Neupogen

What you should know before using

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group 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.

Pediatrics

Although there is no specific information comparing use of colony stimulating factors in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults. In Canada, data from clinical trials in children indicate that the safety of filgrastim is similar in both adults and children receiving certain cancer medicines. Sargramostim may contain benzyl alcohol and should not be given to infants because it could cause serious adverse effects. The pegfilgrastim 6-mg syringe should not be used in infants, children, and small teenagers who weigh less than 45 kg (99.2 lbs).

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of colony stimulating factors in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine has been used in many elderly patients and is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Colony stimulating factors have not been studied in pregnant women. Before you take a colony stimulating factor, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant of if you may become pregnant.

Breast Feeding

It is not known whether colony stimulating factors pass into human breast milk. However, these medicines have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies. Mothers who are taking a colony stimulating factor and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Drug Interactions

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Topotecan
• Vincristine
• Vincristine Liposome

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of medicines in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Radiation therapy—You should not use filgrastim close to the time you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer treatment.

• Conditions caused by inflammation or immune system problems—There is a chance these may be worsened by colony stimulating factor

• Heart disease—Risk of some unwanted effects (heart rhythm problems, retaining water) may be increased

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—May sometimes be worsened by colony stimulating factor

• Leukemia (cancer of the blood-forming organs)—May make condition worse

• Lung disease—Colony stimulating factor may cause shortness of breath

• Sickle cell disease (condition that affects the cells in your blood)—May make condition worse