PRODUCT DETAILS

About Axokine Injection

FILGRASTIM belongs to the class of medicine called 'hematopoietic agent' used to treat neutropenia a lack of certain white blood cells caused by cancer, bone marrow transplant, receiving chemotherapy, bacterial infections, or other conditions. Neutropenia is a condition in which the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood is decreased. White blood cells (neutrophils) protect the body from infections. Without enough neutrophils, the body can not fight off bacteria and increases the risk of many types of infections.

 FILGRASTIM contains ' Filgrastim ' that works by stimulating the bone marrow (the tissue where new blood cells are made) to produce more white blood cells that help fight infection. FILGRASTIM is used to improve white blood cells during cancer treatment (chemotherapy), bone marrow transplantation, severe chronic neutropenia (low number of a type of white blood cells), neutropenia in patients with HIV infection, and before stem cell donation.

You are advised to take FILGRASTIM for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as thrombocytopenia (low platelets level), anemia (low red blood cell), headache, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, alopecia (unusual hair loss), tiredness, soreness, and swelling of the digestive tract, fever. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.

To treat your condition effectually, continue taking FILGRASTIM for as long as your doctor has prescribed. To avoid recurring symptoms, do not stop it midway. Do not take FILGRASTIM if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. FILGRASTIM should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers unless prescribed. FILGRASTIM should be given to children under strict medical supervision. Please tell your doctor before using FILGRASTIM, if you have sickle cell anemia, as FILGRASTIM may cause sickle cell crisis, and osteoporosis (bone disease). Regular blood tests will be taken to monitor the number of white blood cells in the body. Inform your doctor about your health condition and medicines to rule out any unpleasant side effects. FILGRASTIM is a cold chain medicine, and so it has to be stored in the refrigerator between 2-8 degrees celsius else its efficacy might get lost. Do not store in the freezer the fridge.

Uses of Axokine Injection

Neutropenia (low number of white blood neutropenia cells),  Neutropenia during Chemotherapy,  Neutropenia after Bone marrow transplantation,  Neutropenia in patients with HIV infection,  peripheral blood stem cell mobilization (to stimulate stem cells to enter the bloodstream to be collected and used in bone marrow transplantation)

Medicinal Benefits of Axokine Injection

FILGRASTIM contains ‘Filgrastim’ a white blood cell growth factor. It belongs to a group of proteins called cytokines and is very similar to a natural protein (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) produced by your own body. FILGRASTIM works by stimulating the bone marrow (the tissue where new blood cells are made) to produce more white blood cells that help fight infection. FILGRASTIM is used to improve white blood cells during cancer treatment (chemotherapy), bone marrow transplantation, severe chronic neutropenia (low number of a type of white blood cells), neutropenia in patients with HIV infection, and before stem cell donation.

Directions for Use

The injection of FILGRASTIM will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer.

Side Effects of Axokine Injection

• Thrombocytopenia (low platelets level)
• Anemia (low red blood cell)
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Alopecia (unusual hair loss)
• Tiredness
• Soreness and swelling of the digestive tract
• Fever

Similar Drugs

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

In-Depth Precautions and Warning

Drug Warnings

Do not take FILGRASTIM if you are allergic to FILGRASTIM or any of its ingredients it may contain inactive ingredients (such as dry natural rubber/latex in the needle cover on the prefilled syringe), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Before starting treatment with FILGRASTIM inform your doctor if you have sickle cell anemia, osteoporosis (bone disease), kidney disease, liver disease, spleen problems, heart problems, and radiation treatment. FILGRASTIM can cause the spleen to become enlarged and it could rupture (tear). Inform your doctor right away if you have sudden or severe pain in your left upper stomach spreading up to your shoulder. If you receive chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant; do not use FILGRASTIM within 24 hours before or 24 hours after you receive chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant.  Do not take FILGRASTIM if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. FILGRASTIM can be given safely to children only when prescribed. FILGRASTIM may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with FILGRASTIM as it could lead to increased drowsiness. Keep your doctor informed about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription, non-prescription medicines, and herbal supplements. 

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction:

FILGRASTIM may have interaction with other hematopoietic agents (pegfilgrastim), medicines used to treat cancer (altretamine, bendamustine, carboplatin, busulfan, cladribine, alemtuzumab, bevacizumab, rituximab, gemtuzumab, procarbazine, dacarbazine. ) 

Drug-Disease Interaction:

FILGRASTIM may cause interactions with disease conditions such as leukocytosis (high levels of white blood cells), sepsis (a life-threatening complication of an infection) glomerulonephritis (kidney impairment), thrombocytopenia (low number of platelets in the blood), have any unusual bleeding or bruising liver dysfunction, myeloid tumors (a solid composed of immature white blood cells), sickle cell disease (red blood cells to become misshapen and break down).

Safety Advice

ALCOHOL

You are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking FILGRASTIM. It could lead to increased dizziness and drowsiness.

PREGNANCY

It is not known whether this FILGRASTIM will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

BREAST FEEDING

It is unknown whether FILGRASTIM passes over into the breast milk. Please consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking FILGRASTIM.

DRIVING

FILGRASTIM may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and tiredness; do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.

LIVER

Take FILGRASTIM only after the doctor's prescription, especially if you are dealing with Liver diseases/conditions as your doctor may adjust the dose as required.

KIDNEY

FILGRASTIM should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Dose adjustments may be necessary. In some case, FILGRASTIM cause kidney injury. Inform your doctor right away if you experience puffiness in your face or ankles, blood in your urine, or brown-colored urine or you notice you urinate less than usual.