1. Patient guide
2. Neutropenia
3. What you need to know before you use Filgrastim Teva?
4. Possible side effects of Filgrastim Teva
5. Information for injecting yourself
6. Disposing of used syringes

Neutropenia is an abnormally low level of neutrophils. Neutrophils are a common type of white blood cell important for fighting off infections — particularly those caused by bacteria.
Cancer chemotherapy is probably the most common cause of neutropenia. People with chemotherapy-related neutropenia are prone to infections while they wait for their cell counts to recover.
Neutrophils are manufactured in bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside some of your larger bones. Anything that disrupts neutrophil production can result in neutropenia²

Neutropenia itself may not cause any symptoms. Patients usually find out they have neutropenia from a blood test or when they get an infection. Some people will feel more tired when they have neutropenia. Your doctor will schedule regular blood tests to look for neutropenia and other blood-related side effects of chemotherapy.
For patients with neutropenia, even a minor infection can quickly become serious. Talk with your health care team right away if you have any of these signs of infection: ⁴

• A fever, which is a temperature of 38 °C or higher
• Chills or sweating
• Sore throat, sores in the mouth, or a toothache
• Abdominal pain
• Pain near the anus
• Pain or burning when urinating, or urinating often
• Diarrhoea or sores around the anus
• A cough or shortness of breath
• Any redness, swelling, or pain (especially around a cut, wound, or catheter)
• Unusual vaginal discharge or itching

Do not use FILGRASTIM TEVA:

• If you are hypersensitive (allergic) to filgrastim or any of the other ingredients of FILGRASTIM TEVA.
• If you have severely low white blood cell levels that were detected soon after your birth (Kostmann’s syndrome) with abnormal cell structure or function.
• If you have kidney or liver problems.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding your baby.

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional before being given the injection if:

• You have a history of sickle cell disease because FILGRASTIM TEVA can cause sickle cell crisis (a painful episode that occurs in people who have sickle cell anaemia. Sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood vessels. Because of this, blood and oxygen cannot get to the tissues, causing pain).
• If you have osteoporosis (bone disease). Your doctor will monitor your 5 bone mineral density if you are receiving FILGRASTIM TEVA for more than six months.

You have symptoms of cough, fever, shortness of breath or trouble breathing because these may be signs of a serious lung problem called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Stop treatment with FILGRASTIM TEVA immediately and consult your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

FILGRASTIM TEVA can have side effects.
Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking this medicine, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional for advice.
If any of the following happens, stop taking FILGRASTIM TEVA and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:

• Weakness, drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face (anaphylaxis)
• Skin rash, itchy rash (urticaria)
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat (angioedema)
• Shortness of breath (dyspnoea) These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious allergic reaction to FILGRASTIM TEVA. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. Tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following: ⁶
• Cough, fever and difficulty breathing as this can be a sign of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
• Severe pain in the bones, chest, gut or joints (sickle cell crisis)

These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention

• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Lack of appetite
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue), general weakness
• Hair loss
• Chest pain
• Musculoskeletal pain

Information about other less frequently occurring side effects are included in the package insert enclosed in the FILGRASTIM TEVA carton.
If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.