Ancestim

Ancestim is used to increase the number and mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells.

Ancestim is available under the following different brand names: Stemgen.

Dosages of Ancestim:

Powder for Injection

• 1875 mcg/vial

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Increase the Number and Mobilization of Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cells

• In conjunction with filgrastim
• 20 mcg/kg/day subcutaneously (SC)

Administration

• Reconstitute with 1.2 mL sterile water for injection to yield a concentration of 1.5 mg/mL with a withdrawable volume of 1 mL. Compatibility with saline or other diluents is unknown. During reconstitution, the vial contents may be gently swirled to avoid foaming during dissolution. Avoid excess or vigorous agitation

Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients.

Common side effects of Ancestim (administered with filgrastim) include:

• Injection site reactions
• Numbness and tingling
• Respiratory symptoms
• Distant skin reactions
• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fast heart rate

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Ancestim has no listed severe interactions with other drugs.
• Ancestim has no listed serious interactions with other drugs.
• Ancestim has no listed moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Ancestim has no listed mild interactions with other drugs.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

This medication contains ancestim. Do not take Stemgen if you are allergic to ancestim or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to ancestim or E. coli proteins (may cause life-threatening allergic reactions)

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information is available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ancestim?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ancestim?"

Cautions

• Subcutaneous (SC) only; not for intravenous (IV)
• Premedicate with H1 and H2 antihistamines and a bronchodilator to minimize the possibility of anaphylactoid reactions
• Observe patients for 1-hour post-administration
• Do not exceed the dosage

Pregnancy and Lactation

No information is available regarding the use of ancestim during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Exercise caution. Consult your doctor.

It is unknown whether amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate is distributed in breast milk. Caution is advised while breastfeeding.