Blood Cancer

Medical uses of Plerixafor Injection

  • August 17, 2021
  • 2 mins read

Plerixafor is introduced to mobilise the blood stem cells from a patient’s bone marrow so that they can be gathered and considered later for transplantation in the same recipient. It is also introduced to use together with hormone G-CSF (Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor) and is only for recipients in whom collection of stem cells is so tough. The recipients who are given Plerixafor are:

  • Adult patients with lymphoma or multiple myeloma (types of blood cancer). 
  • Children aged from 1 year who have lymphoma or solid tumours.

Approval: Plerixafor 24mg has orphan drug status in the US as well as EU for mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells. On 15’th December 2008, Plerixafor was approved by the USFDA. In the EU, the medication plerixafor was approved following a positive Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use assessment report in the month of May, 2009. On 8’th December 2011, Plerixafor was approved for medical use by Health Canada.

Dosage Form: Plerixafor comes in the form of injection generically and under the brand name Mozobil. Vials of plerixafor injection 20 mg/ml should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration before administration and should not be used in case there is particulate matter or if the plerixafor solution is discolored. Begin therapy with Plerixafor following the patient has taken G-CSF once daily for four days. The plerixafor should be administered around 11 hours before starting each apheresis for up to four consecutive days. 

The recommended dose of Plerixafor is 0.24 mg per kg body weight administered by SC (subcutaneous) injection. Patient’s actual body weight should be considered to calculate the volume of Plerixafor to be administered. Each plerixafor vial delivers 1.2mL of 20mg/mL solution, and the drug volume to be used for patients must be calculated by equation: 0.012 X patient’s actual body weight (in kg) = volume to be administered (in mL). 

Side Effects: Side effects of plerixafor injection 24 mg/1.2 ml are usually mild and transient. The most commonly reported side effects are diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, artralgia, injection site reactions, headache, vomiting and dizziness. 

The plerixafor injection price in India may vary depending on the wholesaler or pharmacy and of course the brand you choose. To know the exact cost of plerixafor kindly get in touch with Ikris Pharma Network.