Efbemalenograstim Alfa-vuxw (ef-bem-a-len-oh-GRA-stim AL-fa - vuxw)

Helps your body make white blood cells after you receive cancer medicines.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. It is given as a shot under the skin of your upper arm, stomach, or thigh.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• You should not receive this medicine within 14 days before and less than 24 hours after receiving chemotherapy.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, lung disease or breathing problems, sickle cell disease, allergy to latex, or blood or bone marrow problems.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Spleen problems
  • Lung problems, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
  • Kidney problems, including glomerulonephritis
  • Capillary leak syndrome
  • Blood or bone marrow problems (including myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia) in patients with breast or lung cancer
  • Aortitis (swelling of the largest artery in the body)
• This medicine lowers the number of certain blood cells, so you may bleed or bruise more easily. Be careful to avoid injuries.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, red or dark brown urine, lower back or side pain
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Pain in your left side or shoulder, feeling unusually full
• Skin redness, blisters, or sores, red or purple spots on your skin
• Swelling in your face, ankles, or feet
• Trouble breathing or fast breathing, blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Nausea
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot was given

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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