Oprelvekin

Oprelvekin is a prescription medication indicated for the prevention of severe thrombocytopenia and the reduction of the need for platelet transfusions following myelosuppressive chemotherapy in adult patients with nonmyeloid malignancies who are at high risk of severe thrombocytopenia.

• Oprelvekin is available under the following different brand names: Neumega, Interleukin 11, il 11

Common side effects of Oprelvekin include:

• injection site reactions (pain redness or irritation)
• red eyes
• dizziness
• headache
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• runny or stuffy nose
• cough
• sore throat

Serious side effects of Oprelvekin include:

• fast heartbeat
• fluid retention
• irregular heartbeat
• shortness of breath
• sore mouth or tongue
• swelling of feet or lower legs
• white patches in the mouth and/or on the tongue
• severe weakness
• sudden/unexplained weight gain

Rare side effects of Oprelvekin include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Powder for injection

• 5 mg/vial

Prevention of thrombocytopenia

Adult dosage

• 50 mcg/kg SC once a day for 10 to 21 days

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, 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, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.

• Oprelvekin has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs
• Oprelvekin has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs
• Oprelvekin has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs
• Oprelvekin has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Oprelvekin?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Oprelvekin?”

Cautions

• Discontinue permanently if anaphylactic reaction
• Atrial arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, aggressively hydrated patients, history of stroke/transient ischemic attack, papilledema (risk of blindness)
• Risk of severe but reversible fluid retention
• Risk of papilledema, especially in children
• Anemia appears 3 days after initiating treatment and resolves about 2 weeks after discontinuation
• Dosing for longer than 21 days is not recommended

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Not known if excreted in breast milk; not recommended