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Oprelvekin  (Systemic)

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Brand Names

In the U.S.—

  • Neumega

Other commonly used names are interleukin-11, recombinant; rIL-11.

Category


Description

Oprelvekin ( oh-PREL-ve-kin) is a synthetic (man-made) version of a substance called interleukin-11. Naturally occurring interleukin-11 is produced by bone marrow cells in the body and helps to make platelets, which are necessary for proper clotting of blood. Oprelvekin is used to help prevent low platelet counts caused by treatment with some cancer medicines.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form(s):



Before Using This Medicine

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 oprelvekin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to oprelvekin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Oprelvekin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, in rats and rabbits this medicine was found to cause harmful effects on the fetus, including miscarriages and poor growth. It has not been found to cause birth defects in animals.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether oprelvekin passes into breast milk. Discuss with your doctor whether or not you should breast-feed during treatment with this medicine.

Children—Oprelvekin has caused joint and tendon problems in animals and there is a possibility it could also cause these effects in children receiving it. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Older adults—This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—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 health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

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


Proper Use of This Medicine

If you are injecting this medicine yourself, each package of oprelvekin will contain a patient instruction sheet. Read this sheet carefully and make sure you understand:

If you have any questions about any of this, check with your health care professional.

This medicine works best if it is given at the same time every day.

Dosing—

The dose of oprelvekin will be different for different patients. The dose that is used may depend on a number of things, including the patient's body weight. If you are receiving oprelvekin at home, follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. If you have any questions about the proper dose of oprelvekin, ask your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the usual time.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Side Effects of This Medicine

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.

The side effects listed below include only those that might be caused by oprelvekin. To find out about other side effects that may be caused by the cancer medicines you are also receiving, see the information about those medicines.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

This medicine may also cause the following side effect that your doctor will watch for:

Other 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. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

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



Developed: 04/23/1998
Revised: 08/12/2004

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