Filgrastim

Pronunciation: fil-GRA-stim
Generic Name: Filgrastim
Brand Name: Neupogen

Filgrastim is used for:

Decreasing the risk of infection in cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant. It is also used to decrease the risk of infection in patients with weakened immune systems due to other causes.

Filgrastim is a hematopoietic agent. It works by stimulating the production of neutrophils (a type of white blood cells) by bone marrow.

Do NOT use Filgrastim if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Filgrastim


• you are allergic to Escherichia coli (E. coli)-derived proteins

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Filgrastim:

Some medical conditions may interact with Filgrastim. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you are taking lithium or undergoing chemotherapy, growth factor therapy, or radiation therapy


• if you have leukemia, other blood disorders (eg, myelodysplastic syndrome), an infection of the blood or tissue, or sickle cell disease

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Filgrastim. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines.

Ask your health care provider if Filgrastim may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Filgrastim:

Use Filgrastim as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Filgrastim. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Do not shake Filgrastim. Shaking may damage Filgrastim. If the vial or syringe has been shaken, the solution may appear foamy and it should not be used.


• Sickle cell disease patients - Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Filgrastim is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.


• Filgrastim is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Filgrastim at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Filgrastim. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Filgrastim if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Continue to use Filgrastim for the full course of treatment. Do not miss any doses.


• Filgrastim works best if it is taken at the same time each day.


• If you use Filgrastim because you also receive chemotherapy, the last dose of Filgrastim should be used at least 24 hours before your next dose of chemotherapy.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Filgrastim, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Filgrastim.

Important safety information:

• Filgrastim may cause an allergic reaction (rash; hives; itching; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) within 30 minutes after receiving this medication. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction.


• Filgrastim may not prevent all infections. Contact your doctor right away if you develop signs of an infection (eg, fever; chills; rash; sore throat; diarrhea; pain, redness, or swelling around a cut or sore).


• You may experience bone or muscle aches while you use Filgrastim. These symptoms can usually be relieved by a non-aspirin pain reliever (eg, acetaminophen).


• Contact your doctor right away if pain occurs in the left upper stomach area or left shoulder tip area. These could be symptoms of an enlarged or ruptured spleen.


• Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking lithium.


• Lab tests, including blood tests (platelet counts, white blood cell counts), may be performed while you use Filgrastim. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Filgrastim while you are pregnant. It is not known if Filgrastim is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Filgrastim, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Filgrastim:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Bone or muscle pain or ache; cough; headache; nausea; nosebleed; skeletal/muscle pain; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; coughing up blood; diarrhea; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; fast or shallow breathing; fever; lump, swelling, redness, or bruising at an injection site; mouth sores; redness, swelling, or pain around a cut or sore; severe weakness; shortness of breath; shoulder pain; sore throat; stomach pain; sudden increased sweating; wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Filgrastim side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Filgrastim:

Filgrastim is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Filgrastim at home, store Filgrastim as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Filgrastim out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Filgrastim, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Filgrastim is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Filgrastim. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Filgrastim resources

• Filgrastim Side Effects (in more detail)
• Filgrastim Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Filgrastim Drug Interactions
• Filgrastim Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Filgrastim - Add your own review/rating

• Filgrastim Monograph (AHFS DI)


• filgrastim Injection Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Neupogen Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Neupogen Consumer Overview

Compare Filgrastim with other medications

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