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Plerixafor
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Description
Plerixafor is an anti-cancer medicine. It is used in the treatment of two types of blood cancers, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (when your body produces increased white blood cells), and multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells).
Plerixafor works by helping your bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside your bones where blood cell formation occurs) release stem cells into your blood so that they can be collected by an apheresis machine (a machine that separates your blood constituents) and transplanted back into your body.
Plerixafor may result in certain side effects such as dizziness, headache, muscle, and joint pain, difficulty sleeping, constipation, indigestion, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or if they become severe.
Plerixafor is given by your doctor in a clinic or a hospital setting. The dose and duration of the treatment will depend on your condition. Follow the instructions given by your doctor.
Plerixafor should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have any heart problems, or a history of cancer (leukaemia) before starting treatment with this medicine. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Plerixafor
Diarrhoea or Constipation
Nausea and vomiting
Injection site reactions
Anaemia (Low red blood cell count)
Headache
Dizziness
Difficulty sleeping
Flatulence (Passing of gas)
Indigestion
Stomach discomfort
Dryness of mouth
Numbness around the mouth
Sweating
Redness of skin
Muscle and joint pain
Bone pain
Uses of Plerixafor
What is it prescribed for?
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. The lymphocytes grow rapidly and form tumours (an abnormal mass of tissue) throughout your body. Symptoms may include swollen lymph nodes (small, round/bean-shaped clusters of cells that contain white blood cells), chest pain, fever, stomach pain, night sweats, weight loss, loss of appetite, etc. Plerixafor is used for the treatment of non-hodgkin's lymphoma.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. In this condition, the cancerous plasma cells cause damage to your bones, immune system, kidneys, and red blood cells. Symptoms if present may include loss of appetite, bone pain, and fever. Plerixafor is used for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The time taken by Plerixafor to show its effect is 30-60 minutes.Duration of effect
Plerixafor remains active in your body for an approximate duration of 4 to 18 hours after its intake.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendencies have been reported with Plerixafor.Usage in pregnancy?
Plerixafor may increase the risk of severe side effects in your developing foetus. Hence this medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is not known if Plerixafor passes into breastmilk and hence is not recommended during breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
Allergy
Avoid Plerixafor if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Plerixafor may increase the risk of severe side effects in your developing foetus. Hence this medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Plerixafor passes into breastmilk and hence is not recommended during breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
General warnings
Leukocytosis
Plerixafor may increase your risk of leukocytosis (increased white blood cell count). Your white blood cell count will be closely monitored.
Heart diseases
If you have a history of pre-existing heart problems, Plerixafor may increase your risk of a heart attack.
Inform your doctor if you experience chest discomfort after receiving this medicine.
Thrombocytopenia
Plerixafor may increase your risk of thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). Your platelet count will be closely monitored.
Splenomegaly (Enlarged spleen)
Spleen is a fist-size organ located above your stomach on your left side. It is part of your lymphatic system that helps fight infections. Plerixafor may increase your risk of splenomegaly. Inform your doctor if you experience left upper abdominal pain and/or shoulder pain after receiving this medicine.
Use with caution
Plerixafor may increase your risk of side effects such as urticaria (red, raised, itchy skin rash), dyspnoea (shortness of breath/difficulty in breathing), syncope (loss of consciousness), orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from sitting or lying down position). Inform your doctor if you experience these side effects or if they become severe.
Driving or operating machines
Plerixafor may increase your risk of dizziness, syncope (loss of consciousness). Do not drive vehicles or operate machines if you experience these symptoms after receiving this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since Plerixafor is given in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Since Plerixafor is given in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Disease interactions
Leukaemia
Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that affects your bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made) and results in high numbers of abnormal blood cells. If you have leukaemia, Plerixafor may cause mobilization of leukaemic cells and result in contamination of the apheresis machine (a machine that separates your blood constituents). Therefore, Plerixafor is not recommended if you have this condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Plerixafor is given in the clinic/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. It is important to receive every scheduled dose, hence do not discontinue therapy without consulting your doctor.
If you experience any reactions at the site of injection (redness/pain/swelling) that become bothersome, inform your doctor immediately.
Plerixafor may affect your red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet count. Periodic monitoring of your blood cell count is recommended.
Do not drive vehicles or operate machines after receiving Plerixafor if you experience any symptoms that may affect your mental alertness.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Plerixafor works by blocking a protein on the surface of blood stem cells. This protein binds the blood stem cells to the bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made). Blocking of this protein improves the release of stem cells into your blood (mobilization). Your stem cells are then be collected by an apheresis machine (a machine that separates your blood constituents), which are then frozen and stored until your transplant.
Plerixafor is given in combination with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), a medicine (blood growth factor) that stimulates your bone marrow to produce more white blood cells.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Hematopoietic stem cell mobilizer, Antineoplastics
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 September 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Mozobil 20 mg/ml solution for injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 September 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Nov 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.