This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.
Filgrastim is used to treat neutropenia (lack of certain white blood cells) in patients receiving certain cancer medications, undergoing a bone marrow transplant, or caused by other conditions.
Filgrastim can be used in a procedure called leukapheresis, where white blood cells needed for a stem cell transplant are removed from the body.
Some brands of filgrastim are also used in patients who have been exposed to a certain amount of radiation.
Filgrastim may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Indications
Filgrastim is used to treat neutropenia (lack of certain white blood cells) in patients receiving certain cancer medications, undergoing a bone marrow transplant, or caused by other conditions.
Filgrastim can be used in a procedure called leukapheresis, where white blood cells needed for a stem cell transplant are removed from the body.
Some brands of filgrastim are also used in patients who have been exposed to a certain amount of radiation.
Filgrastim may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Contraindications
You should not use filgrastim if you are allergic to filgrastim or other granulocyte colony stimulating factor such as pegfilgrastim , tbo-filgrastim , sargramostim , or eflapegrastim .
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
sickle cell disorder; an allergy to latex; radiation treatment; or kidney disease.
Using filgrastim may increase your risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) if you have certain medical conditions. Ask your doctor about this risk.
It is not known if filgrastim will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction : hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Capillary leak syndrome is a rare but serious side effect. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of this condition: stuffy or runny nose followed by tiredness, thirst, decreased urination, trouble breathing, and sudden swelling or weight gain.
Filgrastim can cause your spleen to become enlarged, and it could rupture (tear). Call your doctor right away if you have left-sided upper stomach pain or left shoulder pain.
Filgrastim may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots of your skin or under your skin; stomach pain, discomfort, back pain ; new or worsening cough or coughing up blood; fever with shortness of breath or rapid breathing; signs of sickle cell anemia crisis --pain or difficulty breathing; or kidney problems --swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath.
Common side effects of filgrastim may include:
fever, pain, cough, shortness of breath; nosebleeds; anemia (low red blood cells); bone pain; diarrhea ; headache ; numbness; or rash, hair loss .
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.
High Risk Groups
Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.
Adult Dosage
5 ug/ kg (5 (5)) 24 hourly SC,IV Inf — As an adjunct to chemotherapy, starting not less than 24 hrs after the last dose of antineoplstic.
Child Dosage
No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Neonatal Dosage
5 to 10 ug/kg (7.5 (7.5)) 24 hourly Oral — Forr 3----5 days
Drug Interactions
Do not use filgrastim within 24 hours before or after you receive chemotherapy, or within 24 hours after a bone marrow transplant.
Other drugs may affect filgrastim, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Storage
Inj (reconstituted soln) Store in refrigerator. Do not Freeze. Protect from Sunlight. Use within 24 hrs if kept at room temperature.
