Tbo-Filgrastim injection

What is this medicine?

TBO-FILGRASTIM (T B O fil GRA stim) is a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor that helps you make more neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. Neutrophils are important for fighting infections. Some chemotherapy affects your bone marrow and lowers your neutrophils. This medicine helps decrease the length of time that neutrophils are very low (severe neutropenia).

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection under the skin. If you get this medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Refer to the Instructions for Use that come with your medication packaging. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 month of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• back pain

• blood in the urine

• dark urine

• dizziness

• fast heartbeat

• feeling faint

• shortness of breath or breathing problems

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills; cough; or sore throat

• signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• stomach or side pain, or pain at the shoulder

• sweating

• swelling of the legs, ankles, or abdomen

• tiredness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• bone pain

• diarrhea

• headache

• muscle pain

• vomiting

What may interact with this medicine?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• medicines that may cause a release of neutrophils, such as lithium

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you miss a dose.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). Keep in carton to protect from light. Throw away this medicine if it is left out of the refrigerator for more than 5 consecutive days. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bone scan or tests planned

• kidney disease

• sickle cell anemia

• an unusual or allergic reaction to tbo-filgrastim, filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.