What is oprelvekin (injectable)?
Oprelvekin is a protein that stimulates production of platelets in the blood. Platelets are
important for proper clotting of the blood and for wound healing.
Oprelvekin is used to prevent platelets from becoming dangerously low in certain people
receiving chemotherapy that can result in bone marrow suppression or the need for blood platelet
transfusions.
Oprelvekin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking oprelvekin (injectable)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to oprelvekin.
Before using oprelvekin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
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congestive heart failure;
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a heart rhythm disorder;
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a history of heart disease or stroke;
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a history of fluid around your liver, heart, or lungs;
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a seizure disorder; or
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kidney disease.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely use oprelvekin.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether oprelvekin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take oprelvekin (injectable)?
Oprelvekin is given as an injection under the skin of your stomach, thigh, hip, or upper arm.
Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how
to inject your medicine at home.
Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and
properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Avoid shaking the medication vial (bottle). You may gently swirl the vial, but vigorous shaking
can ruin the medicine.
Use a different skin area each time you give yourself an injection. Do not inject this medicine
into the same place on your body twice in a row.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container
out of the reach of children and pets.
Treatment with oprelvekin is usually started 6 to 24 hours after chemotherapy is completed.
Your blood will then need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments..
It may take up to 21 days of using this medicine before your platelets increase. For best
results, keep using the medication as directed.
Oprelvekin must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before injecting it. Do not draw your dose into
a syringe until you are ready to give yourself an injection. The prepared dose must be used within 3
hours after mixing it.
Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for
a new prescription.
Store unused oprelvekin vials and diluent syringes in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
A vial of oprelvekin should be used only once. Throw away any medicine still in the vial after
mixing your dose.
What happens if I miss a dose of oprelvekin (injectable)?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of this medication.
Where can I get more information about oprelvekin (injectable)?
Your pharmacist has information about oprelvekin (injectable) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of oprelvekin (injectable)?
Stop using oprelvekin and get emergency medical help if you have any of
these signs of an allergic reaction:
fever, rash, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing,
confusion, fainting, hives, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Once you have had
an allergic reaction to oprelvekin, you must never use it again.
Stop using oprelvekin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
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feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
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swelling, rapid weight gain;
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chest pain, fast or uneven heartbeats;
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sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the
body;
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sudden headache, confusion, problems with speech, or
balance;
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feeling light-headed, fainting;
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fever, chills, tingling, body aches, flu symptoms;
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urinating less than usual, or not at all;
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dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, confusion, nausea,
vomiting, muscle pain or weakness;
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sudden vision loss, headache or pain behind your eyes, with
vomiting; or
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white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.
Less serious side effects may include:
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redness of your eyes;
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headache, dizziness, sleep problems (insomnia);
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
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skin redness, pain, or irritation where the medicine was
injected; or
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runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about oprelvekin (injectable)?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have
congestive heart failure, kidney disease, a heart rhythm disorder, a seizure disorder, or a history of heart
disease, stroke, or fluid retention around your liver, heart, or lungs.
Stop using oprelvekin and get emergency medical help if you have any of
these signs of an allergic reaction:
fever, rash, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing,
confusion, fainting, hives, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Once you have had an allergic reaction to oprelvekin, you must never use it
again.
Other serious side effects of oprelvekin include swelling or rapid weight gain, chest pain,
uneven heartbeats, sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, problems with speech or balance, and
sudden vision loss or pain behind your eyes. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side
effects.
Treatment with oprelvekin is usually started 6 to 24 hours after chemotherapy is completed.
Your blood will then need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
It may take up to 21 days of using this medicine before your platelets increase. For best
results, keep using the medication as directed.
What should I avoid while taking oprelvekin (injectable)?
Avoid making any changes in your diet while using this medication. Oprelvekin can cause fluid
retention and swelling. Your doctor may recommend a low-salt diet to prevent this condition.
What other drugs will affect oprelvekin (injectable)?
There may be other drugs that can affect oprelvekin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription
and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of oprelvekin (injectable)?
