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Filgrastim

NMDPSM relies on partnerships with clinicians to administer filgrastim injections to peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors. As a filgrastim administrator, you play a key role in preparing the donor for donation. Filgrastim injections are important as it ensures the donor has enough cells to donate to the patient.

Filgrastim’s purpose

Filgrastim has been approved by the FDA to mobilize PBSCs for patients getting chemotherapy or bone marrow transplants and for patients with diseases causing very low white blood cell counts.

As part of the PBSC collection process, donors receive filgrastim for five days leading up to donation. Since the 1990s, NMDP has used filgrastim under our Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to stimulate the release of PBSCs into a healthy donor’s bloodstream to aid in donation. All donors are fully informed of the potential risks and side effects of filgrastim as part of their informed consent process. For more information, visit the PBSC donation section.

Filgrastim administration process

  • Receive order form specifying the daily dose.
  • Do the daily assessment form before filgrastim administration (recommended).
  • Check in with the donor center representative to confirm medication should be administered if donor is experiencing grade 3 or 4 symptoms.
  • Take vitals.
  • Take measured weight (for day one administration only).
  • Verify proper dose according to order form; filgrastim may come in prefilled syringes.
  • Inject filgrastim subcutaneously in the upper arms, thighs or abdomen using a small-gauge needle; inject no more than 2.0 mL of filgrastim in any one site.
  • Discard empty filgrastim vials or prefilled syringes after administration is complete. Note: Unused vials or prefilled syringes may not be used for any other patient and must be discarded.
  • Complete daily assessment forms.

Day one allergic response assessment

ENSURE access to emergency response such as 911 and EpiPen®.
OBSERVE donor for 15 minutes following the first injection.
TREAT donor as necessary if reaction occurs; possible reactions include rash or difficulty breathing.
CALL the donor center representative immediately if the donor has a reaction once treatment has been provided.