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Filgrastim

Pronounced

"fill-GRASS-tim"

Common brand names:

Neupogen

Uses

Filgrastim is a man-made version of a certain natural substance made by your body. It is used to help your body make more white blood cells. White blood cells are important to help you fight off infections. Filgrastim is given to people whose ability to make white blood cells is reduced (for instance, due to chemotherapy, chronic neutropenia, or exposure to large amounts of radiation). It is also used in certain treatment procedures (such as bone marrow/stem cell transplant).

This monograph is about the following filgrastim products: filgrastim, tbo-filgrastim, filgrastim-sndz, filgrastim-aafi, and filgrastim-ayow.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use if available from your pharmacist before you start using filgrastim and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Depending on your filgrastim product, this medication is injected under the skin or into a vein. Use as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition, weight, lab tests, and response to treatment.

If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional and the product package. Take the medication out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you inject it to allow it to reach room temperature. Do not shake the medication. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.

If you are injecting this drug under the skin, first clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. Do not inject filgrastim into skin that is bruised, tender, red, hard, or that has scars or stretch marks.

Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.

Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.

If you are receiving cancer chemotherapy, you should not use this medication within 24 hours before or 24 hours after chemotherapy. Ask your doctor for specific directions about when to use this medication.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2024.