Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Neupogen
- Nivestym
- Zarxio
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Hematopoietic
Pharmacologic Class: Colony Stimulating Factor
Uses for filgrastim
Filgrastim injection is used to treat neutropenia (low white blood cells) that is caused by cancer medicines. It is a synthetic (man-made) form of a substance that is naturally produced in your body called a colony stimulating factor. Filgrastim helps the bone marrow to make new white blood cells.
When certain cancer medicines are used to fight cancer cells, they also affect the white blood cells that fight infections. Filgrastim is used to prevent or reduce the risk of infections while you are being treated with cancer medicines. Filgrastim is also used to help the bone marrow recover after a bone marrow transplantation, for a process called peripheral blood progenitor cell collection in cancer patients, and to improve survival in cancer patients who have been exposed to radiation.
Filgrastim is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using filgrastim
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For filgrastim, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to filgrastim or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of filgrastim injection in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in infants younger than 1 month of age.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of filgrastim injection in the elderly. .
