Drug Cards -Biologic Response–Modifying And Antirheumatoid Drugs

Front 1

aldesleukin

Back 1

-

Front 2

epoetin

Back 2

IV or SC
Stimulates erythropoiesis for anemic patients with:
Renal failure
Chemotherapy
HIV
Frequent Blood donations

Adverse Effects: HTN
Seizure, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Edema, Fatigue, Iron depletion

Front 3

filgrastim

Back 3

FILGRASTIM, G-CSF (fil GRA stim) stimulates the formation of white blood cells. This medicine is given to patients with conditions that may cause a decrease in white blood cells, like those receiving certain types of chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant. It helps the bone marrow recover its ability to produce white blood cells. Increasing the amount of white blood cells helps to decrease the risk of infection and fever.

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
•difficulty breathing, wheezing
•fever
•pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
•stomach or side pain, or pain at the shoulder

Front 4

interferon alfa- 2a

Back 4

Interferon alfa-2a is a protein. Interferons are released in response to viral infections. Interferon alfa-2a is used to treat chronic hepatitis C, hairy cell leukemia, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, and some types of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).
Interferon alfa-2a is in the FDA pregnancy category C.
Interferon alfa-2a is used as an IM or SubQ
Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily to ensure adequate hydration, especially at the start of treatment.
Flulike symptoms are likely to occur. Symptoms of interferon alfa-2a overdose are not well known but may include decreased appetite, chills, fever, and muscle aches.

Front 5

interferon beta 1a

Back 5

Treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) to reduce the number of flare-ups and slow down the development of physical disability associated with MS.
Drug interactions:Medicines that may harm the liver (eg, acetaminophen, methotrexate, ketoconazole, isoniazid, certain medicines for HIV infection)
Adverse Side Effects: •depression, suicidal thoughts
Elderly more sensitive to effects

Front 6

oprelvekin

Back 6

Prevention of severe reductions in platelets caused by some chemotherapy. Oprelvekin is an interleukin.
SubQ -- not IM
may cause dizziness or fainting, serious eye problems (papilledema) may occur more often in children.
SEVERE side effects: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); eye infection; eye pain; fainting; heart flutter; irregular or fast heartbeat; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; pounding in the chest; severe headache, dizziness, or one-sided weakness; unusual bruising; unusual or severe swelling; vision changes

Front 7

rituximab

Back 7

Rituximab is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body; used in combination with other cancer medicines to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia; also used in combination with methotrexate to treat symptoms of adult rheumatoid arthritis.
Administered IV; usually Q/weekly for 4 to 8 weeks.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using rituximab, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine.
Adverse side effects: lower back pain; blood in your urine; numbness/tingling around mouth; low urine output; muscle weakness, tightness, or contraction, overactive reflexes; fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, SOA, fainting; uneven heartbeats, confusion, dizziness, chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder

Front 8

sargramostim

Back 8

Sargramostim is a man-made form of a protein that stimulates the growth of WBC; help prevent serious infection in conditions such as leukemia, bone marrow transplant, and pre-chemotherapy blood cell collection; for use in adults who are at least 55 years old.
Do not use if allergic to yeast.
pregnancy category C
IV or SubQ
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, weakness, headache, fever, chills, skin rash, fast heart rate, or trouble breathing.