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Granix (Subcutaneous)

Generic name: tbo-filgrastimtee-boe-- fil-GRA-stim ]
Drug class: Colony stimulating factors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 1, 2024.

Uses for Granix

Tbo-filgrastim injection is used to treat severe neutropenia (low white blood cells) that is caused by cancer medicines. It is a synthetic (man-made) form of a substance that is naturally produced in the body called a colony stimulating factor. Tbo-filgrastim helps the bone marrow to make new white blood cells.

When certain cancer medicines are used to fight cancer cells, they also affect the white blood cells that fight infections. Tbo-filgrastim is used to prevent or reduce the risk of infection while you are being treated with cancer medicines.

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

Before using Granix

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 tbo-filgrastim injection in children younger than 1 month of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of tbo-filgrastim injection in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

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.

Interactions with 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 healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

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:

Proper use of Granix

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given as a shot under your skin (usually in the abdomen, front of the middle thighs, upper outer areas of the buttocks, or upper back portion of the upper arms).

You may be taught how to give this medicine at home. Make sure you understand all of the instructions before giving yourself an injection. Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about:

This medicine is available in two forms: a vial (glass container) or a prefilled syringe. These are the dosage forms that you can use at home.

Allow the medicine to warm to room temperature for 30 minutes before you inject it. If the liquid in the syringe or vial has changed color, looks cloudy, or if you see particles in it, do not use it. Do not shake the syringe or vial.

Each syringe or vial of medicine is good for only one dose. Throw the syringe or vial away after your dose. Do not save unused medicine from an opened syringe or vial.

You should not use this medicine within 24 hours (1 day) before or after receiving cancer medicine or radiation treatments. Also do not use it within 24 hours before you begin another dose of chemotherapy.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Keep this medicine in its original container until you are ready to use it. You may store it at room temperature for up to 5 days, and if not used can be returned to the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medicine that has been left at room temperature for more than 5 days.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

filgrastim, Zarxio, Neupogen, pegfilgrastim, Neulasta, Fulphila

Precautions while using Granix

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

Check with your doctor right away at the first sign of an infection, such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have pain in the upper left part of your stomach or at the tip of the left shoulder. These could be symptoms of a serious condition with the spleen.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a fever, chest pain or tightness, or trouble breathing. These could be symptoms of a serious lung condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching skin, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain after using the medicine.

This medicine may cause kidney problems. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have swelling in your face or ankles, blood in the urine, or a decrease in how much or how often you urinate.

This medicine may cause a condition called capillary leak syndrome. It can cause fluid to leak from the blood vessels into your body's tissues. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have swelling or puffiness, urinating less often, trouble breathing, feeling of fullness, dizziness, or feeling faint.

This medicine may cause aortitis (inflammation of the aorta, the largest artery in the body). Check with your doctor right away if you have fever, stomach pain, unusual tiredness or weakness, or back pain.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests (eg, bone-imaging test).

Side Effects of Granix

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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Rare

Incidence not known

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:

More common

Incidence not known

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.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Available Dosage Forms:

Therapeutic Class: Hematopoietic

Pharmacologic Class: Colony Stimulating Factor

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.