Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional may give you this medicine. It is given as a shot under the skin of your upper arm, upper outer buttock, stomach, or thigh. You or your caregiver may be trained to prepare and inject this medicine at home. Be sure that you understand how to use it.

If you use this medicine at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections. Do not inject into skin areas that are tender, red, bruised, hard, or has scars or stretch marks.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about:

  • How to prepare the injection.
  • The proper use of disposable syringes.
  • How to give the injection.
  • How long the injection can be stored at home.

Allow the medicine to warm to room temperature for 30 minutes before using it. Do not warm it by using a heat source (eg, hot water or microwave) or in any other way. Do not shake.

Check the liquid in the prefilled syringe. It should be clear and colorless. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it.

Use the syringe only once. Do not save leftover medicine.

Do not use this medicine between 14 days before and 24 hours after receiving chemotherapy.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injectable dosage form (solution):
    • For neutropenia:
      • Adults and children weighing more than 45 kilograms (kg)—6 milligrams (mg) as a single injection under the skin once every cancer treatment cycle.
      • Children weighing less than 45 kilograms (kg)—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
        • Weighing 31 kg to 44 kg—4 milligrams (mg) as a single injection under the skin once every cancer treatment cycle.
        • Weighing 21 kg to 30 kg—2.5 mg as a single injection under the skin once every cancer treatment cycle.
        • Weighing 10 kg to 20 kg—1.5 mg as a single injection under the skin once every cancer treatment cycle.
        • Weighing less than 10 kg—0.1 mg per kg of body weight as a single injection under the skin once every cancer treatment cycle.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Protect from light. If it is frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator before using it. Throw this medicine away if it has been frozen more than once or if it has been left at room temperature for longer than 72 hours.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container where the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.