Type of medicine: keratinocyte growth factor
Generic and brand names: palifermin, injection; Kepivance
This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to prevent or treat severe oral mucositis (mouth sores) in people receiving cancer treatment for blood cancers such as leukemia.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine is given by your healthcare provider. You will receive 3 daily infusions before and 3 daily infusions after chemotherapy. It should not be given within 24 hours of receiving chemotherapy.
If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider.
Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
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; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever, chills, rash, trouble breathing, unexplained swelling.
Other: Change in sense of taste, discolored tongue, tongue thickening, itching, stomach pain; loss of appetite; vomiting; joint pain; increased or decreased sensitivity, especially around the mouth; numbness or tingling, especially around the mouth.
No significant drug interactions have been reported.
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.
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.
