Filgrastim (Filgrastim)
Overview of Filgrastim
Filgrastim stimulates the production of white blood in bone marrow. itused to increase the white blood cell production in patient of cancer therapy whose bone marrow function is depressed by cytotoxic therapy. italso being used in the treatment of AIDS.
Indication of Filgrastim
Filgrastim is primarily indicated in conditions like Cytotoxic-induced neutropenia, Mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells, Myeloablative therapy followed by bone marrow transplantation, Neutropenia, Persistant neutropenia in advanced hiv infection, Severe chronic neutropenia, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in AIDS, Aplastic anemia, Myelodysplastic syndrome.
Contraindication of Filgrastim
Filgrastim is contraindicated in conditions like Myeloblastic leukemia.
Side Effects of Filgrastim
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Filgrastim, which give rise to further complications include Vasculitis, Myelogenous leukemia, Leukocytoclastic, Neutrophillic dermatitis.,Filgrastim produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Proliferation of myelogenous cells, Leukemic crisis. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Filgrastim therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Filgrastim include Bone pain, Elevation of alkaline phosphatase, Elevation of LDH.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Filgrastim are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Fever, Skin rash, Medullary bone pain.
Precautions of Filgrastim
Filgrastim should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. It should be used with caution in patients with any pre-existing heart disease or any allergies.