Palifermin (Injection)

Introduction:

Palifermin (pal-ee-FER-min)

Used to decrease the incidence and duration of oral mucositis in patients with blood disorders receiving myelotoxic therapy.

Brand Name(s):

Kepivance

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines that you are using.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
• This medicine increases rate of tumor cell line growth. Make sure your doctor knows if you ever had any tumor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Fever, pain, or rapid weight gain.
• Mouth or tongue thickness or discoloration.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Severe rash on your skin.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Altered or bad taste in your mouth.
• Itching or redness of your skin.
• Pain in your joints.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: