• Dangerous allergic reactions can occur. Tell healthcare provider about any fever, rash, feeling tired, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, cough, or difficulty breathing. Do not restart this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction.
• If you have an allergy to oprelvekin or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• First dose is usually given 6 to 24 hours after you receive chemotherapy and is continued until your platelet count reaches a certain level.
• It should notbe given at least 2 days before your next cancer treatment.
• This medicine is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
• Your healthcare provider may teach you how to give the shot.
• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.
• When making, do not shake.
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Throw away needles in needle/sharp disposal box and return box to healthcare provider when full.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• Store unopened vials in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Use within 3 hours of making.
• Throw away any unused portion of opened vial after use.
Created: 2005-04-07 17:05:32.0
Modified: 2010-03-09 08:30:18.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you have a fast heartbeat or are taking medicines to control your heartbeat, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have low potassium levels or if you are taking a water pill, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
• Swelling in the back of the eye.
• Eye irritation.
• Swelling.
• Headache.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Anemia.
• Mouth irritation. Frequent mouth care with a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing mouth may help.
• Heart damage can rarely occur.
• Bone changes may rarely occur.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.
• Severe headache.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Sudden change in vision, eye pain, or irritation.
• Swelling of legs or belly.
• Feeling extremely tired or weak.
• Significant weight gain.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
