Your doctor has ordered palifermin to help treat your illness. The drug is given by injection into a vein.
You will probably be given three doses of palifermin before you receive your cancer chemotherapy treatment and three doses of palifermin after you receive your cancer chemotherapy treatment. You will not be given palifermin on the same day that you are given your cancer chemotherapy treatment. Palifermin must be given at least 24 hours before and at least 24 hours after chemotherapy.
prevent swelling, irritation and sores on the lining of the mouth and throat that may be caused by chemotherapy used to treat cancers of the blood or bone marrow (spongy tissue inside of bones where blood cells are formed).
speed the healing of the lining of the mouth and throat if it is damaged by chemotherapy used to treat cancers of the blood or bone marrow.
Palifermin is in a class of drugs known as human keratinocyte growth factors. It stops sores from forming in the lining of the mouth and throat and helps the lining of the mouth and throat heal faster if it is damaged.
Palifermin may not be safe to use to prevent and treat mouth sores in patients who have other types of cancer. Palfermin may cause some tumors to grow faster.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
thick tongue
change in color of tongue
change in ability to taste food
increased or decreased sensitivity to touch, especially in and around the mouth
burning or tingling, especially in and around the mouth
joint pain
rash
warm, red skin
itching
swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
fever
Palifermin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this drug.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
thick tongue
change in color of tongue
change in ability to taste food
increased or decreased sensitivity to touch, especially in and around the mouth
burning or tingling, especially in and around the mouth
joint pain
rash
warm, red skin
itching
swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
fever
Last Reviewed - 04/01/2012
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.