Colstim 300mcg Injection

Colstim 300mcg injection contains the active ingredient filgrastim. It is a white blood cell growth factor (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) approved by the FDA to decrease the risk of febrile neutropenia (fever or infection associated with low WBC count) and to reduce the duration of neutropenia (low white blood cell count) in patients with non-myeloid cancer receiving chemotherapy. It is also used to increase white blood cell count and decrease fever duration in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. Colstim 300mcg injection is also used in patients undergoing bone marrow transplants and in patients with severe chronic neutropenia (low neutrophil count in blood). The injection is used to prepare blood for leukapheresis (a procedure in which certain blood cells are removed from circulation). It is indicated to increase survival chances in patients exposed to harmful radiation doses that cause severe bone marrow damage. Other uses include treatment in patients with advanced HIV infection, helping to reduce infection risk. Colstim 300mcg injection belongs to the class of medications called colony-stimulating factors. They work by stimulating the body to produce more white blood cells. White blood cells are essential because they help your body fight infection. These cells are highly sensitive to chemotherapy effects, which may cause a decrease in their number. When white blood cell count decreases, your body may lack sufficient cells to combat bacteria, placing you at increased infection risk. Inform your doctor if you have or have had liver disease, kidney problems, sickle cell anaemia, or bone disease. Common side effects include fever, pain, rash, cough, shortness of breath, and nosebleed.

To prevent infections after chemotherapy due to decreased white blood cells (neutropenia)

Colstim 300mcg injection is a colony-stimulating factor that acts on blood-forming cells by binding to specific cell surface receptors, thereby inducing cell division, multiplication, and cell functional activation.

Colstim 300mcg injection is available as a prefilled syringe. A qualified healthcare professional will administer the injection in the fatty tissues just under your skin (subcutaneously) or it will be administered as an intravenous injection into your vein slowly. The dose, route of administration, and frequency will be decided by your doctor based on your disease condition and other factors. If your physician decides that you or your caregiver can administer the Colstim 300mcg injection at home, then read the “Instructions for use” carefully from the package insert with the medicine. Your doctor or other healthcare professionals will train you on self-administration. Do not administer the medicine if you have not been trained and are not sure about the administration procedure.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them. Common Pain in the bones, joints, and muscles Pain at the site of Injection Fever Itchiness and skin rash Nausea Headaches Dizziness and tiredness Nose bleeding Hair fall Serious Inflammation of Aorta Capillary leak syndrome (plasma leaks out of tiny blood vessels) Hypersensitivity reactions Changes in urine color Swelling in hands, feet, face, and abdomen Difficulty in breathing Sickle cell anemia

Inform your physician if you are experiencing any symptoms of swelling in the face, feet, hands, and abdomen, difficulty in breathing, sudden drop in blood pressure, left abdominal pain, weakness, and skin rashes. If you use the prefilled syringe, allow the medicine to warm for 30 minutes at room temperature before injecting. Read the package insert carefully if you are self-administering the medicine. This medicine may cause lung, liver, or kidney problems. Your physician may advise you to take laboratory tests regularly to monitor the effectiveness of the therapy.