Filgrastim

Description

This page contains brief details about the drug filgrastim, it’s indication, dosage & administaration, mechanism of action, related brands with strength, warnings and common side effects.

Date of Approval

Filgrastim is a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor which was approved for its medical use in 1991 by FDA.

Mechanism of Action of Filgrastim

Filgrastim Injection is a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor that belongs to the group of medications called cytokines. Growth factors are proteins naturally occurring in the body. Filgrastim works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells to fight off infections.

Uses of Filgrastim

Filgrastim decreases the risk of developing febrile neutropenia (occurrence of fever or infection associated with low WBC count) and reduces the duration of neutropenia (low white blood cell count) in people who have non-myeloid cancer and are receiving chemotherapy drugs. It is also used to increase the number of WBC and decrease the length of time of fever in people with acute myeloid leukemia.

It is also used in people undergoing bone marrow transplants and in people with severe chronic neutropenia (low number of neutrophils in the blood). Filgrastim is also used to prepare the blood for leukapheresis (a treatment in which certain blood cells are removed from the blood). It is also indicated to increase the chance of survival in people exposed to harmful amounts of radiation, which can cause severe damage to the bone marrow. Other uses include in patients with advanced HIV infection, which will help to reduce the risk of infections.

Filgrastim Dosage available

Filgrastim is available as a prefilled syringe and solution for injection, intended for subcutaneous or intravenous administration. It is available in a dose 300mcg. The dosing depends on your body weight and severity of illness. your healthcare professional will determine the dose, route of administration, frequency, and duration of treatment based on your disease condition and other factors.