Granix

Granix is used as a subcutaneous injection to treat severe neutropenia which is a low white blood cell count that is caused by chemotherapy.

It is a synthetic analogue of a chemical that is naturally produced in the body called a colony stimulating factor (CSF).This drug stimulates the bone marrow to produce white cells.

When cancer chemotherapy is administered in the body it damages the rapidly growing cells of the body including hair and bone marrow in addition to the cancer cells.

When the white blood cell counts decreases the body becomes prone to infections. Granix is given to reduce the risk of infection while a person is on chemo.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Solution

Before using Granix, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them.

Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

• Allergies: If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.
• Age-specific problems: The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group is not yet available. Its safety and efficacy have not been established in children. The studies specific to the geriatric age group have not been carried out, therefore its safety and efficacy have not been established in older age group. However, geriatric population is more prone to having kidney, liver and heart problems.
• Pregnancy: Regarding the safety of usage of this drug during pregnancy, it comes under “C” category, which means that clinical trials on animals have revealed harmful effects to the developing fetus or relevant studies have not been performed.
• Drug Interactions: Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand, certain drugs are allowed to be used together. So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug. This medication should be used cautiously with a drug called topotecan.

Furthermore, certain medications should not be taken with alcohol or tobacco, which may also result in harmful interactions. Ask your doctor about the concurrent use of this drug along with alcohol or tobacco.

You should also inform your doctor about any other medical condition you may be suffering from, especially:

• Sickle cell disease (red blood cell disease)

Proper usage of Granix requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. This medication is given as an injection under your skin usually in your abdomen or forearm or mid-thigh.

This medicine should be administered under the supervision of a doctor or nurse. You may also be taught about how to apply this injection at home. Listen to the instructions of your doctor carefully and apply the injection exactly as instructed by your doctor.

You should not use this medicine within 24 hours (1 day) before or after receiving cancer medicine or radiation treatments.

To avoid adverse effects, this drug should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not overuse or misuse this drug and do not use it longer than the recommended time. Read all the instructions mentioned in the medication guide.

Do not miss any dose. The dose of this drug varies according to the condition of each person. The number of doses per day, the time interval between the doses and the length of time you have to take the medicine depends on your condition individually and all these factors should only be determined by your healthcare provider. Follow each and every instruction of your doctor and also read the label carefully.

In case you miss one dose of this drug, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your subsequent dose, you can then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

Storage: This medicine should be stored at room temperature within a closed container, away from heat, direct light, and moisture. Keep this drug out of the reach of children. Do not store expired or outdated medicines or the medicine no longer needed.

Before using Granix, there are some precautions you must take. Inform your doctor immediately if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, cough and sore throat. Tbo-filgrastim can also affect your spleen.

Therefore check with a doctor if you have pain in the upper left side of the abdomen. If you experience severe shortness of breath goes to a hospital immediately. This may a sign of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

It is important for your doctor to monitor the response to medicine and look for any side effects. Therefore, regular follow-up is necessary during and after the treatment.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms have not improved even after taking the full course of treatment. A blood test may be needed to monitor the levels of this drug in your blood.

Avoid taking any other medicine unless thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Always ask your doctor before using any prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicine.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Granix. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

This medication is associated with following side effects:

• cough
• bone pain
• chills
• fever
• eye pain
• the general feeling of illness
• sore throat
• headache
• unusual tiredness
• dizziness
• chest pain or tightness
• the difficulty with swallowing
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• fast heartbeat
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• pain in the upper left part of the stomach or at the tip of the left shoulder
• unusual weakness
• trouble breathing

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on lanthanum. Also contact your healthcare professional immediately, if have overdosed on this drug.

If any of these side effects becomes more bothersome or does not go away, contact your doctor.