Uses of Oprelvekin (Neumega)

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Oprelvekin is also known as Neumega drug. This is a synthetic (man-made) version of a substance called interleukin-11. Interleukin-11 is naturally produced by bone marrow cells in the body and works to make platelets, which are needed for blood clotting. Oprelvekin is used to prevent low platelet counts caused by treatment with certain cancer drugs.

1. What is Oprelvekin?


Oprelvekin drug, also known as Neumega drug, IL11. This is a type of colony-stimulating factor, which is a group of drugs that stimulate the production and function of blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. IL-11 is a protein produced by the body to enhance the production and maturation of platelets. Oprelvekin is a man-made version of IL-11 created to stimulate platelet production. Platelets are a type of blood cell that is responsible for forming blood clots properly, thus preventing bleeding; Platelet counts often drop during cancer treatment.
Oprelvekin is not a cancer treatment, but a supportive drug. This means that Oprelvekin is used to fight the effects of cancer and its treatments.

2. How to use Oprelvekin


Oprelvekin is given as an injection under the skin (under the skin) once daily, starting 6 to 24 hours after completing cancer treatment with chemotherapy. The actual therapeutic dose is based on your body size and will be determined by the treating physician.

3. How to store and handle Oprelvekin


How to store Oprelvekin: You should store Oprelvekin in medicine bottles in the refrigerator, protected from light. Once Oprelvekin has been mixed with sterile water, it must be used within 3 hours. Your treating doctor will instruct you or your caregiver on how to mix and inject. Keep the vials out of the reach of children and your household pets. How to handle Oprelvekin: Do not reuse Oprelvekin or cap the syringe or needle. Do not dispose of vials, syringes, or needles in the household trash. Dispose of all used vials, needles, and syringes in a puncture-proof disposable container with a lid.

4. Undesirable effects of drugs


When deciding to use Oprelvekin, the undesirable effects of taking the drug must be weighed against the benefits it will do. There are several things you can do to manage the side effects of Oprelvekin . Here are some of the most common or important side effects:
4.1. Allergic reactions Oprelvekin may cause an allergic reaction, which can be very serious. If you experience any of the following, tell your doctor right away: Swelling of your face, tongue, or throat; short of breath; wheeze; chest pain ; confusion; rash; flushing or fever. These reactions may occur after the first injection, but may also occur after subsequent injections.
4.2. Feeling nauseous or vomiting Talk to your doctor about feeling nauseous or vomiting a lot after taking the medicine. Your doctor will prescribe medication to help you control nausea and vomiting. Alternatively, you can also change your daily diet like this: Avoid things that can worsen symptoms, such as fried, greasy or fatty foods. Avoid using spices or acids (lemon, tomato, orange). Try gargling again with salt water or drinking ginger tea to ease uncomfortable symptoms. Inform your treating doctor if you cannot continue the infusion for more than 12 hours or if you feel light-headed or dizzy at any time. 4.3. Fluid retention Oprelvekin may cause fluid retention. This can lead to swelling of the hands or feet, fluid in the lungs specifically a pleural effusion or heart disease such as a pericardial effusion. You should tell your doctor if you have swelling in your hands, feet, feet or abdomen, sudden weight gain, a fast heartbeat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if you have a dry cough. 4.4. Fever Fever can be an unwanted side effect of Oprelvekin . You need to contact your doctor if a body temperature of 100.4°F is equivalent to 38°C or higher.
4.5. Low red blood cell count or anemia Your red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues in your body. When your red blood cell count is low, you may feel tired or weak. You should let your doctor or other medical professional know if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain. If your anemia is severe, you may need a blood transfusion.
4.6. Muscle or joint pain that accompanies a headache Oprelvekin works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce platelets, which can lead to pain in the bones. This pain is usually felt in the femur, hip and biceps. You may also experience muscle aches, chills, or flu-like symptoms.
You can talk to your treating doctor about pain relievers you can take to reduce discomfort.
4.7. Other side effects Less common, but important side effects may include:
Cardiovascular problems: Oprelvekin may cause heart problems including irregular heartbeats or irregular heartbeats. irregular heartbeat and new or worsening heart failure. In case, you are being treated with diuretics, make sure your doctor knows. This is because diuretics can lower your blood potassium levels, and Oprelvekin can make this worse. Blood clot formation, heart attack and stroke: Oprelvekin may increase your risk of blood clot formation, stroke, and heart attack. Symptoms may include: swelling, redness, or pain in the extremities, pain or pressure in the chest, pain in the arms, back, neck or jaw, trouble breathing, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking , confusion or mental state changes. If you experience any of these symptoms, you need to immediately seek medical attention to get the right treatment. Eye problems: Oprelvekin can, in rare cases, cause eye problems. Eye problems with Oprelvekin may include: Papillary edema (a medical condition characterized by swelling of the optic nerve); Changes in vision such as blurred vision and loss of vision. Optic neuropathy has also been reported, which is a loss of blood supply to the optic nerve. This leads to vision loss, which can happen quite quickly. Signs of optic neuropathy include redness or you may have bleeding in your eye. If you have any changes in your vision, tell your treating doctor right away.

5. Effects of drugs on reproduction


Exposure to Oprelvekin to an unborn baby can cause birth defects, so you should not become pregnant or father a child while being treated with this medicine. Birth control or the use of birth control is essential during treatment. Even if your menstrual cycle stops aka menopause for women or you believe you are not producing sperm for men, you may still be able to conceive and conceive. Also, for women who are breast-feeding: You should consult your doctor before breast-feeding while using this medicine.

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