Oprelvekin (Systemic)

Brand Names : Neumega, interleukin-11, recombinant, rIL-11

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For oprelvekin, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to oprelvekin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Oprelvekin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, in rats and rabbits this medicine was found to cause harmful effects on the fetus, including miscarriages and poor growth. It has not been found to cause birth defects in animals.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether oprelvekin passes into breast milk. Discuss with your doctor whether or not you should breast-feed during treatment with this medicine.

Children - Oprelvekin has caused joint and tendon problems in animals and there is a possibility it could also cause these effects in children receiving it. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of oprelvekin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Congestive heart failure - May be worsened because oprelvekin causes the body to retain water
• Atrial arrhythmias (heart rhythm problems) - This medicine may cause heart rhythm problems
• Fluid build-up in the abdomen or lungs - May be worsened by oprelvekin