plerixafor

Generic Name: plerixafor (pler IX a fore)

Brand Names: Mozobil

What is plerixafor?

Plerixafor works by helping your bone marrow release stem cells into your bloodstream so they can be collected and transplanted back into the body.

Plerixafor is used in people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or multiple myeloma.

Plerixafor may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about plerixafor?

Do not receive plerixafor without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to plerixafor, or if you have leukemia.

Before receiving plerixafor, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.

Plerixafor is given as an injection in a hospital or clinic setting. Before receiving plerixafor, you will be given another medication that will help your bone marrow produce stem cells and certain white blood cells that help support your immune system.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving plerixafor?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to plerixafor, or if you have leukemia.

To make sure you can safely use plerixafor, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not receive plerixafor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether plerixafor passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while receiving this medication.

How is plerixafor given?

Plerixafor is injected under the skin. You will receive this injection in a hospital or clinic setting.

Before receiving plerixafor, you will be given a medication called a granulocyte (GRAN-yoo-loe-site) colony stimulating factor, also called G-CSF. Some examples of a G-CSF are filgrastim (Neupogen), pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), and sargramostim (Leukine).

A G-CSF will cause your bone marrow to produce stem cells and certain white blood cells called granulocytes, which help support your immune system.

Plerixafor works together with the G-CSF by causing stem cells and granulocytes produced in the bone marrow to circulate into your blood stream where they can be collected in blood drawn from your vein.

After your blood is drawn, it will be processed so that the needed stem cells and granulocytes can be separated from other unneeded parts of the blood. These stem cells and granulocytes will then be "transplanted" back into your vein through an IV injection.

To be sure plerixafor is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often during your treatment.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive plerixafor in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include stomach discomfort, severe dizziness, or fainting.

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving plerixafor?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Plerixafor side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

  
  


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  feeling like you might pass out; or

  
  


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  pain in your upper stomach, spreading to your shoulder or back.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  nausea, vomiting;

  
  


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  diarrhea, constipation;

  
  


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  dry mouth, numbness in or around your mouth;

  
  


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  upset stomach, bloating, gas;

  
  


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  tired feeling, trouble sleeping;

  
  


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  headache, dizziness;

  
  


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  joint or muscle pain;

  
  


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  increased sweating; or

  
  


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  itching, rash, or other irritation where the medication was injected.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Plerixafor Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma:

Treatment with plerixafor should begin after the patient has received G-CSF once daily for four days. Plerixafor should be administered approximately 11 hours prior to initiation of apheresis for up to 4 consecutive days.

The recommended dose of plerixafor is 0.24 mg/kg body weight by subcutaneous (SC) injection.

The patient's actual body weight should be used to calculate the volume of plerixafor to be administered. Each vial delivers 1.2 mL of 20 mg/mL solution, and the volume to be administered to patients should be calculated from the following equation:
0.012 X patient's actual body weight (in kg) = volume to be administered (in mL)

In clinical studies, plerixafor dose has been calculated based on actual body weight in patients up to 175% of ideal body weight. The dose of plerixafor and the treatment of patients weighing more than 175% of ideal body weight have not been investigated.

Based on increasing exposure with increasing body weight, the plerixafor dose should not exceed 40 mg/day.

Daily morning doses of G-CSF 10 micrograms/kg for 4 days should be administered prior to the first evening dose of plerixafor and on each day prior to apheresis.

Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Myeloma:

Treatment with plerixafor should begin after the patient has received G-CSF once daily for four days. Plerixafor should be administered approximately 11 hours prior to initiation of apheresis for up to 4 consecutive days.

The recommended dose of plerixafor is 0.24 mg/kg body weight by subcutaneous (SC) injection.

The patient's actual body weight should be used to calculate the volume of plerixafor to be administered. Each vial delivers 1.2 mL of 20 mg/mL solution, and the volume to be administered to patients should be calculated from the following equation:
0.012 X patient's actual body weight (in kg) = volume to be administered (in mL)

In clinical studies, plerixafor dose has been calculated based on actual body weight in patients up to 175% of ideal body weight. The dose of plerixafor and the treatment of patients weighing more than 175% of ideal body weight have not been investigated.

Based on increasing exposure with increasing body weight, the plerixafor dose should not exceed 40 mg/day.

Daily morning doses of G-CSF 10 micrograms/kg for 4 days should be administered prior to the first evening dose of plerixafor and on each day prior to apheresis.

What other drugs will affect plerixafor?

There may be other drugs that can interact with plerixafor. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More plerixafor resources

• Plerixafor Side Effects (in more detail)
• Plerixafor Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Plerixafor Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Plerixafor - Add your own review/rating

• plerixafor Subcutaneous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Plerixafor Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Plerixafor MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Mozobil Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Mozobil Consumer Overview

Compare plerixafor with other medications

• Multiple Myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about plerixafor.

See also: plerixafor side effects (in more detail)