Tbo-Filgrastim (tee-boe - fil-GRA-stim)

Helps your body make white blood cells after you receive cancer medicine.

Brand Name(s):

Granix

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. It is given as a shot under the skin of your upper arm, upper buttock, stomach, or thigh.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• This medicine is available in 2 forms: a vial (glass container) or a prefilled syringe. Your doctor will tell you which dosage form you should use.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• 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. Do not inject into skin areas that are tender, red, or bruised, or have scars or stretch marks.
• Allow the medicine to warm to room temperature for 30 minutes before you inject it. Do not use it if the liquid in the syringe or vial has changed color, looks cloudy, or if you see particles in it. Do not shake the syringe or vial.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• Do not use this medicine within 24 hours before or after receiving chemotherapy.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
• If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Keep this medicine in its original container until you are ready to use it. You may store it at room temperature for up to 5 days, and if not used, can be returned to the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medicine that has been left at room temperature for more than 5 days.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, lung disease or breathing problems, sickle cell disease, or blood or bone marrow problems.
• Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Spleen problems
  • Lung problems, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
  • Kidney problems
  • Capillary leak syndrome
  • Blood or bone marrow problems (including myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia) in patients with breast or lung cancer
  • Aortitis (swelling of the largest artery in the body)
  • Bleeding problems
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, red or dark brown urine, cloudy urine, lower back or side pain
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Pain on the left upper side your stomach or left shoulder
• Skin redness, blisters, or sores, red or purple spots on your skin
• Swelling of your hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• Trouble breathing or fast breathing, blue lips, fingernails, or skin

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Bone pain
• Pain, redness, itching, burning, or swelling where the shot was given

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088