Patient Information on Oprelvekin

Oprelvekin is an injectable medication often prescribed to patients undergoing chemotherapy and to the who are at risk for needing platelet transfusions. This medication is also marketed under the name Neumega. Patients using this medication must be very careful to use it exactly as prescribed.

This medication is prescribed to prevent the need for platelet transfusion after cancer patients have had certain types of chemotherapy treatments. It will help them maintain adequate platelet counts so that experiencing very low platelet counts can be prevented. By maintaining adequate platelet counts, patients will be less likely to experience serious bleeding or bruising if they experience injuries. Ultimately, this medication will make the body produce more platelets.

This medication is injected under the patient's skin. It can be injected under the skin of the hip, abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Patients should always use a different injection site for each injection. This medication is most often used once a day, six to twenty-four hours after undergoing a chemotherapy session. Patients should make sure to thoroughly swirl this medication so that it is completely combined. It should never be shaken and patients should always look at it before using it, to make sure it is not discolored and does not contain any particles. If it contains particles or is discolored it should not be used. Patients should using rubbing alcohol to thoroughly clean the injection site and should always immediately dispose of used needles.

Patients with certain medical conditions may not be able to take this medication. The contraindicated medical conditions include kidney disease, high blood pressure, blood/heart vessel disease, spinal cord/brain tumors, abnormal fluid retention, and eye problems.

Patients injecting oprelvekin may experience side effects. The common side effects include red eyes, pain at the injection site, and dizziness. The serious side effects should be immediately evaluated by a doctor. The serious side effects include fever, chest pain, flushing, slurred speech, headache, weakness that affects one side of the body, severe weakness, confusion, unexplained/sudden weight gain, fainting, ankle/hands/feet swelling, vision changes, shortness of breath, changes in urine production, bone/muscle pain, unusual fatigue, white patches within the patient's mouth, and pounding/fast/irregular heartbeat.

Certain medications may adversely interact with this medication. These medications include fluid-retention causing drugs such as corticosteroids and potassium level-decreasing drugs such as diuretics.

This medication should not be used for more than twenty-one days at a time. Because this medication can cause drowsiness, patients should avoid dangerous activities, Breastfeeding women should not use this medication and pregnant women should use extreme caution.

RxList (2009). Oprelvekin. Retrieved on November 4, 2009 from Website: http://www.rxlist.com/neumega-drug.htm