Oprelvekin

Patients who have low platelet count or excessive bleeding after certain types of chemotherapy might be prescribed oprelvekin. This medication is injected into the thigh or hip once every 24 hours to increase platelet count and reduce the need for a blood transfusion.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication can cause a severe allergic reaction in some patients. Patients may have difficulty breathing, experience swelling in the face or throat or break out in hives. Patients who have an allergic reaction to this medication should go to the emergency room and should stop taking this medication immediately.

Patients should not use this medication for longer than 21 days, as doing so increases the risk of serious side effects. Patients should also inject the medication into a different area of the skin every day to avoid skin problems.