GENERIC NAME: FILGRASTIM - INJECTION (fil-GRAS-tim)
BRAND NAME(S): Neupogen
Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: This medication stimulates the blood system (bone marrow) to make white blood cells, helping you fight infections. This medication is given to those whose ability to make white blood cells has been reduced. Filgrastim (also known as G-CSF, or granulocyte colony stimulating factor) is a man-made version of a certain natural substance found in the body. It is produced using a certain bacteria.
HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using filgrastim and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.This medication is given by injection into a vein or under the skin, usually once a day or as directed by your doctor, until the proper blood counts are reached. Dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to therapy. Use the exact amount of drug prescribed by your doctor. Too little drug may not protect you against infections. Too much drug may cause your body to make too many white blood cells.If you are giving yourself injections at home, make sure you learn how to prepare and inject this medication properly. If you are injecting this drug under the skin, choose a new injection site each time you give yourself a dose. This will help prevent soreness. Never inject filgrastim into skin that is tender, red, bruised, and hard or has scars or stretch marks. Ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse any questions you may have about how to give yourself filgrastim. Learn how to properly dispose of used syringes, needles, and any unused medication. Never reuse needles or syringes.Remove the medication from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you inject it to allow it to reach room temperature.Avoid shaking this medication; doing so may make the drug ineffective.Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.If you are receiving cancer chemotherapy, you should not be given filgrastim at the same time. You should receive filgrastim either before or after the chemotherapy, depending on your blood count results and your doctor's directions.
SIDE EFFECTS: Aching in the bones and muscles may occur. Taking a non-aspirin pain reliever such as acetaminophen may help with this pain. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Nosebleeds or injection site reactions such as redness, swelling, itching, lumps or bruising may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bleeding/bruising, bloody urine, bloody vomit, fast/irregular heartbeat, fever, muscle pain, joint pain, fast breathing, trouble breathing.Rarely, possibly fatal damage to the spleen may occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following side effects: stomach/abdominal pain, and/or shoulder pain.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using filgrastim, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to tbo-filgrastim/pegfilgrastim; or to other medications made in a similar manner (biotechnology-produced proteins using E. coli); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as dry natural rubber/latex in the needle cover on the prefilled syringe), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: sickle cell disease, heart disease, spleen problems, other blood disorders (e.g., myelodysplastic syndrome, congenital neutropenia), certain skin disorders (e.g., psoriasis).If you are scheduled to have radiation therapy, tell your doctor you are taking filgrastim. This medication should not be given during the time you are receiving radiation therapy.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
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 tbo-filgrastim. Do not use filgrastim while using tbo-filgrastim.This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (e.g., bone tests such as bone imaging). Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.This medication must be taken under close medical supervision so your blood counts can be monitored. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood and platelet counts) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Refrigerate between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Do not freeze or leave out in direct sunlight. If this medication is left out of the refrigerator, it is only stable for up to 24 hours. Avoid shaking. Keep all medicines 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 for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised November 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. 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 particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
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