Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, usually in the stomach (abdomen) or thigh.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Call your doctor if you have any questions.

You may also be taught how to give this medicine at home. Read and follow the directions in the Instructions for Use sheet before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. Call your doctor if you have any questions.

To use at home:

  • You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area for each shot.
  • Do not inject into skin areas that are tender, red, bruised, hard, or have scars or stretch marks.
  • Do not eat or drink while handling this medicine. Use it in an area away from food or food preparation.
  • Wear disposable gloves and protective eyewear when handling this medicine.
  • Wash your hands before and after wearing the gloves.
  • Do not recap or clip the used needle. This could cause a needle-stick injury.
  • If you get this medicine on your skin, wash the area with soap and water.
  • If you get this medicine in your eyes, flush the eyes with water and call your doctor right away.
  • If you accidentally spill this medicine, do not touch the area unless you are wearing gloves and protective eyewear. Use an adsorbent pad to wipe the spill and wash the area with soap and water. Put all the supplies that were used to clean the spill in the biohazard container and call your healthcare provider right away to report the spill.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form:
    • For chronic myeloid leukemia:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body surface area and must be determined by your doctor. At first, 1.25 milligrams (mg) per square meter (m(2)) of body surface area injected under the skin every 12 hours for 14 days. The dose is repeated every 28 days. Your doctor may adjust the schedule to one shot every 12 hours for 7 days during the 28-day cycle.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

To store syringes at home:

  • Use an ice pack or cooler to carry the syringes from your doctor's office.
  • If placed in a refrigerator, use the syringes within 6 days after you receive them. Do not allow food or drinks to touch the syringes.
  • If placed at room temperature, use the syringes within 12 hours after you receive them.

Do not throw the used syringes, needles, or other supplies in a household trash or recycle container. Put all of the used supplies in the biohazard container and return it to your doctor for disposal.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

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