PALIFERMIN (Systemic)?
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
? Not commercially available in Canada.
Category
- Antineoplastic adjunct
- cytoprotective agent
Description
Palifermin (pal-ee-FER-min) is used to help prevent or lessen some sideeffects caused by other medicines or radiation therapy that are used to treatcancer.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage forms:
Parenteral- Injection (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For palifermin, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusualor allergic reaction to palifermin. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist ifyou are allergic to any other substances, such as E. coli-derived proteins.
Pregnancy?Palifermin has not been studied in pregnant women.However, studies in animals have shown that palifermin causes unwanted effects.Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnantor if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether palifermin passes intobreast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are takingthis medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only inadult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of paliferminin children with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof palifermin in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of palifermin. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Non-hematologic malignancies (e.g., other cancerous tumors)?Maybe worsened by palifermin
Proper Use of This Medicine
Dosing?The dose of palifermin will be different for different patients.It depends on the patient's size. The medicine will be given by, or underthe immediate supervision of, the doctor treating you for cancer.
- For parenteral dosage form (injection):
- For preventing or lessening side effects caused by medicines usedto treat cancer:
- Adults?60 milligrams (mg) per square meter of body surfacearea, injected into a vein for 3 consecutive days before and 3 consecutivedays after myelotoxic therapy for a total of 6 doses.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store in the refrigerator.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to breakdown.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask yourhealth care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do notuse. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Your doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits.
This medicine may cause some other tumors (not bone marrow tumors) to growin animal models.Make sure your doctor knows if you havehad any other type of tumor or cancer.
The importance of reporting any side effects to yourdoctor
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicinemay cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Other side effects may occur that usuallydo not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome.
More common
Bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste; blurred vision; burning, crawling, itching, numbness,prickling, "pins and needles" or tingling feelings; change in taste; difficulty in moving; dizziness; elevated serum amylase; elevated serum lipase; fever; flushing, redness of skin; headache; increased sensitivity to pain; increased sensitivity to touch; itching skin; muscle pain or stiffness; nervousness; pain; pain in joints; pounding in the ears; rash; slow or fast heartbeat; swelling; tingling in the hands and feet; tonguediscoloration; tongue thickening; unusually warm skin
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 05/10/2005
