Drug Detail:Palifermin (Palifermin [ pal-ee-fer-min ])
Drug Class: Miscellaneous uncategorized agents
Usual Adult Dose for Mucositis
60 mcg/kg IV (as a bolus) once a day, administered for 3 consecutive days before and 3 consecutive days after myelotoxic therapy
Comments:
- Prior to myelotoxic therapy: The third dose should be administered 24 to 48 hours prior to beginning the myelotoxic agent.
- Following myelotoxic therapy: The first dose should be administered on the day of hematopoietic stem cell infusion after the infusion is complete, AND at least 7 days after the most recent dose of this drug.
Uses:
- Decrease the incidence and duration of severe oral mucositis in patients with hematologic malignancies receiving myelotoxic therapy in the setting of autologous hematopoietic stem cell support
- Supportive care for preparative regiments predicted to result in greater than or equal to WHO Grade 3 mucositis in the majority of patients
Renal Dose Adjustments
No adjustment recommended.
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- None
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 1 year.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- This drug should be given as a IV bolus injection; the solution should not be filtered.
- If heparin is used, IV lines should be rinsed with saline prior to and after administration.
- Prior to administration, this drug should be allowed to reach room temperature for up to 1 hour (protected from light); however, this drug will need to be discarded in excursions exceeding 1 hour.
Storage requirements:
- Unopened vials: Store refrigerated (2 to 8C), and protect from light. Do not freeze.
- Reconstituted solution: The solution may be stored refrigerated (2 to 8C) and protected from light in its carton for up to 24 hours; the solution should be discarded after 24 hours if it is not used.
- Reconstituted solutions left at room temperature for longer than 1 hour should be discarded.
Reconstitution/preparation techniques: The manufacturer product information should be consulted.
IV compatibility:
- Compatible: Sterile water for injection
- Other medications should not be added to solutions containing this drug.
General:
- Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients with non-hematologic malignancies.
- This drug was not effective in decreasing severe mucositis in patients with hematologic malignancies who were receiving myelotoxic therapy with allogenic hematopoietic stem cell support.
- Once reconstituted, it is recommended that this drug is used immediately.
- Limitation of use: Treatment is not recommended for use with melphalan 200 mg/m2 as a conditioning regimen.
Monitoring:
- HEMATOLOGIC: Platelet counts
Patient advice:
- Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.