FILGRASTIM - INJECTION
Common Brand Name(s): Neupogen
Phonetic Pronunciation: (fill-GRASS-tim)
Information last revised July 2010
What does FILGRASTIM-INJECTION look like?
Neupogen 300 mcg/mL Injection
Neupogen 480 mcg/1.6 mL Injection
Neupogen 300 mcg/0.5 mL Syringe
Neupogen 480 mcg/0.8 mL Syringe
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.
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. Avoid shaking this medication; doing so may make the drug ineffective. This medication is given by injection usually once a day until the proper blood counts are reached. Dosage is based on your medical condition 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. Remove the medication from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you inject it to allow it to reach room temperature. 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. 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. If you are giving yourself injections at home, make sure you learn how to prepare and inject this medication properly. 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. Before using, check this product visually for particle or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. 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.
Drug Interactions
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: lithium. 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. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Medical Alert
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
Precautions
Before using filgrastim, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; 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.
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.
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.
