Generic Name: palifermin (PAL ee FER min)
Brand Names: Kepivance
What is palifermin?
Palifermin is a human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) produced by recombinant DNA technology.
Palifermin is used to reduce the chance of developing sores and ulcers in the mouth and to shorten the time with sores or ulcers in patients with blood cancers who receive high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy before bone marrow transplants.
Palifermin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about palifermin?
Palifermin is given as an I .V. (in the vein) infusion for three days before you get chemotherapy and then three days after. Palifermin should not be given to you within 24 hours of your chemotherapy treatment.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects from palifermin, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
fever;
breathing problems;
skin and mucus membrane side effects such as rash, redness, swelling, itching, unusual sensations in the mouth, tongue color change, tongue thickening and changes in taste.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving palifermin?
Palifermin is given as an I .V. (in the vein) infusion for three days before you get chemotherapy and then three days after. Palifermin should not be given to you within 24 hours of your chemotherapy treatment.
Before you start receiving palifermin, tell your health care professional if you are allergic to other products made from E. coli proteins.
Palifermin can cause possible tumor growth if it is used for nonblood related cancers. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects from palifermin, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
fever;
breathing problems;
skin and mucus membrane side effects such as rash, redness, swelling, itching, unusual sensations in the mouth, tongue color change, tongue thickening and changes in taste.
Other common side effects include:
swelling;
pain;
joint pain;
increases in blood pancreas enzymes;
increased blood pressure; or
protein in the urine.
Palifermin has not yet been shown to be safe and effective in patients being treated for forms of cancer other than leukemia or lymphoma.
Palifermin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether palifermin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use palifermin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatment with palifermin if necessary. It is not known whether palifermin passes into breast milk. Do not take palifermin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
How should I use palifermin?
Palifermin is administered as an intravenous (into the vein) infusion. Most often, palifermin is administered in a hospital or clinic setting. If you are administering palifermin at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the medication.
Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with palifermin Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
Palifermin vials should be stored in the refrigerator. Palifermin vials should be protected from light. Store palifermin in the original carton until it is used. Do not freeze palifermin products.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of palifermin.
What happens if I overdose?
If an overdose of palifermin is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Symptoms of a palifermin overdose are not well known but may include headache.
What should I avoid while using palifermin?
Palifermin is given as an I .V. (in the vein) infusion for three days before you get chemotherapy and then three days after. Palifermin should not be given to you within 24 hours of your chemotherapy treatment.
Palifermin side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects from palifermin, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
fever;
breathing problems;
skin and mucus membrane side effects such as rash, redness, swelling, itching, unusual sensations in the mouth, tongue color change, tongue thickening and changes in taste.
Other common side effects include:
swelling;
pain;
joint pain;
increases in blood pancreas enzymes;
increased blood pressure; or
protein in the urine.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Palifermin Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Mucositis:
60 mcg/kg IV bolus daily for 6 doses administered on 3 consecutive days prior to and 3 consecutive days after myelotoxic therapy
Prior to myelotoxic therapy, administer the third dose no later than 24 to 48 hours prior to initiation of myelotoxic therapy.
Following myelotoxic therapy, administer the first dose no sooner than 4 days after the most recent palifermin administration and on the same day of hematopoietic stem cell infusion.
What other drugs will affect palifermin?
Palifermin can interact with heparin. If heparin is used to maintain your IV, your IV must be flushed with saline before and after palifermin.
Other medications may interact with palifermin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with palifermin.
More palifermin resources
- Palifermin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Palifermin Dosage
- Palifermin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Palifermin Drug Interactions
- Palifermin Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Palifermin - Add your own review/rating
- palifermin Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Palifermin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Palifermin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Palifermin Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Kepivance Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Kepivance Consumer Overview
Compare palifermin with other medications
- Mucositis
Where can I get more information?
- Your healthcare provider may have additional information about palifermin that you may read.
See also: palifermin side effects (in more detail)
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