Filgrastim (Injection)

Filgrastim (fil-GRA-stim)

Helps your body make white blood cells. Your body may need this help as a part of cancer treatment or to prevent infections.

Brand Name(s):

Neupogen
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to filgrastim, or any other medicine made from E coli such as pegfilgrastim (Neulasta™).

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into a vein.
• This medicine can be used for several different reasons, so there are different schedules for using it. Make sure you understand your personal schedule.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Do not shake the medicine. Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• If you use the prefilled syringe, make sure you know how to use the needle guard. After giving an injection, slide the needle guard forward over the needle until you hear a "click." The needle guard will safely cover the used needle.
• Each syringe or vial of medicine is good for only one dose. After using one dose of medicine, discard (throw away) the syringe or vial and any leftover medicine. Do not save unused medicine from an opened vial or syringe.

If a dose is missed:

• It is important that you receive each dose of this medicine according to schedule. Call your doctor, pharmacist, treatment clinic, or home health caregiver for instructions if you miss a dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• You may let the medicine warm up to room temperature before you use it. The medicine can stay out of the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Discard any medicine that has been out of the refrigerator for more than 24 hours.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a medicine called lithium.
• You should not receive this medicine at the same time that you receive chemotherapy or radiation treatments. You should not receive this medicine during the 24 hours (1 day) before and after certain chemotherapy treatments.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have sickle cell disease. Your doctor needs to know if you have ever had an enlarged spleen, or if you have psoriasis or similar skin problems.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• The medicine is sometimes used to help prevent infections during cancer treatment. If you think you have an infection, tell your doctor right away. Some signs of an infection are fever, chills, tiredness, weakness, or sore throat.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Fever.
• Slow or shallow breathing.
• Pain in your left side or shoulder, or feeling unusually full.
• Skin redness or blisters.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising, blood in your urine.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Bone, joint, or muscle pain.
• Headache.
• Mild nausea, vomiting.
• Skin pain, redness, itching, or swelling where the needle was placed.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.