Oprelvekin, Injection oh-PREL-ve-kin

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: hematopoietic; interleukin (prevents low levels of platelets in the blood)

Generic and brand names: oprelvekin, injection; interleukin 11, IL-11; Neumega

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to prevent thrombocytopenia (too few platelets in your blood). Platelets are blood cells that help form blood clots and stop bleeding. This medicine is given to reduce the need for platelet transfusions after chemotherapy for certain types of cancer.

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergy to any medicine
• a brain or spinal tumor
• a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• an irregular heart rate
• eye problems such as papilledema
• fluid buildup around your liver, heart, or lungs
• heart failure or other heart disease
• high blood pressure
• kidney disease

Also tell your provider if you take diuretics (water pills) or have been told that you have problems with potassium levels in the blood.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while receiving this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

The medicine comes as a powder and a liquid that you mix together. After you mix the powder and liquid, swirl the medicine until it is clear and all powder is dissolved. Do not shake the medicine. The shots are given once a day just below the surface of the skin.

Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use each syringe and needle only once and dispose of them safely, following your healthcare provider's instructions.

Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:

1. Your healthcare provider will tell you where you can give yourself the shots (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or hip). If you are giving the shot in your abdomen, choose a site around the belly button but not in the belly button. Each day, choose a different spot for the shot to lessen irritation.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot.
3. Gently pinch up the skin and insert the needle into the skin at a 45° angle. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin.
4. Inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger.
5. After you have given yourself the shot, withdraw the needle and syringe and press an alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
6. Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.

Read the information sheet that comes in the medicine package, and follow the instructions carefully. If you do not understand some of the instructions, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: irregular heartbeat, chest pain, trouble breathing.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause swelling of your feet, ankles, or lower legs. If the swelling becomes severe, contact your healthcare provider.

You may have shortness of breath when you exercise. This condition may improve after the first week of treatment, but it may continue until you stop this treatment. If this is severe or gets worse, contact your healthcare provider.

Your healthcare provider will want to check your progress regularly. You may need regular lab tests to show how you are responding to the medicine and to check for side effects. Keep all your appointments.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Shortness of breath that gets worse; fast or irregular heartbeat; fainting; severe swelling in your legs or feet, or any unexplained swelling; sudden weakness or numbness (especially on one side of your body); slurred speech; confusion; blurred vision, eye redness, or eye pain; severe headache; unusual bleeding or bruising; unexplained fever or flushing.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, swelling, diarrhea, fever, headache, dizziness, cough, runny nose, trouble sleeping, mild rash, itching or swelling at injection site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• diuretics such as bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), methyclothiazide, indapamide, metolazone (Zaroxolyn), and torsemide (Demadex)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the refrigerator but do not freeze. After you mix the medicine, store it in the refrigerator or at room temperature and use it within 3 hours. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.