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, tbo-filgrastim, filgrastim-sndz, filgrastim-aafi, and filgrastim-ayow.
How To Use
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 visually 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 injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. Do not inject filgrastim into skin that is bruised, tender, red, hard, or that has scars or stretch marks.
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.
Side Effects
Dizziness, headache, and aching or pain in the bones, joints, and muscles may occur. Taking a non-aspirin pain reliever such as acetaminophen may help relieve pain. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Redness, swelling, itching, or bruising at the injection site may also occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor 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 right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
- easy bleeding/bruising
- pink/bloody urine
- bloody vomit
- coughing up blood
- fast heartbeat
- fever
- purple/red spots on your skin
- back pain
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:
- breathing problems (such as trouble breathing, fast breathing, shortness of breath)
- unusual decrease in urination
- unusual tiredness
- swelling/puffiness of the body
Rarely, serious (possibly fatal) damage to the spleen may occur. Get medical help right away if you develop stomach/abdominal pain or shoulder pain.
Rarely, this medication may increase the risk of developing a certain bone marrow disorder (myelodysplastic syndrome-MDS) or blood cancer (acute myeloid leukemia-AML) in people with congenital neutropenia or in people with breast or lung cancer who are receiving chemotherapy/radiation. Ask your doctor for more details.
Filgrastim can commonly cause a rash that is usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rare rash that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Get medical help right away if you develop any rash.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
- 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 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
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 any filgrastim or pegfilgrastim products; or to eflapegrastim; 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:
- kidney disease
- sickle cell disease
- spleen problems
- radiation treatment
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This medication 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 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.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, kidney function) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
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.
If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Storage
Store in the refrigerator. If kept at room temperature, use or discard it within the time directed in your product package. Keep the medication in the original package to protect it from light. Do not freeze or shake. 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.
