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Table of Contents
What is Zarxio?
Zarxio (filgrastim-sndz) is utilized to address neutropenia, a condition characterized by a deficiency of specific white blood cells. This deficit may occur in patients undergoing certain cancer treatments, bone marrow transplants, or due to other medical conditions.
Zarxio is employed to mitigate the risk of infection in individuals with non-myeloid cancer (cancer not involving the bone marrow) who are undergoing chemotherapy. It counteracts the decrease in neutrophils, a type of blood cell crucial for fighting infections.
Additionally, Zarxio aids in boosting white blood cell counts and reducing the duration of fever in individuals with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a form of white blood cell cancer, undergoing chemotherapy.
Zarxio finds application in patients undergoing bone marrow transplants and those with severe chronic neutropenia (a condition characterized by a low count of neutrophils in the blood). It is also used to prepare the blood for leukapheresis, a treatment involving the removal of specific blood cells from the body.
Filgrastim-sndz belongs to the category of medications known as colony-stimulating factors, functioning to stimulate the growth of neutrophils.
Warnings
Zarxio carries the potential of causing a serious lung condition known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and a rare yet severe side effect called capillary leak syndrome. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience fever along with shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or symptoms like a congested or runny nose followed by fatigue, thirst, decreased urination, and sudden swelling or weight gain.
Zarxio may enlarge and rupture the spleen. Contact your doctor promptly if you encounter left-sided upper stomach pain or left shoulder pain.
Related/similar drugs
fluconazole, Diflucan, cisplatin, Neulasta, filgrastim, Neupogen, Rolvedon
Before taking this medicine
Zarxio should not be used if you are allergic to filgrastim-sndz or other granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, such as pegfilgrastim, tbo-filgrastim, sargramostim, or eflapegrastim.
Using Zarxio may heighten the risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) under certain medical conditions. Discuss this risk with your doctor.
To ensure the safety of Zarxio, inform your doctor if you have a history of sickle cell anemia, latex allergy, radiation treatment, or kidney disease.
The impact of filgrastim-sndz on unborn babies is unknown. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Consult your doctor about the safety of breastfeeding while using this medicine.
How should I use Zarxio?
Administer Zarxio precisely as prescribed by your doctor, following all instructions on the prescription label and reading medication guides or instruction sheets thoroughly. Your doctor may alter your dose occasionally.
Zarxio is administered subcutaneously (under the skin). A healthcare professional may instruct you or your caregiver on the proper use of this medication at home.
Dosages are weight-dependent, and your dose may change with weight fluctuations.
Your healthcare provider will indicate the injection sites for Zarxio. Avoid injecting into the same area consecutively and refrain from injecting into tender, bruised, red, or hardened skin. Do not inject into scarred or stretch-marked skin.
Do not alter your dose or discontinue the medicine without your doctor’s guidance.
Be cautious when switching to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine, as your dose requirements may change. Only use the medicine prescribed by your doctor and seek advice before switching forms.
If receiving Zarxio alongside chemotherapy, the last dose should be injected at least 24 hours before the subsequent chemotherapy dose.
Blood tests will be conducted before and during Zarxio treatment to monitor blood cell counts and detect potential side effects.
Filgrastim-sndz may influence the results of specific medical tests. Notify any treating doctor that you are using Zarxio.
Store Zarxio prefilled syringes in the original container in a refrigerator, avoiding exposure to light. Do not freeze, shake, or warm the medicine with hot water, sunlight, or a microwave.
Bring Zarxio to room temperature for 30 minutes before use after taking it out of the refrigerator. Do not leave it out for more than 24 hours.
Dispose of prefilled syringes or vials (bottles) after a single use, even if there is residual medicine.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor for guidance if a dose is missed.
What should I avoid while using Zarxio?
Avoid close contact with sick individuals or those with infections. Report signs of infection promptly.
Zarxio side effects
Get immediate medical assistance if you manifest signs of an allergic reaction to Zarxio: hives, sweating, rash, dizziness, fast heart rate, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Zarxio may induce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and capillary leak syndrome. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience fever along with shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or symptoms like a congested or runny nose followed by fatigue, thirst, decreased urination, and sudden swelling or weight gain.
Spleen enlargement leading to rupture may occur with Zarxio. Contact your doctor immediately if you encounter left-sided upper stomach pain or left shoulder pain.
During injection, you may experience side effects such as dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, itchiness, sweating, headache, chest tightness, back pain, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling.
Serious side effects of Zarxio may include easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red skin spots, fever, tiredness, stomach pain, back pain, signs of sickle cell anemia crisis (pain or difficulty breathing), inflammation of blood vessels (numbness or tingling, skin rash, fever, headache, body aches, night sweats, weight loss, weakness, or tiredness), and kidney problems (swelling, decreased urination, fatigue, or shortness of breath).
Common side effects encompass fever, pain, cough, trouble breathing, nosebleeds, anemia (low red blood cells), bone pain, diarrhea, headache, numbness, rash, and hair loss.
What other drugs will affect Zarxio?
*Avoid using Zarxio within 24 hours before or after chemotherapy, or within 24 hours after a bone
