Plerixafor, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by injection to help increase the number of blood stem cells before a stem cell transplant.
• You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: stem cell mobilizer

Generic and brand names: plerixafor, injection; Mozobil

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to help increase the number of blood stem cells before a stem cell transplant. It is given by injection (shots) to people who have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or multiple myeloma. It is used with another medicine called a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). When used with G-CSF, this medicine boosts the number of stem cells released from the bone marrow into the blood stream.

This medicine may be used to treat 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 allergic reaction to any medicine or to benzyl alcohol
• Kidney disease
• Leukemia
• Low platelet count

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

These shots are given by your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down, especially right after receiving this medicine. Getting up slowly may help. Also, drinking alcohol may make it worse. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and thinking clearly.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received 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; pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Fast heartbeat, unusual tiredness or weakness; trouble breathing; unusual bruising or bleeding; severe pain in your upper stomach (that may also spread to your shoulder or back); severe lightheadedness or fainting.

Other: Muscle or joint pain, headache, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, mild dizziness, trouble sleeping, swelling or redness at injection site, dry mouth, increased sweating.

What products might interact with this medicine?

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.

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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.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Do not share medicines with other people.