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Plerixafor (Subcutaneous Route)

US Brand Names

Description

Plerixafor is used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and multiple myeloma (MM). It is used together with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor or G-CSF (e.g., filgrastim, pegfilgrastim) to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for collection and transplantation.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of plerixafor in the pediatric population.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of plerixafor in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment of dose in patients receiving plerixafor.

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bone marrow cancer or other bone marrow problems (e.g., leukemia) or
• Enlarged spleen or
• Leukocytosis (high white blood cell count) or
• Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional may give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, tell your doctor right away. Do not breastfeed while you are using this medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if you are having a pain in the upper left part of your abdomen or at the tip of the left shoulder. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect with the spleen.

Tell your doctor right away if you have slow heartbeat; severe, unusual tiredness or weakness; cold sweats; confusion; or dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position after you get the injection.

If you develop a skin rash, hives, swelling around the eyes, shortness of breath, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, stop taking the medicine and check with your doctor as soon as possible.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain in some patients. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control these side effects.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Bleeding gums
• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• Collection of blood under skin
• Coughing up blood
• Deep, dark purple bruise
• Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
• Dizziness
• Feeling of heat
• Flushing, redness of the skin
• Hard lump
• Headache
• Hives or welts
• Increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• Irritation
• Itching skin
• Nosebleeds
• Pain
• Paralysis
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts
• Red or black, tarry stools
• Red or dark brown urine
• Redness of the skin
• Shortness of breath
• Skin rash
• Swelling
• Unusually warm skin

• Chills
• Cold sweats
• Confusion
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
• Fainting
• Fast heartbeat
• Swelling around the eyes
• Tightness in the chest
• Weakness
• Wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Bloated
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty in moving
• Excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
• Full feeling
• Muscle pain or stiffness
• Nausea
• Pain in the joints
• Passing gas
• Sleeplessness
• Trouble sleeping
• Unable to sleep
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting

• Acid or sour stomach
• Belching
• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• Dry mouth
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• Heartburn
• Increased sweating
• Indigestion
• Muscle or bone pain
• Pressure in the stomach
• Stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• Swelling of abdominal or stomach area

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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