Table of Contents
What is a colony-stimulating factor drug?
Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a class of biological medication that doctors prescribe for people who need to boost their white blood cell count. Doctors refer to low blood cell levels as neutropenia. People usually have low levels of white blood cells as a result of cancer or chemotherapy treatment.
What is G-CSF injection for?
G-CSF is used in patients who have certain cancers and neutropenia caused by some types of chemotherapy and in patients who have severe chronic neutropenia that is not caused by cancer treatment. It is also used before an autologous stem cell transplant. G-CSF helps the bone marrow make more white blood cells.
How is G-CSF administered?
How Filgrastim Is Given: Filgrastim may be given subcutaneous (the layer between the skin and muscle) injection or infused into a vein (intravenous, IV). Filgrastim is generally given on a daily basis. The number of days you receive filgrastim will be prescribed by your doctor.
Is G-CSF injection painful?
Every donor is different and will experience G-CSF injections differently, though the majority of donors will experience some side-effects, the most common being bone pain as your body is busy producing stem cells.
What are the side effects of G-CSF injections?
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. dizziness or feeling faint….
- bone pain.
- cough.
- diarrhea.
- hair loss.
- headache.
- muscle pain.
Where do you inject G-CSF?
You usually have injections under the skin (subcutaneous injection) into the stomach, thigh or top of your arm. You might have stinging or a dull ache for a short time after this type of injection but they don’t usually hurt much. The skin in the area may go red and itchy for a while.
How long does G-CSF take to work?
This usually takes 5 to 7 days, although it can be longer. If you are having G-CSF before a stem cell transplant, you usually have your first dose 4 to 6 days before your stem cells are going to be collected.
How quickly does G-CSF work?
Can G-CSF cause leukemia?
G-CSF use has been associated with later development of myelodysplastic syndromes/acute myelogenous leukemia (MDS/AML) in several clinical circumstances.
Why does G-CSF cause bone pain?
There are four main causes of G-CSF related bone pain: bone marrow quantitative and qualitative expansion, peripheral nociceptor sensitization to nociceptive stimuli, modulation of immune function and direct effect on bone metabolism.
How long does it take G-CSF to work?
When should I stop G-CSF?
Filgrastim should be discontinued if a very high white-cell count occurs (>100,000 cells per cubic millimeter). Pegfilgrastim is administered as a one-time dose of 6 mg subcutaneously for each cycle of chemotherapy.