User:Mr. Ibrahem/Filgrastim

Filgrastim, sold under the brand name Neupogen among others, is a medication used to treat low neutrophil count. Low neutrophil counts may occur with HIV/AIDS, following chemotherapy or radiation poisoning, or be of an unknown cause. It may also be used to increase white blood cells for gathering during leukapheresis. It is given either by injection into a vein or under the skin.

Common side effects include fever, cough, chest pain, joint pain, vomiting, and hair loss. Severe side effects include splenic rupture and allergic reactions. It is unclear if use in pregnancy is safe for the baby. Filgrastim is a recombinant-DNA form of the naturally occurring granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). It works by stimulating the body to increase neutrophil production.

Filgrastim was approved for medical use in the United States in 1991. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about US$3.95 to US$94.66 per dose. In the United Kingdom it cost the NHS about £50.15 per 300 μg dose. In the United States treatment costs more than US$200. Filgrastim biosimilar medications are also available.