Palifermin

Generic name: palifermin [ PAL-ee-FER-min ]
Brand name: Kepivance
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (5.16 mg)
Drug class: Miscellaneous uncategorized agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 27, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is palifermin?

Palifermin is used to reduce the frequency and duration of severe mouth sores in people with certain blood cancers.

Palifermin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Palifermin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Palifermin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• joint pain;

• itching, rash, redness of skin; or

• changes in mouth and tongue sensation, altered sense of taste.

Common side effects of palifermin may include:

• color change or thick tongue;

• fever;

• itching or rash;

• swelling or redness of skin; or

• abnormal lab results.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you:

• are being treated with melphalan; or

• have received chemotherapy within 24 hours before receiving palifermin or if you plan to receive chemotherapy within 24 hours after receiving palifermin.

Using palifermin may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

Palifermin may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Palifermin may affect fertility in men or women. Pregnancy could be harder to achieve while either parent is using palifermin.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

How is palifermin given?

Palifermin is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection before and after your chemotherapy treatment.

Your palifermin injections are timed to take place at certain intervals as part of your treatment. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about when to receive each injection.

Follow all storage instructions provided with your injectable medication. Your healthcare provider can provide more information about how to store this medicine.

Palifermin dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Mucositis:

60 mcg/kg IV (as a bolus) once a day, administered for 3 consecutive days before and 3 consecutive days after myelotoxic therapy

Comments:
-Prior to myelotoxic therapy: The third dose should be administered 24 to 48 hours prior to beginning the myelotoxic agent.
-Following myelotoxic therapy: The first dose should be administered on the day of hematopoietic stem cell infusion after the infusion is complete, AND at least 7 days after the most recent dose of this drug.

Uses:
-Decrease the incidence and duration of severe oral mucositis in patients with hematologic malignancies receiving myelotoxic therapy in the setting of autologous hematopoietic stem cell support
-Supportive care for preparative regiments predicted to result in greater than or equal to WHO Grade 3 mucositis in the majority of patients

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your palifermin injection.

What happens if I overdose?

In a medical setting an overdose would be treated quickly.

What should I avoid while receiving palifermin?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect palifermin?

Other drugs may affect palifermin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Palifermin Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There is 1 for palifermin.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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

Medical Disclaimer

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