Releuko Disease Interactions

Although it has been reported that renal dysfunction has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of colony stimulating factors (CSF), filgrastim and pegfilgrastim may cause glomerulonephritis. Symptoms include swelling of the face or ankles, dark colored urine, or blood in the urine, or a decrease in urine production. Advise patients to report signs or symptoms of glomerulonephritis immediately. Monitoring of patients with renal dysfunction is recommended.

Colony stimulating factors primarily stimulates the proliferation of neutrophils but may also, theoretically, enhance tumor growth, particularly in myeloid malignancies. Therapy with these drugs should be administered cautiously in patients with myeloid tumors. Additionally, if used for PBPC (peripheral blood progenitor cell) collection in such patients, tumor cells may be released from the marrow and collected in the leukapheresis product. The effect of reinfusion of tumor cells is uncertain at this time.

Filgrastim and pegfilgrastim are growth factors for neutrophil progenitor cells. Therefore, these should not be used in patients with leukocytosis. If excessive white blood cell counts occur during CSF therapy, treatment should be interrupted or the dosage reduced.

When filgrastim is used in septic patients, clinicians should be alerted to the theoretical possibility of adult respiratory distress syndrome, which may occur as a result of the influx of neutrophils at the site of inflammation. Monitoring of respiratory status may be appropriate in these patients.

Filgrastim may occasionally lower platelet counts. Thrombocytopenia has been reported, although most often the effects are mild or moderate and not associated with serious hemorrhagic sequelae. Nevertheless, therapy with filgrastim should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting thrombocytopenia. Frequent blood counts are recommended, and the dosage of filgrastim adjusted if necessary.

Severe and sometimes fatal sickle cell crises have been reported in sickle cell disease patients receiving filgrastim products. Consider the potential risks and benefits prior to initiating therapy in these patients.