative methods that increase leukocytes after chemotherapy are popular and have proven to be highly effective. In alternative medicine, there are many methods that allow increasing the number of leukocytes in the blood, let's look at a few simple but effective methods.

1. Diseases of the blood and a lowered level of leukocytes can be treated with a decoction of raw grains of oats and milk. A handful of oats pour a liter of milk and boil for 20-30 minutes. Once the broth cools, you can take it. Drinking the medicine is recommended throughout the day, the duration of the application - until complete recovery.
2. Broth from the hips is effective in the treatment of anemia and low leukocyte count. To prepare the broth, grind 150 g of rose hips and pour them 2 liters of water. The future broth should be boiled for 10-20 minutes on medium heat and insist for 12 hours. Once the drink is infused, you can drink it instead of tea.
3. Alternative recipes recommend, eat before breakfast 100 g of fresh grated carrot with sour cream, cream or honey. 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 grass sweet clover. 1-2 spoons of herbs, pour 500 ml of water and insist for 4 hours. The course of infusion should be from 1 month.
5. Infusion from the roots of barberry - this is another effective tool for increasing leukocytes in the blood. For treatment, 25% tincture from the roots of barberry, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, is suitable. Before each meal, take a teaspoon of tincture. Similar properties are possessed by a mummy, but it can be accepted only by agreement with an oncologist.
6. To increase leukocytes and red blood cells, you can prepare a medicine from dried nettle leaves. Wipe the leaves of the plant well and mix with honey, in proportions of 1: 1. The medicine should be taken on 1 spoon 3-4 times a day, washed down with water.
7. Decoction of flaxseed helps, cleansing the body of toxic substances that remain after the course of chemotherapy. 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 cook in a water bath. The broth should be taken 1 liter in the afternoon. Duration of application to achieve a therapeutic effect, should be at least 6 months.
8. Pour a couple of spoons of wormwood with boiling water and leave for 15-20 minutes. Infusion should be filtered and taken in a glass before each meal. If desired, wormwood can be replaced with chamomile.

In addition to decoctions and infusions, you can increase the white blood cells after chemotherapy with a diet. Uncontrolled intake of vitamin preparations, biologically active additives, homeopathic remedies - can stimulate the recurrence of cancer. But, correctly composed diet is a pledge of an increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood.

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

1. To increase leukocytes, the diet should include fruits, berries and vegetables of red color (raspberry, currant, cranberry, pomegranate, beet, red pepper).
2. Medicinal properties are buckwheat porridge, since evening filled with kefir. Red fish and 50 grams of red wine per day is an excellent prophylaxis of a lowered level of leukocytes.
3. Fresh beet juice is useful for any cancer. From beet, you can cook not only juice, but eat vegetables in cooked and raw form. As for beetroot juice, before use, it must be insisted in the refrigerator.
4. Decoction of barley seeds qualitatively improves blood composition. 200 g of barley pour a couple of glasses of cold water and cook until the volume of water in half. Before use, the broth is recommended to add or sweeten with honey.
5. Rhodiola pink or golden root is a plant adoptogen that can be purchased at a pharmacy. 20-30 drops of tincture dilute in 50 ml of water and take 3 times a day, before each meal. The course of admission should begin a few days before chemotherapy. This will prevent a decrease in the level of leukocytes.
6. Kashi and soups of lentils, drinks from chicory - perfectly restore the level of leukocytes in the blood.
7. Take a glass of bran germinated wheat grains, a handful of walnuts and a couple of spoons of honey. Chop dry ingredients and mix with honey. The drug will improve hemopoiesis and increase the level of leukocytes in the blood.
8. Therapeutic properties are products containing vitamins B1, B2 and protein. Do not forget about vitaminized drinks. It is recommended to use fruit drinks, juices (pomegranate, cranberry, cranberry, orange).

How to increase the level of leukocytes after chemotherapy? A question that interests both patients with oncological diseases, and oncologists who prescribe treatment and select a course of chemotherapy. To date, there are many methods that contribute to the increase of leukocytes. Oncologists prescribe medications to restore leukocytes and red blood cells. The methods of alternative medicine are also effective and popular. Such methods are safe for health, perfectly tone up the body and have no side effects. But before using one of the methods for the recovery of white blood cells, it is necessary to consult an oncologist.