What is Plerixafor?
Plerixafor works by helping your bone marrow release stem cells into your bloodstream so they can be collected and transplanted back into the body.
Plerixafor is used in people with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or multiple myeloma.
Plerixafor may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Plerixafor?
Do not receive plerixafor without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to plerixafor, or if you have leukemia.
Before you take plerixafor, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
Plerixafor is given as an injection in a hospital or clinic setting.
Before receiving plerixafor, you will be given another medication that will help your bone marrow produce stem cells and certain white blood cells that help support your immune system.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Plerixafor?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to plerixafor, or if you have leukemia.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take plerixafor, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
FDA pregnancy category D. Plerixafor can cause harm to an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Before you receive plerixafor, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether plerixafor passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Plerixafor Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Plerixafor?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
- feeling like you might pass out; or
- pain in your upper stomach, spreading to your shoulder or back
Less serious side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting
- diarrhea, constipation
- dry mouth, numbness in or around your mouth
- upset stomach, bloating, gas
- tired feeling, trouble sleeping
- headache, dizziness
- joint or muscle pain
- increased sweating; or
- itching, rash, or other irritation where the medication was injected
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Plerixafor Interactions
What other drugs affect Plerixafor?
There may be other drugs that can interact with plerixafor. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Plerixafor?
Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are receiving plerixafor.
Plerixafor Dosage
How should I take Plerixafor?
Plerixafor is given as an injection under the skin. You will receive this injection in a hospital or clinic setting.
Before receiving plerixafor, you will be given a medication called a granulocyte (GRAN-yoo-loe-site) colony stimulating factor, also called G-CSF. Some examples of a G-CSF are filgrastim (Neupogen), pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), and sargramostim (Leukine).
A G-CSF will cause your bone marrow to produce stem cells and certain white blood cells called granulocytes, which help support your immune system.
Plerixafor works together with the G-CSF by causing stem cells and granulocytes produced in the bone marrow to circulate into your blood stream where they can be collected in blood drawn from your vein.
After your blood is drawn, it will be processed so that the needed stem cells and granulocytes can be separated from other unneeded parts of the blood. These stem cells and granulocytes will then be “transplanted” back into your vein through an IV injection.
To be sure plerixafor is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often during your treatment.
What happens if I overdose on Plerixafor?
Overdose with plerixafor is not likely to occur because this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a clinical setting.
Overdose symptoms may include stomach discomfort, severe dizziness, or fainting.
What happens if I miss a dose of Plerixafor?
Because you will receive plerixafor in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com