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How it is administered
Filgrastim is administered as an injection, either under the skin (subcutaneous) or into a vein (intravenous). It is available in single-dose vials and prefilled syringes with different strengths (e.g., 300 mcg or 480 mcg). The injection can be given by a healthcare professional, or, with proper training, by patients or caregivers at home. The injection sites include the outer area of the upper arms, abdomen, thighs, or upper outer areas of the buttocks. The dose and schedule depend on the specific condition being treated and your body weight.
How it works
Filgrastim is a man-made form of a naturally occurring protein called granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). G-CSF is produced in the body to help stimulate the bone marrow to make more neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that is important for fighting infections. Filgrastim works by binding to specific receptors on the surface of bone marrow cells, encouraging them to multiply and mature into functioning neutrophils. This helps to increase the number of neutrophils in the blood, especially after chemotherapy, which can lower white blood cell counts and increase the risk of infection. By boosting neutrophil production, filgrastim helps reduce the risk and duration of infections in people undergoing cancer treatment.
Common side effects
- Bone pain
- Fever (pyrexia)
- Rash
- Cough
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Pain (general, back, chest, or in extremities)
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Injection site reactions
Serious but less common side effects include spleen enlargement or rupture, allergic reactions, acute respiratory distress syndrome, glomerulonephritis, capillary leak syndrome, and cutaneous vasculitis.
Who Should take it
Filgrastim is used in patients with blood cancers, such as Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), who are receiving chemotherapy that can cause low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). It is given to decrease the risk of infection, as shown by fever and low neutrophil counts, in people with non-myeloid cancers receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. It is also used after bone marrow transplantation, to help the body recover its white blood cells more quickly, and in patients undergoing stem cell collection for transplantation. In addition, filgrastim can be used in people with chronic severe neutropenia due to congenital, cyclic, or idiopathic causes.
Who should not take it
Filgrastim should not be used by anyone with a history of serious allergic reactions to filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, or any of their ingredients. People with sickle cell disorders should use filgrastim with caution, as it can cause sickle cell crises. It is not recommended to use filgrastim at the same time as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as the safety and effectiveness in this setting have not been established. If you have a history of certain blood disorders, such as chronic myeloid leukemia or myelodysplasia, filgrastim may not be appropriate. Always discuss your full medical history with your healthcare provider before starting filgrastim.
Commonly used with
Filgrastim is often used alongside chemotherapy drugs to help reduce the risk of infection. It may also be used with other supportive care medications, such as antibiotics or antifungals, to help prevent or treat infections. In stem cell transplantation, filgrastim is used to mobilize stem cells before collection. It is not used at the same time as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, but rather in the period after these treatments to help the body recover.
Commonly tested with
Filgrastim has been tested with various chemotherapy regimens used to treat blood cancers, including regimens for lymphoma, leukemia, and solid tumors. It has also been studied in combination with stem cell transplantation protocols and with other supportive care measures, such as antibiotics. In clinical trials, filgrastim is often compared to placebo or to other growth factors to assess its effectiveness in reducing infection risk and speeding up recovery of white blood cell counts.
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