NEUMEGA

Drug Name: NEUMEGA

NEUMEGA DESCRIPTION:
OPRELVEKIN - INJECTION (oh-PRELL-veh-kin)

COMMON NEUMEGA BRAND NAME(S):
Neumega

NEUMEGA SIDE EFFECTS:
Weakness, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, arm or leg swelling may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly chest pain, rapid or irregular heart beats, fainting, muscle or bone pain, nervousness or difficulty sleeping, mouth sores, eye pain, bruising or bleeding. Unlikely but report promptly persistent sore throat, cough, or fever. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, facial swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE NEUMEGA:
NEUMEGA: Use exactly as directed by injection under the skin (SQ or SC) of the abdomen, thigh or hip once daily for 10 to 21 days, beginning after chemotherapy. Doses and duration of treatment are adjusted based on your condition. Learn all the preparation and administration instructions in the product package and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unclear on any information. Do not shake the vial. Do not use if the mixture is cloudy or colored. A puncture resistant container should be used for the disposal of used needles and syringes.

NEUMEGA USES:
NEUMEGA is used to prevent low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) and to reduce the need for blood transfusions following cancer treatments.

NEUMEGA PRECAUTIONS:
Before using NEUMEGA, tell your doctor your entire medical history, including any allergies (especially drug allergies), any heart diseases, severe water retention, high blood pressure, eye disease (e.g., papilledema), or brain tumors. Limit alcohol intake as it may enhance certain side effects of NEUMEGA. Since NEUMEGA may cause dizziness or fatigue, use extreme caution if operating machinery or performing hazardous tasks (e.g., driving). NEUMEGA should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether NEUMEGA is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using NEUMEGA is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Caution is advised when this product is used in the elderly.

NEUMEGA DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially diuretics ("water pills" such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), and other blood pressure control drugs and certain chemotherapy agents (e.g., doxorubicin, ifosfamide). Certain laboratory values may decrease during treatment with NEUMEGA (e.g., hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, albumin, calcium). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

NEUMEGA OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NEUMEGA NOTES:
Do not share NEUMEGA with others. Laboratory tests may be taken to monitor drug effectiveness and side effects.

MISSED NEUMEGA DOSE:
Each dose should be used at about the same time each day. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

NEUMEGA STORAGE:
Store in a refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees F (2- 8 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not freeze or shake. Diluted drug must be used within 3 hours of mixing and can be stored in the vial either at 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) or at room temperature up to 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Discard any unused portion of the vial.