Guest guest Posted March 7, 2003 Report Share Posted March 7, 2003 What is the most important information I should know about filgrastim? • Do not give yourself an injection if you are unsure how to inject yourself, how much to inject, or how often to inject your medication. Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to go over the instructions with you. • Contact your doctor if you develop a fever; chills; sore throat; congestion; diarrhea; or redness, pain, or swelling around a wound or sore while using filgrastim. Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- What is filgrastim? • Filgrastim is a protein that stimulates the production of white blood cells. White blood cells are important for protecting the body from infection. • Filgrastim is used to increase white blood cells, and to decrease the risk of infection, in conditions such as cancer; bone marrow transplant; pre-chemotherapy blood cell collection; and severe chronic neutropenia including congenital neutropenia, cyclic neutropenia, and idiopathic neutropenia. • Filgrastim may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Who should not use filgrastim? • You cannot use filgrastim if you have an allergy to the bacterium E. coli. You may also be allergic to filgrastim. • Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you · are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy; · have myeloid (bone marrow) cancer; · have kidney disease; or · have liver disease. • You may not be able to uses filgrastim or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. • Filgrastim is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether filgrastim will harm an unborn baby. Do not use filgrastim without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. • It is also not known whether filgrastim will harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- How should I use filgrastim? • Use filgrastim exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. • Filgrastim can be used subcutaneously (SC) or intravenously (IV). If you are injecting your medication at home, your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give you specific instructions on how and where to inject your medication. Do not give yourself an injection if you are unsure how to inject yourself, how much to inject, or how often to inject your medication. Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to go over the instructions with you. • Try to receive your injections at the same time each day. • Rotate your injection sites as directed and inject the medication slowly. • Do not shake any vial of filgrastim. It can be gently swirled if mixing is needed. Do not use any medication that is discolored or that particles in it. • Use each vial filgrastim for only one dose then throw away any remaining solution. Do not re-enter the vial. • The vial of medication can be allowed to reach room temperature by leaving it out of the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before injecting a dose. Do not leave the vial in direct sunlight. Neupogen can remain at room temperature for up to 24 hours. If it is unrefrigerated for longer than 24 hours, throw the vial away. • Properly store and discard all syringes and needles. • Your doctor will want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests while using filgrastim. • Store this medication in the refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit) away from light, moisture, and the reach of children. Do not allow it to freeze. If a vial of medication is accidentally frozen, it can be thawed in the refrigerator and used at a later time. If the vial is frozen a second time, do not use it at all. Discard all unused medication on the expiration date. Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- What happens if I miss a dose? • Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of this medication by more than a few hours. Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- What happens if I overdose? • Seek emergency medical attention. • Symptoms of a filgrastim overdose are not known. Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- What should I avoid while using filgrastim? • There are no restrictions regarding foods, beverages, or activities during treatment with a filgrastim unless your doctor directs otherwise. Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- What are the possible side effects of filgrastim? • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using filgrastim and seek emergency medical treatment or notify your doctor immediately: · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); · a fever (over 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius); or · signs of infection such as chills; sore throat; congestion; diarrhea; or redness, pain, or swelling around a wound or sore • Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use filgrastim and talk to your doctor if you experience: · bone pain; · nausea; or · swelling, redness, or pain at the injection site. • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- What other drugs will affect filgrastim? • Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you · are taking lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithane, others); or · are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. • You may not be able to use filgrastim or you may require special monitoring if you are taking any of the medications listed above. • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with filgrastim. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Where can I get more information? • Your pharmacist has additional information about filgrastim written for health professionals that you may read. Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Brand Names: • Neupogen Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. The information in this leaflet is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. © Multum Information Services 1999. Version: 1.010. Revision date: 3/26/99. Medscape for Physicians | Medscape for Healthcare Professionals Corporate | Contact Us Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy and Agreement ©1996-2003 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2003 Report Share Posted March 7, 2003 Also interesting. My hepatologist probably wouldn't fear using Neupogen but my GP, knowing this, certainly would not prescribe it to me. Doug More about Neupogen Who should not use filgrastim? . You cannot use filgrastim if you have an allergy to the bacterium E. coli. You may also be allergic to filgrastim. . Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you . are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy; . have myeloid (bone marrow) cancer; . have kidney disease; or . have liver disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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