GENERIC NAME: filgrastim

BRAND NAME: Neupogen

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Filgrastim is a man-made protein that is similar to the naturally occurring protein, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). G-CSF is produced in the body by the immune system and stimulates the formation of one type of white blood cell, the neutrophil. Neutrophils take part in the inflammatory reaction. They are responsible for detecting and destroying harmful bacteria and some fungi. Filgrastim is produced by bacteria through the use of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology. Filgrastim belongs to a class of drugs called colony-stimulating factors because of their ability to stimulate cells in the bone marrow to multiply and form colonies. Other colony stimulating factors are epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) and sargramostim (Leukine).

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PRESCRIPTION: yes

PREPARATIONS: Filgrastim is available as a liquid for injection in vials containing 300 or 480 micrograms of drug.

STORAGE: Filgrastim should be stored at 2-8°C (36-46°F) and should not be frozen.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Filgrastim is used to prevent infectious complications associated with a decrease in the number of neutrophils in the body ( neutropenia ). Neutropenia may develop in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Neutropenia also may occur for unknown reasons in adults and infants. Filgrastim is used in healthy patients who will be donating bone marrow if their white blood cell counts are low.

DOSING: Filgrastim is administered intravenously over several hours or subcutaneously (under the skin) for from 6-14 days. Filgrastim vials should not be shaken since the drug may be damaged, and bubbles may form that can prevent some of the drug from being drawn up into the syringe at the time of injection.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: No clinical studies have been done to determine if filgrastim interacts with other drugs.

PREGNANCY: There are no studies of filgrastim use in pregnant women.

NURSING MOTHERS: There are no studies to determine if filgrastim is excreted into breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: Filgrastim is well-tolerated. The most common side effect in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and patients with severe, chronic neutropenia due to cyclical chemotherapy, a birth defect or an unknown cause, is mild to moderate bone pain. Patients receiving filgrastim after bone marrow transplantation commonly experience nausea and vomiting. Patients preparing to donate bone marrow who receive filgrastim commonly experience bone and muscle pain.

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