Filgrastim: Uses, Side Effects & Dosage | Healio

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This guide cannot diagnose a condition or recommend a personal treatment plan. Discuss medical questions with a qualified professional.

Topics

Filgrastim

Brand Names

Granix, Neupogen, Nivestym, Nypozi, Releuko, Zarxio

Generic Name

filgrastim

Phonetic Name

(fil-GRA-stim)

Clinical Uses

Filgrastim is a man-made version of a certain natural substance made by your body. It is used to help your body make more white blood cells. White blood cells are important to help you fight off infections. Filgrastim is given to people whose ability to make white blood cells is reduced (for instance, due to chemotherapy, chronic neutropenia, or exposure to large amounts of radiation). It is also used in certain treatment procedures (such as bone marrow/stem cell transplant). This monograph is about the following filgrastim products: filgrastim, filgrastim-aafi, filgrastim-ayow, filgrastim-sndz, filgrastim-txid, and tbo-filgrastim.

Dosage and Administration

Administration Notes

Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use if available from your pharmacist before you start using filgrastim and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your filgrastim product, this medication is injected under the skin or into a vein. Use as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition, weight, lab tests, and response to treatment. If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional and the product package. Take the medication out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you inject it to allow it to reach room temperature. Do not shake the medication. Before using, check this product for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. If you are injecting this drug under the skin, first clean the skin you are going to inject into (the injection site) with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. Do not inject into skin that is bruised, tender, red, hard, or that has scars or stretch marks. To lessen bruising, do not rub the injection site after a shot. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. If you are receiving cancer chemotherapy, you should not use this medication within 24 hours before or 24 hours after chemotherapy. Ask your doctor for specific directions about when to use this medication.

Missed Dose Instructions

It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Label Warnings

Keep in refrigerator. Do not freeze. Do not shake Protect from light Bring to room temperature before preparing for use. If brought to room temperature, this product expires after _______________.

Indications

chemotherapy-induced neutropenia
prevention of neutropenia from cancer chemotherapy

congenital neutropenia
cyclic neutropenia
hematopoietic syndrome of acute radiation syndrome
idiopathic neutropenia
neutropenia secondary to AML treatment
peripheral mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells
severe chronic neutropenia

AIDS-associated neutropenia
drug-induced neutropenia
myelodysplastic syndrome
myeloid engraftment enhancement

Contraindications

acute respiratory distress syndrome
alveolar hemorrhage
glomerulonephritis
leukocytosis
nontraumatic splenic rupture
sickle cell disease

cutaneous vasculitis

Common Adverse Effects

Arthralgia
Bone pain
Cough
Fatigue
Fever
Headache disorder
Hypoesthesia
Myalgia
Nausea
Pain
Pruritus of skin
Skin rash
Vomiting

Back pain
Dyspnea
Epistaxis
Erythema
Maculopapular rash
Pain in extremities
Petechiae

Alopecia
Chest pain
Diarrhea
Drug-exacerbated psoriasis
General weakness
Hematuria
Proteinuria
Upper respiratory infection
Urinary tract infection

Serious Adverse Effects

Hypertension
Injection site sequelae
Leukocytosis
Peritonitis

Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Alveolar hemorrhage
Anaphylaxis
Aortitis
Capillary leak syndrome
Cutaneous vasculitis
Extramedullary hematopoietic mass
Glomerulonephritis
Hemoptysis
Hepatomegaly
Nontraumatic splenic rupture
Osteoporosis
Pulmonary hemorrhage
Splenomegaly
Supraventricular arrhythmias
Sweet's syndrome
Thrombocytopenic disorder

Elderly Precautions

Pregnancy Precautions

PrecautionSeverityNarrativeFILGRASTIMRequires a Risk/Benefit AssessmentInsufficient human data available on developmental toxicity risk. Transplacental transfer has been reported. Consider maternal treatment benefits versus potential fetal/neonatal adverse outcomes. Animal data suggest no developmental toxicity at doses less than 10 times the maximum recommended human dose.

Lactation Precautions

SeverityNarrativePrecautionPOOR ORAL BIOAVAILABILITY

Pediatric Precautions

SeverityNarrativeManagement or Monitoring PrecautionRare reports of development of MDS and AML with underlying congenital neutropenia and chronic use. Rare postmarketing reports of decreased bone density with extended use.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Filgrastim is very similar to pegfilgrastim. Do not use a pegfilgrastim product while using a filgrastim product. This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as bone imaging tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Storage Requirements

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze or shake. Keep the medication in the original packaging to protect from light. This medication may also be stored at room temperature if needed. If the medication is stored at room temperature, discard it within the time directed in your product package. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

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Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by FDB, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution in professional health care settings.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your healthcare professional. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you. You should consult your healthcare professional before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. See our full terms of use.

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking any drug or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.