Generic Name: filgrastim (fil GRAS tim)
Brand Names: Neupogen, Neupogen SingleJect
What is filgrastim?
Filgrastim is a man-made form of a protein that stimulates the growth of white blood cells in your body. White blood cells help your body fight against infection.
Filgrastim is used to treat neutropenia, a lack of certain white blood cells caused by cancer, bone marrow transplant, receiving chemotherapy, or by other conditions.
Filgrastim may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about filgrastim?
Before using filgrastim, tell your doctor if you have sickle cell disorder, a blood cell disorder, chronic myeloid leukemia, myelodysplasia (also called "preleukemia"), or if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, syringes, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with filgrastim. Your liver function will also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using filgrastim?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to filgrastim or to other medicines that contain the E. coli bacteria.
To make sure you can safely use filgrastim, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
sickle cell disorder;
a blood cell disorder;
chronic myeloid leukemia;
myelodysplasia (also called "preleukemia"); or
if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether filgrastim will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether filgrastim 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 use filgrastim?
Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Filgrastim is injected into a vein or under the skin. You may be shown how to use an IV 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, syringes, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Filgrastim should not be given within the 24-hour period before or after you receive chemotherapy. Do not shake the medication bottle or prefilled syringe, or you may ruin the medicine. Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Use a different place on your arms, stomach, hips, or legs each time you give the injection. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
A filgrastim vial or prefilled syringe is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left inside. Do not use filgrastim if the expiration date on the label has passed. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Use a disposable needle only once. 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.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with filgrastim. Your liver function will also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store this medication in the refrigerator and do not allow it to freeze. You may allow the medication to reach room temperature for 24 hours before measuring your dose in a syringe. Then place the vial back in the refrigerator. Throw away any filgrastim that has been left out at room temperature for longer than 24 hours.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember, but not within the 24-hour period before or after you receive chemotherapy treatment. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using filgrastim?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Filgrastim side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using filgrastim and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
sudden or severe pain in your left upper stomach spreading up to your shoulder;
rapid breathing or feeling short of breath; or
signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, unusual weakness.
Less serious side effects may include:
diarrhea, constipation;
bone pain;
muscle aches;
hair loss;
headache, tired feeling;
mild skin rash; or
itching, swelling, or redness where the medicine was injected.
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.
Filgrastim Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy:
Initial dose: 5 mcg/kg subcutaneously or IV once a day for up to 2 weeks, until the absolute neutrophil count reaches 10,000/mm³. Administer no earlier than 24 hours after the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. May be increased after 5 to 7 days if the neutrophil response is inadequate by 5 mcg/kg increments with each chemotherapy cycle. Efficacy has been observed at doses of 4-8 mcg/kg/day.
Usual Adult Dose for Myelodysplastic Syndrome:
5 mcg/kg subcutaneously or IV once a day. If after 5 to 7 days the neutrophil count is not adequate, the dose may be increased by 5 mcg/kg.
Usual Adult Dose for Bone Marrow Transplantation:
10 mcg/kg/day by continuous subcutaneous infusion or IV infusion once a day. Therapy is generally started 24 hours after bone marrow transplantation and continued for 2 to 4 weeks. When ANC >1000/mm³ for 3 days, reduce dose to 5 mcg/kg/day. If after 5 to 7 days the neutrophil count is not adequate, the dose may be increased by 5 mcg/kg.
Usual Adult Dose for Neutropenia Associated with AIDS or Zidovudine:
1 to 5 mcg/kg subcutaneously or IV once a day. If after 5 to 7 days the neutrophil count is not adequate, the dose may be increased by 5 mcg/kg.
Usual Adult Dose for Peripheral Progenitor Cell Transplantation:
10 mcg/kg subcutaneously or IV once a day for at least 4 days before the first leukapheresis procedure and continued until the last leukapheresis; 5 to 24 mcg/kg/day, with 5 mcg/kg/day being an effective dose for most patients. Myeloid recovery dosages are continued until a consistent absolute neutrophil count of >500 cells/mm² is reached. Dose modification should be considered with a white blood cell count >10,000 cells/mm³.
Usual Adult Dose for Neutropenia:
6 mcg/kg subcutaneously twice a day. Chronic administration is required.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Neutropenia:
>3 m:
Neonatal: 5 to 10 mcg/kg once daily.
Congenital: 6 mcg/kg/dose twice daily.
Idiopathic or Cyclic: 5 mcg/kg once daily.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy:
Initial dose: 5 mcg/kg subcutaneously or IV once a day for up to 2 weeks, until the absolute neutrophil count reaches 10,000/mm³. Administer no earlier than 24 hours after the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. May be increased after 5 to 7 days if the neutrophil response is inadequate by 5 mcg/kg increments with each chemotherapy cycle. Efficacy has been observed at doses of 4 to 8 mcg/kg/day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Aplastic Anemia:
Study (n=4)
400 mcg/m² per day by IV infusion.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Sepsis:
10 mcg/kg daily
What other drugs will affect filgrastim?
Before using filgrastim, tell your doctor if you are also using lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid).
There may be other drugs that can interact with filgrastim. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More filgrastim resources
- Filgrastim Side Effects (in more detail)
- Filgrastim Dosage
- Filgrastim Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Filgrastim Drug Interactions
- Filgrastim Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Filgrastim - Add your own review/rating
- filgrastim Injection Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Filgrastim Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Filgrastim MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Neupogen Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Neupogen Consumer Overview
Compare filgrastim with other medications
- Aplastic Anemia
- Bone Marrow Transplantation
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- Neutropenia
- Neutropenia Associated with AIDS or Zidovudine
- Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy
- Peripheral Progenitor Cell Transplantation
- Sepsis
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about filgrastim.
See also: filgrastim side effects (in more detail)
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