Filgrastim ratiopharm

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ANNEX I 
 

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS 
 

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1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 30 MIU/0.5 ml solution for injection or infusion 
 
 
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION 
 
Each ml of solution for injection or infusion contains 60 million international units [MIU] (600 µg) of 
filgrastim. 
 
Each pre-filled syringe contains 30 MIU (300 µg) of filgrastim in 0.5 ml solution for injection or 
infusion. 
 
Filgrastim (recombinant methionyl human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) is produced in 
Escherichia coli K802 by recombinant DNA technology. 
 
Excipient: Each ml of solution contains 50 mg of sorbitol. 
For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1. 
 
 
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM 
 
Solution for injection or infusion 
 
Clear, colourless solution. 
 
 
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS 
 
4.1 Therapeutic indications 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm is indicated for the reduction in the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of 
febrile neutropenia in patients treated with established cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy (with 
the exception of chronic myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes) and for the reduction in 
the duration of neutropenia in patients undergoing myeloablative therapy followed by bone marrow 
transplantation considered to be at increased risk of prolonged severe neutropenia. The safety and 
efficacy of filgrastim are similar in adults and children receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm is indicated for the mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC). 
 
In patients, children or adults, with severe congenital, cyclic, or idiopathic neutropenia with an 
absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of ≤ 0.5 x 109/l, and a history of severe or recurrent infections, long 
term administration of Filgrastim ratiopharm is indicated to increase neutrophil counts and to reduce 
the incidence and duration of infection-related events. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm is indicated for the treatment of persistent neutropenia (ANC less than or equal 
to 1.0 x 109/l) in patients with advanced HIV infection, in order to reduce the risk of bacterial 
infections when other options to manage neutropenia are inappropriate. 
 
4.2 Posology and method of administration 
 
Special requirements 
 
Filgrastim therapy should only be given in collaboration with an oncology centre which has 
experience in granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment and haematology and has the 
necessary diagnostic facilities. The mobilisation and apheresis procedures should be performed in 

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collaboration with an oncology-haematology centre with acceptable experience in this field and where 
the monitoring of haematopoietic progenitor cells can be correctly performed. 
 
Established cytotoxic chemotherapy 
 
The recommended dose of filgrastim is 0.5 MIU (5 μg)/kg/day. The first dose of filgrastim should not 
be administered less than 24 hours following cytotoxic chemotherapy. Filgrastim may be given as a 
daily subcutaneous injection or as a daily intravenous infusion diluted in glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) 
solution for infusion given over 30 minutes (see section 6.6 for instructions on dilution). 
 
The subcutaneous route is preferred in most cases. There is some evidence from a study of single dose 
administration that intravenous dosing may shorten the duration of effect. The clinical relevance of 
this finding to multiple dose administration is not clear. The choice of route should depend on the 
individual clinical circumstance. In randomised clinical trials, a subcutaneous dose of 23 MIU 
(230 μg)/m2/day (4.0 to 8.4 μg/kg/day) was used. 
 
Daily dosing with filgrastim should continue until the expected neutrophil nadir is passed and the 
neutrophil count has recovered to the normal range. Following established chemotherapy for solid 
tumours, lymphomas and lymphoid leukaemias, it is expected that the duration of treatment required 
to fulfil these criteria will be up to 14 days. Following induction and consolidation treatment for acute 
myeloid leukaemia the duration of treatment may be substantially longer (up to 38 days) depending on 
the type, dose and schedule of cytotoxic chemotherapy used. 
 
In patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, a transient increase in neutrophil counts is typically seen 
1 to 2 days after initiation of filgrastim therapy. However, for a sustained therapeutic response, 
filgrastim therapy should not be discontinued before the expected nadir has passed and the neutrophil 
count has recovered to the normal range. Premature discontinuation of filgrastim therapy prior to the 
time of the expected neutrophil nadir is not recommended. 
 
In patients treated with myeloablative therapy followed by bone marrow transplantation 
 
The recommended starting dose of filgrastim is 1.0 MIU (10 μg)/kg/day given as a 30 minute or 
24 hour intravenous infusion or 1.0 MIU (10 μg)/kg/day given by continuous 24 hour subcutaneous 
infusion. Filgrastim should be diluted in 20 ml of glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for infusion (see 
section 6.6 for instructions on dilution). 
 
The first dose of filgrastim should not be administered less than 24 hours following cytotoxic 
chemotherapy and within 24 hours of bone marrow infusion. 
 
Once the neutrophil nadir has been passed the daily dose of filgrastim should be titrated against the 
neutrophil response as follows: 
 
Neutrophil count Filgrastim dose adjustment 
> 1.0 x 109/l for 3 consecutive days Reduce to 0.5 MIU (5 µg)/kg/day 
Then, if ANC remains > 1.0 x 109/l for 3 more 
consecutive days 

Discontinue filgrastim 

If the ANC decreases to < 1.0 x 109/l during the treatment period the dose of filgrastim should be re-
escalated according to the above steps 
 
For the mobilisation of PBPC in patients undergoing myelosuppressive or myeloablative therapy 
followed by autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation 
 
The recommended dose of filgrastim for PBPC mobilisation when used alone is 1.0 MIU 
(10 μg)/kg/day as a 24 hour subcutaneous continuous infusion or a single daily subcutaneous injection 
for 5 to 7 consecutive days. For infusions, filgrastim should be diluted in 20 ml of glucose 50 mg/ml 
(5%) solution for infusion (see section 6.6 for instructions on dilution). Timing of leukapheresis: 1 or 

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2 leukaphereses on days 5 and 6 are often sufficient. In other circumstances, additional leukaphereses 
may be necessary. Filgrastim dosing should be maintained until the last leukapheresis. 
 
The recommended dose of filgrastim for PBPC mobilisation after myelosuppressive chemotherapy is 
0.5 MIU (5 μg)/kg/day given daily by subcutaneous injection from the first day after completion of 
chemotherapy until the expected neutrophil nadir is passed and the neutrophil count has recovered to 
the normal range. Leukapheresis should be performed during the period when the ANC rises from < 
0.5 x 109/l to > 5.0 x 109/l. For patients who have not had extensive chemotherapy, one leukapheresis 
is often sufficient. In other circumstances, additional leukaphereses are recommended. 
 
For the mobilisation of PBPC in normal donors prior to allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell 
transplantation 
 
For PBPC mobilisation in normal donors, filgrastim should be administered at 1.0 MIU (10 μg)/kg/day 
subcutaneously for 4 to 5 consecutive days. Leukapheresis should be started at day 5 and continued 
until day 6 if needed in order to collect 4 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg recipient bodyweight. 
 
In patients with severe chronic neutropenia (SCN) 
 
Congenital neutropenia 
The recommended starting dose is 1.2 MIU (12 μg)/kg/day subcutaneously as a single dose or in 
divided doses. 
 
Idiopathic or cyclic neutropenia 
The recommended starting dose is 0.5 MIU (5 μg)/kg/day subcutaneously as a single dose or in 
divided doses. 
 
Dose adjustment 
Filgrastim should be administered daily by subcutaneous injection until the neutrophil count has 
reached and can be maintained at more than 1.5 x 109/l. When the response has been obtained, the 
minimal effective dose to maintain this level should be established. Long-term daily administration is 
required to maintain an adequate neutrophil count. After one to two weeks of therapy, the initial dose 
may be doubled or halved depending upon the patient's response. Subsequently the dose may be 
individually adjusted every 1 to 2 weeks to maintain the average neutrophil count between 1.5 x 109/l 
and 10 x 109/l. A faster schedule of dose escalation may be considered in patients presenting with 
severe infections. In clinical trials, 97% of patients who responded had a complete response at doses of 
2.4 MIU (24 μg)/kg/day. The long-term safety of filgrastim administration above 2.4 MIU 
(24 μg)/kg/day in patients with SCN has not been established. 
 
In patients with HIV infection 
 
For reversal of neutropenia 
The recommended starting dose of filgrastim is 0.1 MIU (1 μg)/kg/day given daily by subcutaneous 
injection with titration up to a maximum of 0.4 MIU (4 μg)/kg/day until a normal neutrophil count is 
reached and can be maintained (ANC > 2.0 x109/l). In clinical studies, > 90% of patients responded at 
these doses, achieving reversal of neutropenia in a median of 2 days. 
 
In a small number of patients (< 10%), doses up to 1.0 MIU (10 μg)/kg/day were required to achieve 
reversal of neutropenia. 
 
For maintaining normal neutrophil counts 
When reversal of neutropenia has been achieved, the minimal effective dose to maintain a normal 
neutrophil count should be established. Initial dose adjustment to alternate day dosing with 30 MIU 
(300 μg)/day by subcutaneous injection is recommended. Further dose adjustment may be necessary, 
as determined by the patient's ANC, to maintain the neutrophil count at > 2.0 x 109/l. In clinical 
studies, dosing with 30 MIU (300 μg)/day on 1 to 7 days per week was required to maintain the ANC 

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> 2.0 x 109/l, with the median dose frequency being 3 days per week. Long-term administration may 
be required to maintain the ANC > 2.0 x 109/l. 
 
Special populations 
 
Elderly patients 
Clinical trials with filgrastim have included a small number of elderly patients but special studies have 
not been performed in this group and therefore specific dosage recommendations cannot be made. 
 
Patients with renal or hepatic impairment 
Studies of filgrastim in patients with severe impairment of renal or hepatic function demonstrate that it 
exhibits a similar pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile to that seen in normal individuals. 
Dose adjustment is not required in these circumstances. 
 
Paediatric use in the SCN and cancer settings 
Sixty-five percent of the patients studied in the SCN trial programme were under 18 years of age. The 
efficacy of treatment was clear for this age group, which included most patients with congenital 
neutropenia. There were no differences in the safety profiles for paediatric patients treated for severe 
chronic neutropenia. 
 
Data from clinical studies in paediatric patients indicate that the safety and efficacy of filgrastim are 
similar in both adults and children receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. 
 
The dosage recommendations in paediatric patients are the same as those in adults receiving 
myelosuppressive cytotoxic chemotherapy. 
 
4.3 Contraindications 
 
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. 
 
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use 
 
Special warnings 
 
Filgrastim should not be used to increase the dose of cytotoxic chemotherapy beyond established 
dosage regimens (see below). 
 
Filgrastim should not be administered to patients with severe congenital neutropenia (Kostman's 
syndrome) with abnormal cytogenetics (see below). 
 
Special precautions in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia 
 
Malignant cell growth 
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor can promote growth of myeloid cells in vitro and similar effects 
may also be seen on some non-myeloid cells in vitro. 
 
The safety and efficacy of filgrastim administration in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or 
chronic myelogenous leukaemia have not been established. Therefore, filgrastim is not indicated for 
use in these conditions. Particular care should be taken to distinguish the diagnosis of blast 
transformation of chronic myeloid leukaemia from acute myeloid leukaemia. 
 
In view of limited safety and efficacy data in patients with secondary AML, filgrastim should be 
administered with caution. 
 
The safety and efficacy of filgrastim administration in de novo AML patients aged < 55 years with 
good cytogenetics [t(8;21), t(15;17), and inv(16)] have not been established. 
 

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Other special precautions 
Monitoring of bone density may be indicated in patients with underlying osteoporotic bone diseases 
who undergo continuous therapy with filgrastim for more than 6 months. 
 
Rare pulmonary undesirable effects, in particular interstitial pneumonia, have been reported after G-
CSF administration. Patients with a recent history of pulmonary infiltrates or pneumonia may be at 
higher risk. The onset of pulmonary signs such as cough, fever and dyspnoea in association with 
radiological signs of pulmonary infiltrates and deterioration in pulmonary function may be preliminary 
signs of Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Filgrastim should be discontinued and 
appropriate treatment given in these cases. 
 
Special precautions in cancer patients 
 
Leukocytosis 
White blood cell counts of 100 x 109/l or greater have been observed in less than 5% of patients 
receiving filgrastim at doses above 0.3 MIU/kg/day (3 μg/kg/day). No undesirable effects directly 
attributable to this degree of leukocytosis have been reported. However, in view of the potential risks 
associated with severe leukocytosis, a white blood cell count should be performed at regular intervals 
during filgrastim therapy. If leukocyte counts exceed 50 x 109/l after the expected nadir, filgrastim 
should be discontinued immediately. However, during the period of administration of filgrastim for 
PBPC mobilisation, filgrastim should be discontinued or its dosage should be reduced if the leukocyte 
counts rise to > 70 x 109/l. 
 
Risks associated with increased doses of chemotherapy 
Special caution should be used when treating patients with high dose chemotherapy because improved 
tumour outcome has not been demonstrated and intensified doses of chemotherapeutic agents may lead 
to increased toxicities including cardiac, pulmonary, neurologic and dermatologic effects (please refer 
to the Summary of Product Characteristics of the specific chemotherapy agents used). 
 
Treatment with filgrastim alone does not preclude thrombocytopenia and anaemia due to 
myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Because of the potential of receiving higher doses of chemotherapy 
(e.g. full doses on the prescribed schedule) the patient may be at greater risk of thrombocytopenia and 
anaemia. Regular monitoring of platelet count and haematocrit is recommended. Special care should 
be taken when administering single or combination chemotherapeutic agents which are known to 
cause severe thrombocytopenia. 
 
The use of filgrastim-mobilised PBPCs has been shown to reduce the depth and duration of 
thrombocytopenia following myelosuppressive or myeloablative chemotherapy. 
 
Other special precautions 
The effects of filgrastim in patients with substantially reduced myeloid progenitors have not been 
studied. Filgrastim acts primarily on neutrophil precursors to exert its effect in elevating neutrophil 
counts. Therefore, in patients with reduced precursors, neutrophil response may be diminished (such 
as those treated with extensive radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or those with bone marrow infiltration 
by tumour). 
 
There have been reports of graft versus host disease (GvHD) and fatalities in patients receiving G-CSF 
after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (see section 5.1). 
 
Increased haematopoietic activity of the bone marrow in response to growth factor therapy has been 
associated with transient positive bone-imaging findings. This should be considered when interpreting 
bone-imaging results. 
 
Special precautions in patients undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilisation 
 
Mobilisation 

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There are no prospectively randomised comparisons of the two recommended mobilisation methods 
(filgrastim alone or in combination with myelosuppressive chemotherapy) within the same patient 
population. The degree of variation between individual patients and between laboratory assays of 
CD34+ cells mean that direct comparison between different studies is difficult. It is therefore difficult 
to recommend an optimum method. The choice of mobilisation method should be considered in 
relation to the overall objectives of treatment for an individual patient. 
 
Prior exposure to cytotoxic agents 
Patients who have undergone very extensive prior myelosuppressive therapy may not show sufficient 
mobilisation of PBPC to achieve the recommended minimum yield (2.0 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg) or 
acceleration of platelet recovery to the same degree. 
 
Some cytotoxic agents exhibit particular toxicities to the haematopoietic progenitor pool and may 
adversely affect progenitor mobilisation. Agents such as melphalan, carmustine (BCNU) and 
carboplatin, when administered over prolonged periods prior to attempts at progenitor mobilisation, 
may reduce progenitor yield. However, the administration of melphalan, carboplatin or BCNU 
together with filgrastim has been shown to be effective for progenitor mobilisation. When a peripheral 
blood progenitor cell transplantation is envisaged it is advisable to plan the stem cell mobilisation 
procedure early in the treatment course of the patient. Particular attention should be paid to the number 
of progenitors mobilised in such patients before the administration of high-dose chemotherapy. If 
yields are inadequate, as measured by the criteria above, alternative forms of treatment not requiring 
progenitor support should be considered. 
 
Assessment of progenitor cell yields 
In assessing the number of progenitor cells harvested in patients treated with filgrastim, particular 
attention should be paid to the method of quantitation. The results of flow cytometric analysis of 
CD34+ cell numbers vary depending on the precise methodology used and therefore, recommendations 
of numbers based on studies in other laboratories need to be interpreted with caution. 
 
Statistical analysis of the relationship between the number of CD34+ cells re-infused and the rate of 
platelet recovery after high-dose chemotherapy indicates a complex but continuous relationship.  
 
The recommendation of a minimum yield of 2.0 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg is based on published 
experience resulting in adequate haematologic reconstitution. Yields in excess of this minimum yield 
appear to correlate with more rapid recovery, those below with slower recovery.  
 
Special precautions in normal donors undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilisation 
 
Mobilisation of PBPC does not provide a direct clinical benefit to normal donors and should only be 
considered for the purposes of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. 
 
PBPC mobilisation should be considered only in donors who meet normal clinical and laboratory 
eligibility criteria for stem cell donation. Particular attention should be paid to haematological values 
and infectious diseases. 
 
The safety and efficacy of filgrastim have not been assessed in normal donors < 16 years or > 60 
years. 
 
Transient thrombocytopenia (platelets < 100 x 109/l) following filgrastim administration and 
leukapheresis was observed in 35% of subjects studied. Among these, two cases of platelets < 50 x 
109/l were reported and attributed to the leukapheresis procedure. 
 
If more than one leukapheresis is required, particular attention should be paid to donors with platelets 
< 100 x 109/l prior to leukapheresis; in general apheresis should not be performed if platelets < 75 x 
109/l. 
 

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Leukapheresis should not be performed in donors who are anticoagulated or who have known defects 
in haemostasis. 
 
Filgrastim administration should be discontinued or its dosage should be reduced if the leukocyte 
counts rise to > 70 x109/l. 
 
Donors who receive G-CSFs for PBPC mobilisation should be monitored until haematological indices 
return to normal. 
 
Transient cytogenic modifications have been observed in normal donors following G-CSF use. The 
significance of these changes in terms of the development of haematological malignancy is unknown. 
Long-term safety follow-up of donors is ongoing. A risk of promotion of a malignant myeloid clone 
can not be excluded. It is recommended that the apheresis centre perform a systematic record and 
tracking of the stem cell donors for at least 10 years to ensure monitoring of long-term safety. 
 
Common but generally asymptomatic cases of splenomegaly and very rare cases of splenic rupture 
have been reported in healthy donors and patients following administration of G-CSFs. Some cases of 
splenic rupture were fatal. Therefore, spleen size should be carefully monitored (e.g. clinical 
examination, ultrasound). A diagnosis of splenic rupture should be considered in donors and/or 
patients reporting left upper abdominal pain or shoulder tip pain. 
 
In normal donors, pulmonary adverse events (haemoptysis, pulmonary haemorrhage, lung infiltrates, 
dyspnoea and hypoxia) have been reported very rarely in postmarketing experience. In case of 
suspected or confirmed pulmonary adverse events, discontinuation of treatment with filgrastim should 
be considered and appropriate medical care given. 
 
Special precautions in recipients of allogeneic PBPC mobilised with filgrastim 
 
Current data indicate that immunological interactions between the allogeneic PBPC graft and the 
recipient may be associated with an increased risk of acute and chronic GvHD when compared with 
bone marrow transplantation. 
 
Special precautions in SCN patients 
 
Blood cell counts 
Platelet counts should be monitored closely, especially during the first few weeks of filgrastim 
therapy. Consideration should be given to intermittent cessation or decreasing the dose of filgrastim in 
patients who develop thrombocytopenia, i.e. platelets consistently < 100,000/mm3. 
 
Other blood cell changes occur, including anaemia and transient increases in myeloid progenitors, 
which require close monitoring of cell counts. 
 
Transformation to leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome 
Special care should be taken in the diagnosis of severe chronic neutropenias to distinguish them from 
other haematopoietic disorders such as aplastic anaemia, myelodysplasia and myeloid leukaemia. 
Complete blood cell counts with differential and platelet counts and an evaluation of bone marrow 
morphology and karyotype should be performed prior to treatment. 
 
There was a low frequency (approximately 3%) of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or leukaemia in 
clinical trial patients with SCN treated with filgrastim. This observation has only been made in 
patients with congenital neutropenia. MDS and leukaemias are natural complications of the disease 
and are of uncertain relation to filgrastim therapy. A subset of approximately 12% of patients who had 
normal cytogenetic evaluations at baseline were subsequently found to have abnormalities, including 
monosomy 7, on routine repeat evaluation. If patients with SCN develop abnormal cytogenetics, the 
risks and benefits of continuing filgrastim should be carefully weighed; filgrastim should be 
discontinued if MDS or leukaemia occur. It is currently unclear whether long-term treatment of 
patients with SCN will predispose patients to cytogenetic abnormalities, MDS or leukaemic 

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transformation. It is recommended to perform morphologic and cytogenetic bone marrow 
examinations in patients at regular intervals (approximately every 12 months). 
 
Other special precautions 
Causes of transient neutropenia such as viral infections should be excluded. 
 
Splenic enlargement is a direct effect of treatment with filgrastim. Thirty-one percent (31%) of 
patients in studies were documented as having palpable splenomegaly. Increases in volume, measured 
radiographically, occurred early during filgrastim therapy and tended to plateau. Dose reductions were 
noted to slow or stop the progression of splenic enlargement and in 3% of patients a splenectomy was 
required. Spleen size should be evaluated regularly. Abdominal palpation should be sufficient to detect 
abnormal increases in splenic volume. 
 
Haematuria/proteinuria occurred in a small number of patients. Regular urinanalysis should be 
performed to monitor this event. 
 
The safety and efficacy in neonates and patients with autoimmune neutropenia have not been 
established. 
 
Special precautions in patients with HIV infection 
 
Blood cell counts 
ANC should be monitored closely, especially during the first few weeks of filgrastim therapy. Some 
patients may respond very rapidly and with a considerable increase in neutrophil count to the initial 
dose of filgrastim. It is recommended that the ANC is measured daily for the first 2 to 3 days of 
filgrastim administration. Thereafter, it is recommended that the ANC is measured at least twice 
weekly for the first two weeks and subsequently once per week or once every other week during 
maintenance therapy. During intermittent dosing with 30 MIU (300 μg)/day of filgrastim, there can be 
wide fluctuations in the patient's ANC over time. In order to determine a patient's trough or nadir 
ANC, it is recommended that blood samples are taken for ANC measurement immediately prior to any 
scheduled dosing with filgrastim. 
 
Risk associated with increased doses of myelosuppressive medicinal products 
Treatment with filgrastim alone does not preclude thrombocytopenia and anaemia due to 
myelosuppressive medicinal products. As a result of the potential to receive higher doses or a greater 
number of these medicinal products with filgrastim therapy, the patient may be at higher risk of 
developing thrombocytopenia and anaemia. Regular monitoring of blood counts is recommended (see 
above). 
 
Infections and malignancies causing myelosuppression 
Neutropenia may be due to bone marrow infiltrating opportunistic infections such as Mycobacterium 
avium complex or malignancies such as lymphoma. In patients with known bone marrow-infiltrating 
infections or malignancy, consider appropriate therapy for treatment of the underlying condition in 
addition to administration of filgrastim for treatment of neutropenia. The effects of filgrastim on 
neutropenia due to bone marrow-infiltrating infection or malignancy have not been well established.  
 
Special precautions in sickle cell disease 
 
Sickle cells crises, in some cases fatal, have been reported with the use of filgrastim in subjects with 
sickle cell disease. Physicians should exercise caution when considering the use of filgrastim in 
patients with sickle cell disease and only after careful evaluation of the potential risks and benefits. 
 
Excipients 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm contains sorbitol. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance 
should not use this medicinal product. 
 

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4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction 
 
The safety and efficacy of filgrastim given on the same day as myelosuppressive cytotoxic 
chemotherapy have not been definitively established. In view of the sensitivity of rapidly dividing 
myeloid cells to myelosuppressive cytotoxic chemotherapy, the use of filgrastim is not recommended 
in the period from 24 hours before to 24 hours after chemotherapy. Preliminary evidence from a small 
number of patients treated concomitantly with filgrastim and 5-Fluorouracil indicates that the severity 
of neutropenia may be exacerbated. 
 
Possible interactions with other haematopoietic growth factors and cytokines have not yet been 
investigated in clinical trials.  
 
Since lithium promotes the release of neutrophils, it is likely to potentiate the effect of filgrastim. 
Although this interaction has not been formally investigated, there is no evidence that such an 
interaction is harmful. 
 
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation 
 
There are no adequate data from the use of filgrastim in pregnant women. There are reports in the 
literature where the transplacental passage of filgrastim in pregnant women has been demonstrated. 
Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is 
unknown. Filgrastim should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. 
 
It is unknown whether filgrastim is excreted in human breast milk. The excretion of filgrastim in milk 
has not been studied in animals. A decision on whether to continue/discontinue breast-feeding or to 
continue/discontinue therapy with filgrastim should be made taking into account the benefit of breast-
feeding to the child and the benefit of filgrastim therapy to the woman. 
 
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines 
 
Filgrastim has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. If the patient is 
experiencing fatigue, caution is advised when driving a car or operating machinery. 
 
4.8 Undesirable effects 
 
During clinical studies 541 cancer patients and 188 healthy volunteers were exposed to Filgrastim 
ratiopharm. The safety profile of Filgrastim ratiopharm observed in these clinical studies was 
consistent with that reported with the reference product used in these studies. 
 
The following undesirable effects and their frequencies have been observed under treatment with 
filgrastim based on published information. 
 
The assessment of undesirable effects is based on the following frequency data: 
Very common: ≥1/10 
Common:  ≥1/100, <1/10 
Uncommon:  ≥1/1,000, <1/100 
Rare:   ≥1/10,000, <1/1,000 
Very rare:  <1/10,000 
Not known:  cannot be estimated from the available data 
 
Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. 
 
In cancer patients 
 
In clinical trials, the most frequent undesirable effects attributable to filgrastim at the recommended 
dose were mild or moderate musculoskeletal pain, occurring in 10%, and severe musculoskeletal pain 

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in 3% of patients. Musculoskeletal pain is usually controlled with standard analgesics. Less frequent 
undesirable effects include urinary abnormalities predominantly mild or moderate dysuria. 
 
In randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials, filgrastim did not increase the incidence of 
undesirable effects associated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. Undesirable effects reported with equal 
frequency in patients treated with filgrastim/chemotherapy and placebo/chemotherapy included nausea 
and vomiting, alopecia, diarrhoea, fatigue, anorexia, mucositis, headache, cough, skin rash, chest pain, 
generalised weakness, sore throat, constipation and unspecified pain. 
 
Reversible, dose-dependent and usually mild or moderate elevations of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 
alkaline phosphatase, serum uric acid and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) occurred with filgrastim 
in approximately 50%, 35%, 25%, and 10% of patients respectively, at recommended doses. 
 
Transient decreases in blood pressure, not requiring clinical treatment, have been reported 
occasionally. 
 
There have been reports of GvHD and fatalities in patients receiving G-CSF after allogeneic bone 
marrow transplantation (see section 5.1). 
 
Vascular disorders, including veno-occlusive disease and fluid volume disturbances, have been 
reported occasionally in patients undergoing high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous bone 
marrow transplantation. The causal association with filgrastim has not been established. 
 
Very rare events of cutaneous vasculitis have been reported in patients treated with filgrastim. The 
mechanism of vasculitis in patients receiving filgrastim is unknown. 
 
The occurrence of Sweet's syndrome (acute febrile dermatosis) has been reported occasionally. 
However, since a significant percentage of these patients were suffering from leukaemia, a condition 
known to be associated with Sweet's syndrome, a causal relationship with filgrastim has not been 
established. 
 
Exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis has been observed in individual cases. 
 
Pseudogout has been reported in patients with cancer treated with filgrastim. 
 
Rare pulmonary undesirable effects including interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary oedema and 
pulmonary infiltrates have been reported in some cases with an outcome of respiratory failure or adult 
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which may be fatal (see section 4.4). 
 
Allergic Reactions: Allergic-type reactions, including anaphylaxis, skin rash, urticaria, angioedema, 
dyspnoea and hypotension, occurring on initial or subsequent treatment, have been reported in patients 
receiving filgrastim. Overall, reports were more common after IV administration. In some cases, 
symptoms have recurred with rechallenge, suggesting a causal relationship. Filgrastim should be 
permanently discontinued in patients who experience a serious allergic reaction. 
 
Isolated cases of sickle cells crises have been reported in patients with sickle cell disease (see section 
4.4). 
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System organ class Frequency Undesirable effect 
Metabolism and nutrition 
disorders 

Very common Elevated alkaline phosphatase, 
elevated LDH, elevated uric acid

Nervous system disorders Common Headache 
Vascular disorders Rare Vascular disorder 

Common Cough, sore throat Respiratory, thoracic and 
mediastinal disorders Very rare Pulmonary infiltrates 

Very common Nausea/Vomiting Gastrointestinal disorders 
Common Constipation, anorexia, 

diarrhoea, mucositis 
Hepatobiliary disorders Very common Elevated GGT 

Common Alopecia, skin rash Skin and subcutaneous tissue 
disorders Very rare Sweet's syndrome, cutaneous 

vasculitis 
Very common Chest pain, musculoskeletal painMusculoskeletal and connective 

tissue disorders Very rare Rheumatoid arthritis 
exacerbation 

Renal and urinary disorders Very rare Urinary abnormalities 
Common Fatigue, generalised weakness 
Uncommon Unspecified pain 

General disorders and 
administration site conditions 

Very rare Allergic reaction 
 
In peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilisation in normal donors 
 
The most commonly reported undesirable effect was mild to moderate transient musculo-skeletal pain. 
Leukocytosis (WBC > 50 x 109/l) was observed in 41% of donors and transient thrombocytopenia 
(platelets < 100 x 109/l) following filgrastim and leukapheresis was observed in 35% of donors. 
 
Transient, minor increases in alkaline phosphatase, LDH, SGOT (serum glutamic oxaloacetic 
transaminase) and uric acid have been reported in normal donors receiving filgrastim; these were 
without clinical sequelae. 
 
Exacerbation of arthritic symptoms has been observed very rarely. 
 
Symptoms suggestive of severe allergic reactions have been reported very rarely. 
 
Headaches, believed to be caused by filgrastim, have been reported in PBPC donor studies. 
 
Common but generally asymptomatic cases of splenomegaly and very rare cases of splenic rupture 
have been reported in healthy donors and patients following administration of G-CSFs (see section 
4.4). 
 
In normal donors, pulmonary adverse events (haemoptysis, pulmonary haemorrhage, lung infiltration, 
dyspnoea and hypoxia) have been reported in postmarketing experience (see section 4.4). 
 

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System organ class Frequency Undesirable effect 
Very common Leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia Blood and lymphatic system 

disorders Uncommon Spleen disorder 
Common Elevated alkaline phosphatase, 

elevated LDH 
Metabolism and nutrition 
disorders 

Uncommon SGOT increased, 
hyperuricaemia 

Nervous system disorders Very common Headache 
Very common Musculoskeletal pain Musculoskeletal and connective 

tissue disorders Uncommon Rheumatoid arthritis 
exacerbation 

General disorders and 
administration site conditions 

Uncommon Severe allergic reaction 

 
In SCN patients 
 
Undesirable effects related to filgrastim therapy in SCN patients have been reported and for some their 
frequencies tend to decrease with time. 
 
The most frequent undesirable effects attributable to filgrastim were bone pain, and general 
musculoskeletal pain. 
 
Other undesirable effects seen include splenic enlargement, which may be progressive in a minority of 
cases and thrombocytopenia. Headache and diarrhoea have been reported shortly after starting 
filgrastim therapy, typically in less than 10% of patients. Anaemia and epistaxis have also been 
reported. 
 
Transient increases with no clinical symptoms were observed in serum uric acid, lactic dehydrogenase 
and alkaline phosphatase. Transient, moderate decreases in non-fasting blood glucose have also been 
seen. 
 
Undesirable effects possibly related to filgrastim therapy and typically occurring in < 2% of SCN 
patients were injection site reaction, headache, hepatomegaly, arthralgia, alopecia, osteoporosis and 
rash. 
 
During long term use, cutaneous vasculitis has been reported in 2% of SCN patients. There have been 
very few instances of proteinuria/haematuria. 
 

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System organ class Frequency Undesirable effect 
Very common Anaemia, splenomegaly 
Common Thrombocytopenia 

Blood and lymphatic system 
disorders 

Uncommon Spleen disorder 
Metabolism and nutrition 
disorders 

Very common Decreased glucose, elevated 
alkaline phosphatase, elevated 
LDH, hyperuricaemia 

Nervous system disorders Common Headache 
Respiratory, thoracic and 
mediastinal disorders 

Very common Epistaxis 

Gastrointestinal disorders Common Diarrhoea 
Hepatobiliary disorders Common Hepatomegaly 
Skin and subcutaneous tissue 
disorders 

Common Alopecia, cutaneous vasculitis, 
injection site pain, rash 

Very common Musculoskeletal pain Musculoskeletal and connective 
tissue disorders Common Osteoporosis 
Renal and urinary disorders Uncommon Haematuria, proteinuria 
 
In patients with HIV 
 
In clinical studies, the only undesirable effects that were consistently considered to be related to 
filgrastim administration were musculoskeletal pain, predominantly mild to moderate bone pain and 
myalgia. The incidence of these events was similar to that reported in cancer patients. 
 
Splenic enlargement was reported to be related to filgrastim therapy in < 3% of patients. In all cases 
this was mild or moderate on physical examination and the clinical course was benign; no patients had 
a diagnosis of hypersplenism and no patients underwent splenectomy. As splenic enlargement is a 
common finding in patients with HIV infection and is present to varying degrees in most patients with 
AIDS, the relationship to filgrastim treatment is unclear. 
 
System organ class Frequency Undesirable effect 
Blood and lymphatic system 
disorders 

Common Spleen disorder 

Musculoskeletal and connective 
tissue disorders 

Very common Musculoskeletal pain 

 
4.9 Overdose 
 
No case of overdose has been reported. 
 
Discontinuation of filgrastim therapy usually results in a 50% decrease in circulating neutrophils 
within 1 to 2 days, with a return to normal levels in 1 to 7 days. 
 
 
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES 
 
5.1  Pharmacodynamic properties 
 
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Colony stimulating factors, ATC code: L03AA02 
 
Human G-CSF is a glycoprotein which regulates the production and release of functional neutrophils 
from the bone marrow. Filgrastim ratiopharm containing r-metHuG-CSF (filgrastim) causes marked 
increases in peripheral blood neutrophil counts within 24 hours, with minor increases in monocytes. In 
some SCN patients, filgrastim can also induce a minor increase in the number of circulating 
eosinophils and basophils relative to baseline; some of these patients may present with eosinophilia or 

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basophilia prior to treatment. Elevations of neutrophil counts are dose-dependent at recommended 
doses. Neutrophils produced in response to filgrastim show normal or enhanced function as 
demonstrated by tests of chemotactic and phagocytic function. Following termination of filgrastim 
therapy, circulating neutrophil counts decrease by 50% within 1 to 2 days, and to normal levels within 
1 to 7 days. 
 
Use of filgrastim in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy leads to significant reductions in the 
incidence, severity and duration of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. Treatment with filgrastim 
significantly reduces the duration of febrile neutropenia, antibiotic use and hospitalisation after 
induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukaemia or myeloablative therapy followed by bone 
marrow transplantation. The incidence of fever and documented infections were not reduced in either 
setting. The duration of fever was not reduced in patients undergoing myeloablative therapy followed 
by bone marrow transplantation. 
 
Use of filgrastim, either alone or after chemotherapy, mobilises haematopoietic progenitor cells into 
peripheral blood. These autologous PBPCs may be harvested and infused after high-dose cytotoxic 
therapy, either in place of or in addition to bone marrow transplantation. Infusion of PBPCs 
accelerates haematopoietic recovery reducing the duration of risk for haemorrhagic complications and 
the need for platelet transfusions. 
 
Recipients of allogeneic PBPCs mobilised with filgrastim experienced significantly more rapid 
haematological recovery, leading to a significant decrease in time to unsupported platelet recovery, 
when compared with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. 
 
One retrospective European study evaluating the use of G-CSF after allogeneic bone marrow 
transplantation in patients with acute leukaemias suggested an increase in the risk of GvHD, treatment 
related mortality (TRM) and mortality when G-CSF was administered. In a separate retrospective 
international study in patients with acute and chronic myelogenous leukaemias, no effect on the risk of 
GvHD, TRM and mortality was seen. A meta-analysis of allogeneic transplant studies, including the 
results of nine prospective randomized trials, 8 retrospective studies and 1 case-controlled study, did 
not detect an effect on the risks of acute GvHD, chronic GvHD or early treatment-related mortality. 
 
Relative risk (95% CI) of GvHD and TRM following treatment with G-CSF after bone marrow 
transplantation 
Publication Period of 

study 
N Acute grade 

II-IV GvHD 
Chronic 
GvHD 

TRM 

Meta-analysis 
(2003) 

1986-2001a 1198 1.08 
(0.87, 1.33) 

1.02 
(0.82, 1.26) 

0.70 
(0.38, 1.31) 

European 
retrospective 
study (2004) 

1992-2002b 1789 1.33 
(1.08, 1.64) 

1.29 
(1.02, 1.61) 

1.73 
(1.30, 2.32) 

International 
retrospective 
study (2006) 

1995-2000b 2110 1.11 
(0.86, 1.42) 

1.10 
(0.86, 1.39) 

1.26 
(0.95, 1.67) 

aAnalysis includes studies involving bone marrow transplant during this period; some studies used 
GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage–colony stimulating factor) 
bAnalysis includes patients receiving bone marrow transplant during this period 
 
Prior to allogeneic PBPC transplantation, use of filgrastim for the mobilisation of PBPC in normal 
donors allows a collection of 4 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg recipient body weight in the majority of the 
donors after two leukaphereses. Normal donors are given a dose of a 10 μg/kg/day, administered 
subcutaneously for 4 to 5 consecutive days. 
 
Use of filgrastim in patients, children or adults, with SCN (severe congenital, cyclic, and idiopathic 
neutropenia) induces a sustained increase in absolute neutrophil counts in peripheral blood and a 
reduction of infection and related events. 
 

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Use of filgrastim in patients with HIV infection maintains normal neutrophil counts to allow scheduled 
dosing of antiviral and/or other myelosuppressive medicinal product. There is no evidence that 
patients with HIV infection treated with filgrastim show an increase in HIV replication. 
 
As with other haematopoietic growth factors, G-CSF has shown in vitro stimulating properties on 
human endothelial cells. 
 
The efficacy and safety of Filgrastim ratiopharm has been assessed in randomised, controlled phase III 
studies in breast cancer, lung cancer and Non-Hodgkin-Lymphoma. There were no relevant 
differences between Filgrastim ratiopharm and the reference product with regard to duration of severe 
neutropenia and incidence of febrile neutropenia. 
 
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties 
 
Randomised, single-blind, single dose, crossover studies in 196 healthy volunteers showed that the 
pharmacokinetic profile of Filgrastim ratiopharm was comparable to that of the reference product after 
subcutaneous and intravenous administration. 
 
Clearance of filgrastim has been shown to follow first-order pharmacokinetics after both subcutaneous 
and intravenous administration. The serum elimination half-life of filgrastim is approximately 
3.5 hours, with a clearance rate of approximately 0.6 ml/min/kg. Continuous infusion with filgrastim 
over a period of up to 28 days, in patients recovering from autologous bone-marrow transplantation, 
resulted in no evidence of drug accumulation and comparable elimination half-lives. There is a 
positive linear correlation between the dose and the serum concentration of filgrastim, whether 
administered intravenously or subcutaneously. Following subcutaneous administration of 
recommended doses, serum concentrations were maintained above 10 ng/ml for 8 to 16 hours. The 
volume of distribution in blood is approximately 150 ml/kg. 
 
In cancer patients, the pharmacokinetic profile of Filgrastim ratiopharm and the reference product was 
comparable after single and repeated subcutaneous administration. 
 
5.3 Preclinical safety data 
 
Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety 
pharmacology, genotoxicity and local tolerance. 
 
Preclinical data from conventional studies of repeated dose toxicity revealed the expected 
pharmacological effects including increases in leukocyte count, myeloid hyperplasia in bone marrow, 
extramedullary haematopoiesis and splenic enlargement. 
 
No effect was observed on the fertility of male and female rats or gestation in rats. There is no 
evidence from studies in rats and rabbits that filgrastim is teratogenic. An increased incidence of 
embryo-loss has been observed in rabbits, but no malformation has been seen. 
 
 
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS 
 
6.1 List of excipients 
 
Acetic acid, glacial 
Sodium hydroxide 
Sorbitol (E420) 
Polysorbate 80 
Water for injections 
 
6.2 Incompatibilities 

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Filgrastim ratiopharm should not be diluted with sodium chloride solution. 
 
This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in 
section 6.6. 
 
Diluted filgrastim may be adsorbed to glass and plastic materials except diluted, as mentioned in 
section 6.6. 
 
6.3 Shelf life 
 
2 years. 
 
After dilution: Chemical and physical in-use stability of the diluted solution for infusion has been 
demonstrated for 24 hours at 2 °C to 8 °C. From a microbiological point of view, the product should 
be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the 
responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 °C to 8 °C, unless 
dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions. 
 
6.4 Special precautions for storage 
 
Store in a refrigerator (2 °C – 8 °C). 
 
For storage conditions of the diluted medicinal product, see section 6.3. 
 
6.5 Nature and contents of container 
 
Type I glass pre-filled syringe with a permanently attached stainless steel needle. 
 
Packs containing 1, 5 or 10 pre-filled syringes with 0.5 ml solution for injection or infusion or 
multipacks containing 10 (2 packs of 5) pre-filled syringes with 0.5 ml solution for injection or 
infusion. 
 
Not all pack sizes may be marketed. 
 
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling 
 
If required, Filgrastim ratiopharm may be diluted in glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for infusion . 
 
Dilution to a final concentration less than 0.2 MIU (2 μg) per ml is not recommended at any time. 
 
The solution should be visually inspected prior to use. Only clear solutions without particles should be 
used. 
 
For patients treated with filgrastim diluted to concentrations below 1.5 MIU (15 μg) per ml, human 
serum albumin (HSA) should be added to a final concentration of 2 mg/ml. 
 
Example: In a final injection volume of 20 ml, total doses of filgrastim less than 30 MIU (300 μg) 
should be given with 0.2 ml of 200 mg/ml (20%) human albumin solution added. 
 
When diluted in glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for infusion, Filgrastim ratiopharm is compatible 
with glass and a variety of plastics including PVC, polyolefin (a co-polymer of polypropylene and 
polyethylene) and polypropylene. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm does not contain any preservative. In view of the possible risk of microbial 
contamination, Filgrastim ratiopharm syringes are for single use only. 
 

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Accidental exposure to freezing temperatures does not adversely affect the stability of Filgrastim 
ratiopharm. 
 
Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements. 
 
 
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
ratiopharm GmbH 
Graf-Arco-Straße 3 
D-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
info@ratiopharm.de 
 
 
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)  
 
EU/1/08/449/001 
EU/1/08/449/002 
EU/1/08/449/003 
EU/1/08/449/004 
 
 
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION 
 
Date of first authorisation: 15 September 2008. 
 
 
10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT 
 
 
 
 
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu/. 
 
 

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1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 48 MIU/0.8 ml solution for injection or infusion 
 
 
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION 
 
Each ml of solution for injection or infusion contains 60 million international units [MIU] (600 µg) of 
filgrastim. 
 
Each pre-filled syringe contains 48 MIU (480 µg) of filgrastim in 0.8 ml solution for injection or 
infusion. 
 
Filgrastim (recombinant methionyl human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) is produced in 
Escherichia coli K802 by recombinant DNA technology. 
 
Excipient: Each ml of solution contains 50 mg of sorbitol. 
For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1. 
 
 
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM 
 
Solution for injection or infusion 
 
Clear, colourless solution. 
 
 
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS 
 
4.1 Therapeutic indications 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm is indicated for the reduction in the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of 
febrile neutropenia in patients treated with established cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy (with 
the exception of chronic myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes) and for the reduction in 
the duration of neutropenia in patients undergoing myeloablative therapy followed by bone marrow 
transplantation considered to be at increased risk of prolonged severe neutropenia. The safety and 
efficacy of filgrastim are similar in adults and children receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm is indicated for the mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC). 
 
In patients, children or adults, with severe congenital, cyclic, or idiopathic neutropenia with an 
absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of ≤ 0.5 x 109/l, and a history of severe or recurrent infections, long 
term administration of Filgrastim ratiopharm is indicated to increase neutrophil counts and to reduce 
the incidence and duration of infection-related events. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm is indicated for the treatment of persistent neutropenia (ANC less than or equal 
to 1.0 x 109/l) in patients with advanced HIV infection, in order to reduce the risk of bacterial 
infections when other options to manage neutropenia are inappropriate. 
 
4.2 Posology and method of administration 
 
Special requirements 
 
Filgrastim therapy should only be given in collaboration with an oncology centre which has 
experience in granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment and haematology and has the 
necessary diagnostic facilities. The mobilisation and apheresis procedures should be performed in 

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collaboration with an oncology-haematology centre with acceptable experience in this field and where 
the monitoring of haematopoietic progenitor cells can be correctly performed. 
 
Established cytotoxic chemotherapy 
 
The recommended dose of filgrastim is 0.5 MIU (5 μg)/kg/day. The first dose of filgrastim should not 
be administered less than 24 hours following cytotoxic chemotherapy. Filgrastim may be given as a 
daily subcutaneous injection or as a daily intravenous infusion diluted in glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) 
solution for infusion given over 30 minutes (see section 6.6 for instructions on dilution). 
 
The subcutaneous route is preferred in most cases. There is some evidence from a study of single dose 
administration that intravenous dosing may shorten the duration of effect. The clinical relevance of 
this finding to multiple dose administration is not clear. The choice of route should depend on the 
individual clinical circumstance. In randomised clinical trials, a subcutaneous dose of 23 MIU 
(230 μg)/m2/day (4.0 to 8.4 μg/kg/day) was used. 
 
Daily dosing with filgrastim should continue until the expected neutrophil nadir is passed and the 
neutrophil count has recovered to the normal range. Following established chemotherapy for solid 
tumours, lymphomas and lymphoid leukaemias, it is expected that the duration of treatment required 
to fulfil these criteria will be up to 14 days. Following induction and consolidation treatment for acute 
myeloid leukaemia the duration of treatment may be substantially longer (up to 38 days) depending on 
the type, dose and schedule of cytotoxic chemotherapy used. 
 
In patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, a transient increase in neutrophil counts is typically seen 
1 to 2 days after initiation of filgrastim therapy. However, for a sustained therapeutic response, 
filgrastim therapy should not be discontinued before the expected nadir has passed and the neutrophil 
count has recovered to the normal range. Premature discontinuation of filgrastim therapy prior to the 
time of the expected neutrophil nadir is not recommended. 
 
In patients treated with myeloablative therapy followed by bone marrow transplantation 
 
The recommended starting dose of filgrastim is 1.0 MIU (10 μg)/kg/day given as a 30 minute or 
24 hour intravenous infusion or 1.0 MIU (10 μg)/kg/day given by continuous 24 hour subcutaneous 
infusion. Filgrastim should be diluted in 20 ml of glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for infusion (see 
section 6.6 for instructions on dilution). 
 
The first dose of filgrastim should not be administered less than 24 hours following cytotoxic 
chemotherapy and within 24 hours of bone marrow infusion. 
 
Once the neutrophil nadir has been passed the daily dose of filgrastim should be titrated against the 
neutrophil response as follows: 
 
Neutrophil count Filgrastim dose adjustment 
> 1.0 x 109/l for 3 consecutive days Reduce to 0.5 MIU (5 µg)/kg/day 
Then, if ANC remains > 1.0 x 109/l for 3 more 
consecutive days 

Discontinue filgrastim 

If the ANC decreases to < 1.0 x 109/l during the treatment period the dose of filgrastim should be re-
escalated according to the above steps 
 
For the mobilisation of PBPC in patients undergoing myelosuppressive or myeloablative therapy 
followed by autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation 
 
The recommended dose of filgrastim for PBPC mobilisation when used alone is 1.0 MIU 
(10 μg)/kg/day as a 24 hour subcutaneous continuous infusion or a single daily subcutaneous injection 
for 5 to 7 consecutive days. For infusions, filgrastim should be diluted in 20 ml of glucose 50 mg/ml 
(5%) solution for infusion (see section 6.6 for instructions on dilution). Timing of leukapheresis: 1 or 

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2 leukaphereses on days 5 and 6 are often sufficient. In other circumstances, additional leukaphereses 
may be necessary. Filgrastim dosing should be maintained until the last leukapheresis. 
 
The recommended dose of filgrastim for PBPC mobilisation after myelosuppressive chemotherapy is 
0.5 MIU (5 μg)/kg/day given daily by subcutaneous injection from the first day after completion of 
chemotherapy until the expected neutrophil nadir is passed and the neutrophil count has recovered to 
the normal range. Leukapheresis should be performed during the period when the ANC rises from < 
0.5 x 109/l to > 5.0 x 109/l. For patients who have not had extensive chemotherapy, one leukapheresis 
is often sufficient. In other circumstances, additional leukaphereses are recommended. 
 
For the mobilisation of PBPC in normal donors prior to allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell 
transplantation 
 
For PBPC mobilisation in normal donors, filgrastim should be administered at 1.0 MIU (10 μg)/kg/day 
subcutaneously for 4 to 5 consecutive days. Leukapheresis should be started at day 5 and continued 
until day 6 if needed in order to collect 4 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg recipient bodyweight. 
 
In patients with severe chronic neutropenia (SCN) 
 
Congenital neutropenia 
The recommended starting dose is 1.2 MIU (12 μg)/kg/day subcutaneously as a single dose or in 
divided doses. 
 
Idiopathic or cyclic neutropenia 
The recommended starting dose is 0.5 MIU (5 μg)/kg/day subcutaneously as a single dose or in 
divided doses. 
 
Dose adjustment 
Filgrastim should be administered daily by subcutaneous injection until the neutrophil count has 
reached and can be maintained at more than 1.5 x 109/l. When the response has been obtained, the 
minimal effective dose to maintain this level should be established. Long-term daily administration is 
required to maintain an adequate neutrophil count. After one to two weeks of therapy, the initial dose 
may be doubled or halved depending upon the patient's response. Subsequently the dose may be 
individually adjusted every 1 to 2 weeks to maintain the average neutrophil count between 1.5 x 109/l 
and 10 x 109/l. A faster schedule of dose escalation may be considered in patients presenting with 
severe infections. In clinical trials, 97% of patients who responded had a complete response at doses of 
2.4 MIU (24 μg)/kg/day. The long-term safety of filgrastim administration above 2.4 MIU 
(24 μg)/kg/day in patients with SCN has not been established. 
 
In patients with HIV infection 
 
For reversal of neutropenia 
The recommended starting dose of filgrastim is 0.1 MIU (1 μg)/kg/day given daily by subcutaneous 
injection with titration up to a maximum of 0.4 MIU (4 μg)/kg/day until a normal neutrophil count is 
reached and can be maintained (ANC > 2.0 x109/l). In clinical studies, > 90% of patients responded at 
these doses, achieving reversal of neutropenia in a median of 2 days. 
 
In a small number of patients (< 10%), doses up to 1.0 MIU (10 μg)/kg/day were required to achieve 
reversal of neutropenia. 
 
For maintaining normal neutrophil counts 
When reversal of neutropenia has been achieved, the minimal effective dose to maintain a normal 
neutrophil count should be established. Initial dose adjustment to alternate day dosing with 30 MIU 
(300 μg)/day by subcutaneous injection is recommended. Further dose adjustment may be necessary, 
as determined by the patient's ANC, to maintain the neutrophil count at > 2.0 x 109/l. In clinical 
studies, dosing with 30 MIU (300 μg)/day on 1 to 7 days per week was required to maintain the ANC 

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> 2.0 x 109/l, with the median dose frequency being 3 days per week. Long-term administration may 
be required to maintain the ANC > 2.0 x 109/l. 
 
Special populations 
 
Elderly patients 
Clinical trials with filgrastim have included a small number of elderly patients but special studies have 
not been performed in this group and therefore specific dosage recommendations cannot be made. 
 
Patients with renal or hepatic impairment 
Studies of filgrastim in patients with severe impairment of renal or hepatic function demonstrate that it 
exhibits a similar pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile to that seen in normal individuals. 
Dose adjustment is not required in these circumstances. 
 
Paediatric use in the SCN and cancer settings 
Sixty-five percent of the patients studied in the SCN trial programme were under 18 years of age. The 
efficacy of treatment was clear for this age group, which included most patients with congenital 
neutropenia. There were no differences in the safety profiles for paediatric patients treated for severe 
chronic neutropenia. 
 
Data from clinical studies in paediatric patients indicate that the safety and efficacy of filgrastim are 
similar in both adults and children receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. 
 
The dosage recommendations in paediatric patients are the same as those in adults receiving 
myelosuppressive cytotoxic chemotherapy. 
 
4.3 Contraindications 
 
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. 
 
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use 
 
Special warnings 
 
Filgrastim should not be used to increase the dose of cytotoxic chemotherapy beyond established 
dosage regimens (see below). 
 
Filgrastim should not be administered to patients with severe congenital neutropenia (Kostman's 
syndrome) with abnormal cytogenetics (see below). 
 
Special precautions in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia 
 
Malignant cell growth 
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor can promote growth of myeloid cells in vitro and similar effects 
may also be seen on some non-myeloid cells in vitro. 
 
The safety and efficacy of filgrastim administration in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or 
chronic myelogenous leukaemia have not been established. Therefore, filgrastim is not indicated for 
use in these conditions. Particular care should be taken to distinguish the diagnosis of blast 
transformation of chronic myeloid leukaemia from acute myeloid leukaemia. 
 
In view of limited safety and efficacy data in patients with secondary AML, filgrastim should be 
administered with caution. 
 
The safety and efficacy of filgrastim administration in de novo AML patients aged < 55 years with 
good cytogenetics [t(8;21), t(15;17), and inv(16)] have not been established. 
 

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Other special precautions 
Monitoring of bone density may be indicated in patients with underlying osteoporotic bone diseases 
who undergo continuous therapy with filgrastim for more than 6 months. 
 
Rare pulmonary undesirable effects, in particular interstitial pneumonia, have been reported after G-
CSF administration. Patients with a recent history of pulmonary infiltrates or pneumonia may be at 
higher risk. The onset of pulmonary signs such as cough, fever and dyspnoea in association with 
radiological signs of pulmonary infiltrates and deterioration in pulmonary function may be preliminary 
signs of Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Filgrastim should be discontinued and 
appropriate treatment given in these cases. 
 
Special precautions in cancer patients 
 
Leukocytosis 
White blood cell counts of 100 x 109/l or greater have been observed in less than 5% of patients 
receiving filgrastim at doses above 0.3 MIU/kg/day (3 μg/kg/day). No undesirable effects directly 
attributable to this degree of leukocytosis have been reported. However, in view of the potential risks 
associated with severe leukocytosis, a white blood cell count should be performed at regular intervals 
during filgrastim therapy. If leukocyte counts exceed 50 x 109/l after the expected nadir, filgrastim 
should be discontinued immediately. However, during the period of administration of filgrastim for 
PBPC mobilisation, filgrastim should be discontinued or its dosage should be reduced if the leukocyte 
counts rise to > 70 x 109/l. 
 
Risks associated with increased doses of chemotherapy 
Special caution should be used when treating patients with high dose chemotherapy because improved 
tumour outcome has not been demonstrated and intensified doses of chemotherapeutic agents may lead 
to increased toxicities including cardiac, pulmonary, neurologic and dermatologic effects (please refer 
to the Summary of Product Characteristics of the specific chemotherapy agents used). 
 
Treatment with filgrastim alone does not preclude thrombocytopenia and anaemia due to 
myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Because of the potential of receiving higher doses of chemotherapy 
(e.g. full doses on the prescribed schedule) the patient may be at greater risk of thrombocytopenia and 
anaemia. Regular monitoring of platelet count and haematocrit is recommended. Special care should 
be taken when administering single or combination chemotherapeutic agents which are known to 
cause severe thrombocytopenia. 
 
The use of filgrastim-mobilised PBPCs has been shown to reduce the depth and duration of 
thrombocytopenia following myelosuppressive or myeloablative chemotherapy. 
 
Other special precautions 
The effects of filgrastim in patients with substantially reduced myeloid progenitors have not been 
studied. Filgrastim acts primarily on neutrophil precursors to exert its effect in elevating neutrophil 
counts. Therefore, in patients with reduced precursors, neutrophil response may be diminished (such 
as those treated with extensive radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or those with bone marrow infiltration 
by tumour). 
 
There have been reports of graft versus host disease (GvHD) and fatalities in patients receiving G-CSF 
after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (see section 5.1). 
 
Increased haematopoietic activity of the bone marrow in response to growth factor therapy has been 
associated with transient positive bone-imaging findings. This should be considered when interpreting 
bone-imaging results. 
 
Special precautions in patients undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilisation 
 
Mobilisation 

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There are no prospectively randomised comparisons of the two recommended mobilisation methods 
(filgrastim alone or in combination with myelosuppressive chemotherapy) within the same patient 
population. The degree of variation between individual patients and between laboratory assays of 
CD34+ cells mean that direct comparison between different studies is difficult. It is therefore difficult 
to recommend an optimum method. The choice of mobilisation method should be considered in 
relation to the overall objectives of treatment for an individual patient. 
 
Prior exposure to cytotoxic agents 
Patients who have undergone very extensive prior myelosuppressive therapy may not show sufficient 
mobilisation of PBPC to achieve the recommended minimum yield (2.0 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg) or 
acceleration of platelet recovery to the same degree. 
 
Some cytotoxic agents exhibit particular toxicities to the haematopoietic progenitor pool and may 
adversely affect progenitor mobilisation. Agents such as melphalan, carmustine (BCNU) and 
carboplatin, when administered over prolonged periods prior to attempts at progenitor mobilisation, 
may reduce progenitor yield. However, the administration of melphalan, carboplatin or BCNU 
together with filgrastim has been shown to be effective for progenitor mobilisation. When a peripheral 
blood progenitor cell transplantation is envisaged it is advisable to plan the stem cell mobilisation 
procedure early in the treatment course of the patient. Particular attention should be paid to the number 
of progenitors mobilised in such patients before the administration of high-dose chemotherapy. If 
yields are inadequate, as measured by the criteria above, alternative forms of treatment not requiring 
progenitor support should be considered. 
 
Assessment of progenitor cell yields 
In assessing the number of progenitor cells harvested in patients treated with filgrastim, particular 
attention should be paid to the method of quantitation. The results of flow cytometric analysis of 
CD34+ cell numbers vary depending on the precise methodology used and therefore, recommendations 
of numbers based on studies in other laboratories need to be interpreted with caution. 
 
Statistical analysis of the relationship between the number of CD34+ cells re-infused and the rate of 
platelet recovery after high-dose chemotherapy indicates a complex but continuous relationship.  
 
The recommendation of a minimum yield of 2.0 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg is based on published 
experience resulting in adequate haematologic reconstitution. Yields in excess of this minimum yield 
appear to correlate with more rapid recovery, those below with slower recovery.  
 
Special precautions in normal donors undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilisation 
 
Mobilisation of PBPC does not provide a direct clinical benefit to normal donors and should only be 
considered for the purposes of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. 
 
PBPC mobilisation should be considered only in donors who meet normal clinical and laboratory 
eligibility criteria for stem cell donation. Particular attention should be paid to haematological values 
and infectious diseases. 
 
The safety and efficacy of filgrastim have not been assessed in normal donors < 16 years or > 60 
years. 
 
Transient thrombocytopenia (platelets < 100 x 109/l) following filgrastim administration and 
leukapheresis was observed in 35% of subjects studied. Among these, two cases of platelets < 50 x 
109/l were reported and attributed to the leukapheresis procedure. 
 
If more than one leukapheresis is required, particular attention should be paid to donors with platelets 
< 100 x 109/l prior to leukapheresis; in general apheresis should not be performed if platelets < 75 x 
109/l. 
 

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Leukapheresis should not be performed in donors who are anticoagulated or who have known defects 
in haemostasis. 
 
Filgrastim administration should be discontinued or its dosage should be reduced if the leukocyte 
counts rise to > 70 x109/l. 
 
Donors who receive G-CSFs for PBPC mobilisation should be monitored until haematological indices 
return to normal. 
 
Transient cytogenic modifications have been observed in normal donors following G-CSF use. The 
significance of these changes in terms of the development of haematological malignancy is unknown. 
Long-term safety follow-up of donors is ongoing. A risk of promotion of a malignant myeloid clone 
can not be excluded. It is recommended that the apheresis centre perform a systematic record and 
tracking of the stem cell donors for at least 10 years to ensure monitoring of long-term safety. 
 
Common but generally asymptomatic cases of splenomegaly and very rare cases of splenic rupture 
have been reported in healthy donors and patients following administration of G-CSFs. Some cases of 
splenic rupture were fatal. Therefore, spleen size should be carefully monitored (e.g. clinical 
examination, ultrasound). A diagnosis of splenic rupture should be considered in donors and/or 
patients reporting left upper abdominal pain or shoulder tip pain. 
 
In normal donors, pulmonary adverse events (haemoptysis, pulmonary haemorrhage, lung infiltrates, 
dyspnoea and hypoxia) have been reported very rarely in postmarketing experience. In case of 
suspected or confirmed pulmonary adverse events, discontinuation of treatment with filgrastim should 
be considered and appropriate medical care given. 
 
Special precautions in recipients of allogeneic PBPC mobilised with filgrastim 
 
Current data indicate that immunological interactions between the allogeneic PBPC graft and the 
recipient may be associated with an increased risk of acute and chronic GvHD when compared with 
bone marrow transplantation. 
 
Special precautions in SCN patients 
 
Blood cell counts 
Platelet counts should be monitored closely, especially during the first few weeks of filgrastim 
therapy. Consideration should be given to intermittent cessation or decreasing the dose of filgrastim in 
patients who develop thrombocytopenia, i.e. platelets consistently < 100,000/mm3. 
 
Other blood cell changes occur, including anaemia and transient increases in myeloid progenitors, 
which require close monitoring of cell counts. 
 
Transformation to leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome 
Special care should be taken in the diagnosis of severe chronic neutropenias to distinguish them from 
other haematopoietic disorders such as aplastic anaemia, myelodysplasia and myeloid leukaemia. 
Complete blood cell counts with differential and platelet counts and an evaluation of bone marrow 
morphology and karyotype should be performed prior to treatment. 
 
There was a low frequency (approximately 3%) of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or leukaemia in 
clinical trial patients with SCN treated with filgrastim. This observation has only been made in 
patients with congenital neutropenia. MDS and leukaemias are natural complications of the disease 
and are of uncertain relation to filgrastim therapy. A subset of approximately 12% of patients who had 
normal cytogenetic evaluations at baseline were subsequently found to have abnormalities, including 
monosomy 7, on routine repeat evaluation. If patients with SCN develop abnormal cytogenetics, the 
risks and benefits of continuing filgrastim should be carefully weighed; filgrastim should be 
discontinued if MDS or leukaemia occur. It is currently unclear whether long-term treatment of 
patients with SCN will predispose patients to cytogenetic abnormalities, MDS or leukaemic 

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transformation. It is recommended to perform morphologic and cytogenetic bone marrow 
examinations in patients at regular intervals (approximately every 12 months). 
 
Other special precautions 
Causes of transient neutropenia such as viral infections should be excluded. 
 
Splenic enlargement is a direct effect of treatment with filgrastim. Thirty-one percent (31%) of 
patients in studies were documented as having palpable splenomegaly. Increases in volume, measured 
radiographically, occurred early during filgrastim therapy and tended to plateau. Dose reductions were 
noted to slow or stop the progression of splenic enlargement and in 3% of patients a splenectomy was 
required. Spleen size should be evaluated regularly. Abdominal palpation should be sufficient to detect 
abnormal increases in splenic volume. 
 
Haematuria/proteinuria occurred in a small number of patients. Regular urinanalysis should be 
performed to monitor this event. 
 
The safety and efficacy in neonates and patients with autoimmune neutropenia have not been 
established. 
 
Special precautions in patients with HIV infection 
 
Blood cell counts 
ANC should be monitored closely, especially during the first few weeks of filgrastim therapy. Some 
patients may respond very rapidly and with a considerable increase in neutrophil count to the initial 
dose of filgrastim. It is recommended that the ANC is measured daily for the first 2 to 3 days of 
filgrastim administration. Thereafter, it is recommended that the ANC is measured at least twice 
weekly for the first two weeks and subsequently once per week or once every other week during 
maintenance therapy. During intermittent dosing with 30 MIU (300 μg)/day of filgrastim, there can be 
wide fluctuations in the patient's ANC over time. In order to determine a patient's trough or nadir 
ANC, it is recommended that blood samples are taken for ANC measurement immediately prior to any 
scheduled dosing with filgrastim. 
 
Risk associated with increased doses of myelosuppressive medicinal products 
Treatment with filgrastim alone does not preclude thrombocytopenia and anaemia due to 
myelosuppressive medicinal products. As a result of the potential to receive higher doses or a greater 
number of these medicinal products with filgrastim therapy, the patient may be at higher risk of 
developing thrombocytopenia and anaemia. Regular monitoring of blood counts is recommended (see 
above). 
 
Infections and malignancies causing myelosuppression 
Neutropenia may be due to bone marrow infiltrating opportunistic infections such as Mycobacterium 
avium complex or malignancies such as lymphoma. In patients with known bone marrow-infiltrating 
infections or malignancy, consider appropriate therapy for treatment of the underlying condition in 
addition to administration of filgrastim for treatment of neutropenia. The effects of filgrastim on 
neutropenia due to bone marrow-infiltrating infection or malignancy have not been well established.  
 
Special precautions in sickle cell disease 
 
Sickle cells crises, in some cases fatal, have been reported with the use of filgrastim in subjects with 
sickle cell disease. Physicians should exercise caution when considering the use of filgrastim in 
patients with sickle cell disease and only after careful evaluation of the potential risks and benefits. 
 
Excipients 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm contains sorbitol. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance 
should not use this medicinal product. 
 

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4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction 
 
The safety and efficacy of filgrastim given on the same day as myelosuppressive cytotoxic 
chemotherapy have not been definitively established. In view of the sensitivity of rapidly dividing 
myeloid cells to myelosuppressive cytotoxic chemotherapy, the use of filgrastim is not recommended 
in the period from 24 hours before to 24 hours after chemotherapy. Preliminary evidence from a small 
number of patients treated concomitantly with filgrastim and 5-Fluorouracil indicates that the severity 
of neutropenia may be exacerbated. 
 
Possible interactions with other haematopoietic growth factors and cytokines have not yet been 
investigated in clinical trials.  
 
Since lithium promotes the release of neutrophils, it is likely to potentiate the effect of filgrastim. 
Although this interaction has not been formally investigated, there is no evidence that such an 
interaction is harmful. 
 
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation 
 
There are no adequate data from the use of filgrastim in pregnant women. There are reports in the 
literature where the transplacental passage of filgrastim in pregnant women has been demonstrated. 
Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is 
unknown. Filgrastim should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. 
 
It is unknown whether filgrastim is excreted in human breast milk. The excretion of filgrastim in milk 
has not been studied in animals. A decision on whether to continue/discontinue breast-feeding or to 
continue/discontinue therapy with filgrastim should be made taking into account the benefit of breast-
feeding to the child and the benefit of filgrastim therapy to the woman. 
 
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines 
 
Filgrastim has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. If the patient is 
experiencing fatigue, caution is advised when driving a car or operating machinery. 
 
4.8 Undesirable effects 
 
During clinical studies 541 cancer patients and 188 healthy volunteers were exposed to Filgrastim 
ratiopharm. The safety profile of Filgrastim ratiopharm observed in these clinical studies was 
consistent with that reported with the reference product used in these studies. 
 
The following undesirable effects and their frequencies have been observed under treatment with 
filgrastim based on published information. 
 
The assessment of undesirable effects is based on the following frequency data: 
Very common: ≥1/10 
Common:  ≥1/100, <1/10 
Uncommon:  ≥1/1,000, <1/100 
Rare:   ≥1/10,000, <1/1,000 
Very rare:  <1/10,000 
Not known:  cannot be estimated from the available data 
 
Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. 
 

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In cancer patients 
 
In clinical trials, the most frequent undesirable effects attributable to filgrastim at the recommended 
dose were mild or moderate musculoskeletal pain, occurring in 10%, and severe musculoskeletal pain 
in 3% of patients. Musculoskeletal pain is usually controlled with standard analgesics. Less frequent 
undesirable effects include urinary abnormalities predominantly mild or moderate dysuria. 
 
In randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials, filgrastim did not increase the incidence of 
undesirable effects associated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. Undesirable effects reported with equal 
frequency in patients treated with filgrastim/chemotherapy and placebo/chemotherapy included nausea 
and vomiting, alopecia, diarrhoea, fatigue, anorexia, mucositis, headache, cough, skin rash, chest pain, 
generalised weakness, sore throat, constipation and unspecified pain. 
 
Reversible, dose-dependent and usually mild or moderate elevations of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 
alkaline phosphatase, serum uric acid and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) occurred with filgrastim 
in approximately 50%, 35%, 25%, and 10% of patients respectively, at recommended doses. 
 
Transient decreases in blood pressure, not requiring clinical treatment, have been reported 
occasionally. 
 
There have been reports of GvHD and fatalities in patients receiving G-CSF after allogeneic bone 
marrow transplantation (see section 5.1). 
 
Vascular disorders, including veno-occlusive disease and fluid volume disturbances, have been 
reported occasionally in patients undergoing high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous bone 
marrow transplantation. The causal association with filgrastim has not been established. 
 
Very rare events of cutaneous vasculitis have been reported in patients treated with filgrastim. The 
mechanism of vasculitis in patients receiving filgrastim is unknown. 
 
The occurrence of Sweet's syndrome (acute febrile dermatosis) has been reported occasionally. 
However, since a significant percentage of these patients were suffering from leukaemia, a condition 
known to be associated with Sweet's syndrome, a causal relationship with filgrastim has not been 
established. 
 
Exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis has been observed in individual cases. 
 
Pseudogout has been reported in patients with cancer treated with filgrastim. 
 
Rare pulmonary undesirable effects including interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary oedema and 
pulmonary infiltrates have been reported in some cases with an outcome of respiratory failure or adult 
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which may be fatal (see section 4.4). 
 
Allergic Reactions: Allergic-type reactions, including anaphylaxis, skin rash, urticaria, angioedema, 
dyspnoea and hypotension, occurring on initial or subsequent treatment, have been reported in patients 
receiving filgrastim. Overall, reports were more common after IV administration. In some cases, 
symptoms have recurred with rechallenge, suggesting a causal relationship. Filgrastim should be 
permanently discontinued in patients who experience a serious allergic reaction. 
 
Isolated cases of sickle cells crises have been reported in patients with sickle cell disease (see section 
4.4). 
 

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System organ class Frequency Undesirable effect 
Metabolism and nutrition 
disorders 

Very common Elevated alkaline phosphatase, 
elevated LDH, elevated uric acid

Nervous system disorders Common Headache 
Vascular disorders Rare Vascular disorder 

Common Cough, sore throat Respiratory, thoracic and 
mediastinal disorders Very rare Pulmonary infiltrates 

Very common Nausea/Vomiting Gastrointestinal disorders 
Common Constipation, anorexia, 

diarrhoea, mucositis 
Hepatobiliary disorders Very common Elevated GGT 

Common Alopecia, skin rash Skin and subcutaneous tissue 
disorders Very rare Sweet's syndrome, cutaneous 

vasculitis 
Very common Chest pain, musculoskeletal painMusculoskeletal and connective 

tissue disorders Very rare Rheumatoid arthritis 
exacerbation 

Renal and urinary disorders Very rare Urinary abnormalities 
Common Fatigue, generalised weakness 
Uncommon Unspecified pain 

General disorders and 
administration site conditions 

Very rare Allergic reaction 
 
In peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilisation in normal donors 
 
The most commonly reported undesirable effect was mild to moderate transient musculo-skeletal pain. 
Leukocytosis (WBC > 50 x 109/l) was observed in 41% of donors and transient thrombocytopenia 
(platelets < 100 x 109/l) following filgrastim and leukapheresis was observed in 35% of donors. 
 
Transient, minor increases in alkaline phosphatase, LDH, SGOT (serum glutamic oxaloacetic 
transaminase) and uric acid have been reported in normal donors receiving filgrastim; these were 
without clinical sequelae. 
 
Exacerbation of arthritic symptoms has been observed very rarely. 
 
Symptoms suggestive of severe allergic reactions have been reported very rarely. 
 
Headaches, believed to be caused by filgrastim, have been reported in PBPC donor studies. 
 
Common but generally asymptomatic cases of splenomegaly and very rare cases of splenic rupture 
have been reported in healthy donors and patients following administration of G-CSFs (see section 
4.4). 
 
In normal donors, pulmonary adverse events (haemoptysis, pulmonary haemorrhage, lung infiltration, 
dyspnoea and hypoxia) have been reported in postmarketing experience (see section 4.4). 
 

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System organ class Frequency Undesirable effect 
Very common Leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia Blood and lymphatic system 

disorders Uncommon Spleen disorder 
Common Elevated alkaline phosphatase, 

elevated LDH 
Metabolism and nutrition 
disorders 

Uncommon SGOT increased, 
hyperuricaemia 

Nervous system disorders Very common Headache 
Very common Musculoskeletal pain Musculoskeletal and connective 

tissue disorders Uncommon Rheumatoid arthritis 
exacerbation 

General disorders and 
administration site conditions 

Uncommon Severe allergic reaction 

 
In SCN patients 
 
Undesirable effects related to filgrastim therapy in SCN patients have been reported and for some their 
frequencies tend to decrease with time. 
 
The most frequent undesirable effects attributable to filgrastim were bone pain, and general 
musculoskeletal pain. 
 
Other undesirable effects seen include splenic enlargement, which may be progressive in a minority of 
cases and thrombocytopenia. Headache and diarrhoea have been reported shortly after starting 
filgrastim therapy, typically in less than 10% of patients. Anaemia and epistaxis have also been 
reported. 
 
Transient increases with no clinical symptoms were observed in serum uric acid, lactic dehydrogenase 
and alkaline phosphatase. Transient, moderate decreases in non-fasting blood glucose have also been 
seen. 
 
Undesirable effects possibly related to filgrastim therapy and typically occurring in < 2% of SCN 
patients were injection site reaction, headache, hepatomegaly, arthralgia, alopecia, osteoporosis and 
rash. 
 
During long term use, cutaneous vasculitis has been reported in 2% of SCN patients. There have been 
very few instances of proteinuria/haematuria. 
 

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System organ class Frequency Undesirable effect 
Very common Anaemia, splenomegaly 
Common Thrombocytopenia 

Blood and lymphatic system 
disorders 

Uncommon Spleen disorder 
Metabolism and nutrition 
disorders 

Very common Decreased glucose, elevated 
alkaline phosphatase, elevated 
LDH, hyperuricaemia 

Nervous system disorders Common Headache 
Respiratory, thoracic and 
mediastinal disorders 

Very common Epistaxis 

Gastrointestinal disorders Common Diarrhoea 
Hepatobiliary disorders Common Hepatomegaly 
Skin and subcutaneous tissue 
disorders 

Common Alopecia, cutaneous vasculitis, 
injection site pain, rash 

Very common Musculoskeletal pain Musculoskeletal and connective 
tissue disorders Common Osteoporosis 
Renal and urinary disorders Uncommon Haematuria, proteinuria 
 
In patients with HIV 
 
In clinical studies, the only undesirable effects that were consistently considered to be related to 
filgrastim administration were musculoskeletal pain, predominantly mild to moderate bone pain and 
myalgia. The incidence of these events was similar to that reported in cancer patients. 
 
Splenic enlargement was reported to be related to filgrastim therapy in < 3% of patients. In all cases 
this was mild or moderate on physical examination and the clinical course was benign; no patients had 
a diagnosis of hypersplenism and no patients underwent splenectomy. As splenic enlargement is a 
common finding in patients with HIV infection and is present to varying degrees in most patients with 
AIDS, the relationship to filgrastim treatment is unclear. 
 
System organ class Frequency Undesirable effect 
Blood and lymphatic system 
disorders 

Common Spleen disorder 

Musculoskeletal and connective 
tissue disorders 

Very common Musculoskeletal pain 

 
4.9 Overdose 
 
No case of overdose has been reported. 
 
Discontinuation of filgrastim therapy usually results in a 50% decrease in circulating neutrophils 
within 1 to 2 days, with a return to normal levels in 1 to 7 days. 
 
 
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES 
 
5.1  Pharmacodynamic properties 
 
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Colony stimulating factors, ATC code: L03AA02 
 
Human G-CSF is a glycoprotein which regulates the production and release of functional neutrophils 
from the bone marrow. Filgrastim ratiopharm containing r-metHuG-CSF (filgrastim) causes marked 
increases in peripheral blood neutrophil counts within 24 hours, with minor increases in monocytes. In 
some SCN patients, filgrastim can also induce a minor increase in the number of circulating 
eosinophils and basophils relative to baseline; some of these patients may present with eosinophilia or 

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basophilia prior to treatment. Elevations of neutrophil counts are dose-dependent at recommended 
doses. Neutrophils produced in response to filgrastim show normal or enhanced function as 
demonstrated by tests of chemotactic and phagocytic function. Following termination of filgrastim 
therapy, circulating neutrophil counts decrease by 50% within 1 to 2 days, and to normal levels within 
1 to 7 days. 
 
Use of filgrastim in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy leads to significant reductions in the 
incidence, severity and duration of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. Treatment with filgrastim 
significantly reduces the duration of febrile neutropenia, antibiotic use and hospitalisation after 
induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukaemia or myeloablative therapy followed by bone 
marrow transplantation. The incidence of fever and documented infections were not reduced in either 
setting. The duration of fever was not reduced in patients undergoing myeloablative therapy followed 
by bone marrow transplantation. 
 
Use of filgrastim, either alone or after chemotherapy, mobilises haematopoietic progenitor cells into 
peripheral blood. These autologous PBPCs may be harvested and infused after high-dose cytotoxic 
therapy, either in place of or in addition to bone marrow transplantation. Infusion of PBPCs 
accelerates haematopoietic recovery reducing the duration of risk for haemorrhagic complications and 
the need for platelet transfusions. 
 
Recipients of allogeneic PBPCs mobilised with filgrastim experienced significantly more rapid 
haematological recovery, leading to a significant decrease in time to unsupported platelet recovery, 
when compared with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. 
 
One retrospective European study evaluating the use of G-CSF after allogeneic bone marrow 
transplantation in patients with acute leukaemias suggested an increase in the risk of GvHD, treatment 
related mortality (TRM) and mortality when G-CSF was administered. In a separate retrospective 
international study in patients with acute and chronic myelogenous leukaemias, no effect on the risk of 
GvHD, TRM and mortality was seen. A meta-analysis of allogeneic transplant studies, including the 
results of nine prospective randomized trials, 8 retrospective studies and 1 case-controlled study, did 
not detect an effect on the risks of acute GvHD, chronic GvHD or early treatment-related mortality. 
 
Relative risk (95% CI) of GvHD and TRM following treatment with G-CSF after bone marrow 
transplantation 
Publication Period of 

study 
N Acute grade 

II-IV GvHD 
Chronic 
GvHD 

TRM 

Meta-analysis 
(2003) 

1986-2001a 1198 1.08 
(0.87, 1.33) 

1.02 
(0.82, 1.26) 

0.70 
(0.38, 1.31) 

European 
retrospective 
study (2004) 

1992-2002b 1789 1.33 
(1.08, 1.64) 

1.29 
(1.02, 1.61) 

1.73 
(1.30, 2.32) 

International 
retrospective 
study (2006) 

1995-2000b 2110 1.11 
(0.86, 1.42) 

1.10 
(0.86, 1.39) 

1.26 
(0.95, 1.67) 

aAnalysis includes studies involving bone marrow transplant during this period; some studies used 
GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage–colony stimulating factor) 
bAnalysis includes patients receiving bone marrow transplant during this period 
 
Prior to allogeneic PBPC transplantation, use of filgrastim for the mobilisation of PBPC in normal 
donors allows a collection of 4 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg recipient body weight in the majority of the 
donors after two leukaphereses. Normal donors are given a dose of a 10 μg/kg/day, administered 
subcutaneously for 4 to 5 consecutive days. 
 
Use of filgrastim in patients, children or adults, with SCN (severe congenital, cyclic, and idiopathic 
neutropenia) induces a sustained increase in absolute neutrophil counts in peripheral blood and a 
reduction of infection and related events. 
 

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Use of filgrastim in patients with HIV infection maintains normal neutrophil counts to allow scheduled 
dosing of antiviral and/or other myelosuppressive medicinal product. There is no evidence that 
patients with HIV infection treated with filgrastim show an increase in HIV replication. 
 
As with other haematopoietic growth factors, G-CSF has shown in vitro stimulating properties on 
human endothelial cells. 
 
The efficacy and safety of Filgrastim ratiopharm has been assessed in randomised, controlled phase III 
studies in breast cancer, lung cancer and Non-Hodgkin-Lymphoma. There were no relevant 
differences between Filgrastim ratiopharm and the reference product with regard to duration of severe 
neutropenia and incidence of febrile neutropenia. 
 
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties 
 
Randomised, single-blind, single dose, crossover studies in 196 healthy volunteers showed that the 
pharmacokinetic profile of Filgrastim ratiopharm was comparable to that of the reference product after 
subcutaneous and intravenous administration. 
 
Clearance of filgrastim has been shown to follow first-order pharmacokinetics after both subcutaneous 
and intravenous administration. The serum elimination half-life of filgrastim is approximately 
3.5 hours, with a clearance rate of approximately 0.6 ml/min/kg. Continuous infusion with filgrastim 
over a period of up to 28 days, in patients recovering from autologous bone-marrow transplantation, 
resulted in no evidence of drug accumulation and comparable elimination half-lives. There is a 
positive linear correlation between the dose and the serum concentration of filgrastim, whether 
administered intravenously or subcutaneously. Following subcutaneous administration of 
recommended doses, serum concentrations were maintained above 10 ng/ml for 8 to 16 hours. The 
volume of distribution in blood is approximately 150 ml/kg. 
 
In cancer patients, the pharmacokinetic profile of Filgrastim ratiopharm and the reference product was 
comparable after single and repeated subcutaneous administration. 
 
5.3 Preclinical safety data 
 
Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety 
pharmacology, genotoxicity and local tolerance. 
 
Preclinical data from conventional studies of repeated dose toxicity revealed the expected 
pharmacological effects including increases in leukocyte count, myeloid hyperplasia in bone marrow, 
extramedullary haematopoiesis and splenic enlargement. 
 
No effect was observed on the fertility of male and female rats or gestation in rats. There is no 
evidence from studies in rats and rabbits that filgrastim is teratogenic. An increased incidence of 
embryo-loss has been observed in rabbits, but no malformation has been seen. 
 
 
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS 
 
6.1 List of excipients 
 
Acetic acid, glacial 
Sodium hydroxide 
Sorbitol (E420) 
Polysorbate 80 
Water for injections 
 
6.2 Incompatibilities 

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Filgrastim ratiopharm should not be diluted with sodium chloride solution. 
 
This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in 
section 6.6. 
 
Diluted filgrastim may be adsorbed to glass and plastic materials except diluted, as mentioned in 
section 6.6. 
 
6.3 Shelf life 
 
2 years. 
 
After dilution: Chemical and physical in-use stability of the diluted solution for infusion has been 
demonstrated for 24 hours at 2 °C to 8 °C. From a microbiological point of view, the product should 
be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the 
responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 °C to 8 °C, unless 
dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions. 
 
6.4 Special precautions for storage 
 
Store in a refrigerator (2 °C – 8 °C). 
 
For storage conditions of the diluted medicinal product, see section 6.3. 
 
6.5 Nature and contents of container 
 
Type I glass pre-filled syringe with a permanently attached stainless steel needle. 
 
Packs containing 1, 5 or 10 pre-filled syringes with 0.8 ml solution for injection or infusion or 
multipacks containing 10 (2 packs of 5) pre-filled syringes with 0.8 ml solution for injection or 
infusion. 
 
Not all pack sizes may be marketed. 
 
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling 
 
If required, Filgrastim ratiopharm may be diluted in glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for infusion . 
 
Dilution to a final concentration less than 0.2 MIU (2 μg) per ml is not recommended at any time. 
 
The solution should be visually inspected prior to use. Only clear solutions without particles should be 
used. 
 
For patients treated with filgrastim diluted to concentrations below 1.5 MIU (15 μg) per ml, human 
serum albumin (HSA) should be added to a final concentration of 2 mg/ml. 
 
Example: In a final injection volume of 20 ml, total doses of filgrastim less than 30 MIU (300 μg) 
should be given with 0.2 ml of 200 mg/ml (20%) human albumin solution added. 
 
When diluted in glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for infusion, Filgrastim ratiopharm is compatible 
with glass and a variety of plastics including PVC, polyolefin (a co-polymer of polypropylene and 
polyethylene) and polypropylene. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm does not contain any preservative. In view of the possible risk of microbial 
contamination, Filgrastim ratiopharm syringes are for single use only. 
 

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Accidental exposure to freezing temperatures does not adversely affect the stability of Filgrastim 
ratiopharm. 
 
Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements. 
 
 
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
ratiopharm GmbH 
Graf-Arco-Straße 3 
D-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
info@ratiopharm.de 
 
 
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)  
 
EU/1/08/449/005 
EU/1/08/449/006 
EU/1/08/449/007 
EU/1/08/449/008 
 
 
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION 
 
Date of first authorisation: 15 September 2008. 
 
 
10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT 
 
 
 
 
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu/. 
 
 

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ANNEX II 
 

A. MANUFACTURER OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE 
SUBSTANCE AND MANUFACTURING AUTHORISATION 
HOLDER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE 

 
B. CONDITIONS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION 

 

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A. MANUFACTURER OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCE AND 
MANUFACTURING AUTHORISATION HOLDER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH 
RELEASE 

 
Name and address of the manufacturer of the biological active substance 
 
SICOR Biotech UAB 
Molėtų pl. 5  
LT-08409 Vilnius 
Lithuania 
 
 
Name and address of the manufacturer responsible for batch release 
 
Merckle Biotec GmbH 
Dornierstraße 10 
DE-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
 
 
B. CONDITIONS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION 
 
• CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE IMPOSED ON 

THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
Medicinal product subject to restricted medical prescription (See Annex I: Summary of Product 
Characteristics, section 4.2). 
 
• CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND 

EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Not applicable 
 
• OTHER CONDITIONS 
 
Pharmacovigilance system 
The MAH must ensure that the system of pharmacovigilance, as described in version 2.1 presented in 
Module 1.8.1. of the Marketing Authorisation Application, is in place and functioning before and 
whilst the product is on the market. 
 
Risk Management Plan 
The MAH commits to performing the studies and additional pharmacovigilance activities detailed in 
the Pharmacovigilance Plan, as agreed in version 5 of the Risk Management Plan (RMP) presented in 
Module 1.8.2. of the Marketing Authorisation Application and any subsequent updates of the RMP 
agreed by the CHMP. 
 
As per the CHMP Guideline on Risk Management Systems for medicinal products for human use, the 
updated RMP should be submitted at the same time as the next Periodic Safety Update Report 
(PSUR). 
 
In addition, an updated RMP should be submitted 

• When new information is received that may impact on the current Safety Specification, 
Pharmacovigilance Plan or risk minimisation activities 

• Within 60 days of an important (pharmacovigilance or risk minimisation) milestone being 
reached 

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• At the request of the EMEA  

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ANNEX III 
 

LABELLING AND PACKAGE LEAFLET 

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A. LABELLING 

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING 
 
Outer Carton 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 30 MIU/0.5 ml solution for injection or infusion 
 
Filgrastim 
 
 
2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) 
 
Each pre-filled syringe contains 30 million international units [MIU] (300 microgram) of filgrastim in 
0.5 ml (60 MIU/ml, 600 microgram/ml). 
 
 
3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS 
 
Excipients: Sodium hydroxide, glacial acetic acid, sorbitol, polysorbate 80, water for injections. Read 
the package leaflet before use. 
 
 
4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS 
 
Solution for injection or infusion 
 
1 pre-filled syringe with 0.5 ml 
 
5 pre-filled syringes with 0.5 ml 
 
10 pre-filled syringes with 0.5 ml 
 
 
5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
Subcutaneous use and intravenous use. 
 
For single use only. 
 
Please use as follows: 
Box for the prescribed dose 
 
 
6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 

OF THE REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN 
 
Keep out of the reach and sight of children. 
 
 
7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY 

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8. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
After dilution use within 24 hours. 
 
 
9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS 
 
Store in a refrigerator. 
 
 
10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE 
 
 
11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
ratiopharm GmbH 
Graf-Arco-Straße 3 
D-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
info@ratiopharm.de 
 
 
12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)  
 
 
EU/1/08/449/001 1 pre-filled syringe 
EU/1/08/449/002 5 pre-filled syringes 
EU/1/08/449/004 10 pre-filled syringes 
 
 
13. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Batch 
 
 
14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY 
 
Medicinal product subject to medical prescription. 
 
 
15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE 
 
 
16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 30 MIU/0.5 ml 
 
 

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING 
 
Outer Carton 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 48 MIU/0.8 ml solution for injection or infusion 
 
Filgrastim 
 
 
2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) 
 
Each pre-filled syringe contains 48 million international units [MIU] (480 microgram) of filgrastim in 
0.8 ml (60 MIU/ml, 600 microgram/ml). 
 
 
3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS 
 
Excipients: Sodium hydroxide, glacial acetic acid, sorbitol, polysorbate 80, water for injections. Read 
the package leaflet before use. 
 
 
4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS 
 
Solution for injection or infusion 
 
1 pre-filled syringe with 0.8 ml 
 
5 pre-filled syringes with 0.8 ml 
 
10 pre-filled syringes with 0.8 ml 
 
 
5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
Subcutaneous use and intravenous use. 
 
For single use only. 
 
Please use as follows: 
Box for the prescribed dose 
 
 
6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 

OF THE REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN 
 
Keep out of the reach and sight of children. 
 
 
7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY 

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8. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
After dilution use within 24 hours. 
 
 
9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS 
 
Store in a refrigerator. 
 
 
10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE 
 
 
11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
ratiopharm GmbH 
Graf-Arco-Straße 3 
D-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
info@ratiopharm.de 
 
 
12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)  
 
EU/1/08/449/005 1 pre-filled syringe 
EU/1/08/449/006 5 pre-filled syringes 
EU/1/08/449/008 10 pre-filled syringes 
 
 
13. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Batch 
 
 
14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY 
 
Medicinal product subject to medical prescription. 
 
 
15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE 
 
 
16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 48 MIU/0.8 ml 
 
 

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING 
 
Outer Wrapper Label on Multipacks Wrapped in Transparent Foil - Including the Blue Box 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 30 MIU/0.5 ml solution for injection or infusion 
 
Filgrastim 
 
 
2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) 
 
Each pre-filled syringe contains 30 million international units [MIU] (300 microgram) of filgrastim in 
0.5 ml (60 MIU/ml, 600 microgram/ml). 
 
 
3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS 
 
Excipients: Sodium hydroxide, glacial acetic acid, sorbitol, polysorbate 80, water for injections. Read 
the package leaflet before use. 
 
 
4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS 
 
Solution for injection or infusion 
 
10 pre-filled syringes with 0.5 ml 
 
Multipack comprising 2 packs, each containing 5 pre-filled syringes. 
 
 
5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
Subcutaneous use and intravenous use. 
 
For single use only. 
 
Please use as follows: 
Box for the prescribed dose 
 
 
6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 

OF THE REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN 
 
Keep out of the reach and sight of children. 
 
 
7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY 
 
 

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8. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
After dilution use within 24 hours. 
 
 
9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS 
 
Store in a refrigerator. 
 
 
10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE 
 
 
11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
ratiopharm GmbH 
Graf-Arco-Straße 3 
D-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
info@ratiopharm.de 
 
 
12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)  
 
EU/1/08/449/003 2 x 5 pre-filled syringes 
 
 
13. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Batch 
 
 
14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY 
 
Medicinal product subject to medical prescription. 
 
 
15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE 
 
 
16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE 
 
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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING 
 
Outer Wrapper Label on Multipacks Wrapped in Transparent Foil - Including the Blue Box 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 48 MIU/0.8 ml solution for injection or infusion 
 
Filgrastim 
 
 
2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) 
 
Each pre-filled syringe contains 48 million international units [MIU] (480 microgram) of filgrastim in 
0.8 ml (60 MIU/ml, 600 microgram/ml). 
 
 
3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS 
 
Excipients: Sodium hydroxide, glacial acetic acid, sorbitol, polysorbate 80, water for injections. Read 
the package leaflet before use. 
 
 
4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS 
 
Solution for injection or infusion 
 
10 pre-filled syringes with 0.8 ml 
 
Multipack comprising 2 packs, each containing 5 pre-filled syringes. 
 
 
5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
Subcutaneous use and intravenous use. 
 
For single use only. 
 
Please use as follows: 
Box for the prescribed dose 
 
 
6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 

OF THE REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN 
 
Keep out of the reach and sight of children. 
 
 
7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY 
 
 

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8. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
After dilution use within 24 hours. 
 
 
9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS 
 
Store in a refrigerator. 
 
 
10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE 
 
 
11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
ratiopharm GmbH 
Graf-Arco-Straße 3 
D-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
info@ratiopharm.de 
 
 
12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)  
 
EU/1/08/449/007 2 x 5 pre-filled syringes 
 
 
13. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Batch 
 
 
14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY 
 
Medicinal product subject to medical prescription. 
 
 
15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE 
 
 
16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE 
 
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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE INTERMEDIATE PACKAGING 
 
Multipack Carton - Without the Blue Box 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 30 MIU/0.5 ml solution for injection or infusion 
 
Filgrastim 
 
 
2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) 
 
Each pre-filled syringe contains 30 million international units [MIU] (300 microgram) of filgrastim in 
0.5 ml (60 MIU/ml, 600 microgram/ml). 
 
 
3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS 
 
Excipients: Sodium hydroxide, glacial acetic acid, sorbitol, polysorbate 80, water for injections. Read 
the package leaflet before use. 
 
 
4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS 
 
Solution for injection or infusion 
 
5 pre-filled syringes with 0.5 ml 
 
Component of a multipack comprising 2 packs, each containing 5 pre-filled syringes 
 
 
5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
Subcutaneous use and intravenous use. 
 
For single use only. 
 
Please use as follows: 
Box for the prescribed dose 
 
 
6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 

OF THE REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN 
 
Keep out of the reach and sight of children. 
 
 
7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY 
 
 

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8. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
After dilution use within 24 hours. 
 
 
9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS 
 
Store in a refrigerator. 
 
 
10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE 
 
 
11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
ratiopharm GmbH 
Graf-Arco-Straße 3 
D-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
info@ratiopharm.de 
 
 
12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)  
 
EU/1/08/449/003 2 x 5 pre-filled syringes 
 
 
13. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Batch 
 
 
14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY 
 
Medicinal product subject to medical prescription. 
 
 
15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE 
 
 
16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 30 MIU/0.5 ml 
 
 

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE INTERMEDIATE PACKAGING 
 
Multipack Carton - Without the Blue Box 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 48 MIU/0.8 ml solution for injection or infusion 
 
Filgrastim 
 
 
2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) 
 
Each pre-filled syringe contains 48 million international units [MIU] (480 microgram) of filgrastim in 
0.8 ml (60 MIU/ml, 600 microgram/ml). 
 
 
3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS 
 
Excipients: Sodium hydroxide, glacial acetic acid, sorbitol, polysorbate 80, water for injections. Read 
the package leaflet before use. 
 
 
4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS 
 
Solution for injection or infusion 
 
5 pre-filled syringes with 0.8 ml 
 
Component of a multipack comprising 2 packs, each containing 5 pre-filled syringes 
 
 
5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
Subcutaneous use and intravenous use. 
 
For single use only. 
 
Please use as follows: 
Box for the prescribed dose 
 
 
6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 

OF THE REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN 
 
Keep out of the reach and sight of children. 
 
 
7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY 
 
 

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8. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
After dilution use within 24 hours. 
 
 
9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS 
 
Store in a refrigerator. 
 
 
10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE 
 
 
11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
ratiopharm GmbH 
Graf-Arco-Straße 3 
D-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
info@ratiopharm.de 
 
 
12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)  
 
EU/1/08/449/007 2 x 5 pre-filled syringes 
 
 
13. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Batch 
 
 
14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY 
 
Medicinal product subject to medical prescription. 
 
 
15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE 
 
 
16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 48 MIU/0.8 ml 
 
 

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MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON SMALL IMMEDIATE PACKAGING UNITS 
 
Pre-filled syringe  
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 30 MIU/0.5 ml solution for injection or infusion 
 
Filgrastim 
 
SC 
IV 
 
 
2. METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
 
3. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
 
4. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Batch 
 
 
5. CONTENTS BY WEIGHT, BY VOLUME OR BY UNIT 
 
0.5 ml 
 
 
6. OTHER 
 
 

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MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON SMALL IMMEDIATE PACKAGING UNITS 
 
Pre-filled syringe  
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 48 MIU/0.8 ml solution for injection or infusion 
 
Filgrastim 
 
SC 
IV 
 
 
2. METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
 
3. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
 
4. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Batch 
 
 
5. CONTENTS BY WEIGHT, BY VOLUME OR BY UNIT 
 
0.8 ml 
 
 
6. OTHER 
 
 

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B. PACKAGE LEAFLET 
 

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PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER 
 

Filgrastim ratiopharm 30 MIU/0.5 ml solution for injection or infusion 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 48 MIU/0.8 ml solution for injection or infusion 

 
Filgrastim 

 
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine. 
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again. 
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even 

if their symptoms are the same as yours. 
- If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, 

please tell your doctor or pharmacist. 
 
 
In this leaflet: 
1. What Filgrastim ratiopharm is and what it is used for 
2. Before you use Filgrastim ratiopharm 
3. How to use Filgrastim ratiopharm 
4. Possible side effects 
5. How to store Filgrastim ratiopharm 
6. Further information 
 
 
1. WHAT Filgrastim ratiopharm IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR 
 
What Filgrastim ratiopharm is 
Filgrastim ratiopharm contains the active substance filgrastim. Filgrastim is a protein produced by 
biotechnology in bacteria called Escherichia coli. It belongs to a group of proteins called cytokines 
and is very similar to a natural protein (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor [G-CSF]) produced by 
your own body. Filgrastim stimulates the bone marrow (the tissue where new blood cells are made) to 
produce more blood cells, especially certain types of white cells. White cells are important as they 
help your body fight infection. 
 
What Filgrastim ratiopharm is used for 
Your doctor has prescribed Filgrastim ratiopharm for you to help your body make more white blood 
cells. Your doctor will tell you why you are being treated with Filgrastim ratiopharm. Filgrastim 
ratiopharm is useful in several different conditions which are: 
- chemotherapy, 
- bone marrow transplantation, 
- severe chronic neutropenia, 
- neutropenia in patients with HIV infection, 
- peripheral blood stem cell mobilisation. 
 
 
2. BEFORE YOU USE Filgrastim ratiopharm 
 
Do not use Filgrastim ratiopharm 
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to filgrastim or to any of the other ingredients of Filgrastim 

ratiopharm. 
 
Take special care with Filgrastim ratiopharm 
- if you experience a cough, fever and difficulty breathing. It could be a consequence of a 

pulmonary disorder (see section “4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS”). 
- if you have sickle cell disease; or 

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- if you get left upper abdominal pain or pain at the tip of your shoulder. It could be a consequence 
of a spleen disorder (see section “4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS”). 

 
You will need to have regular blood tests whilst being treated with Filgrastim ratiopharm to count the 
number of neutrophils and other white blood cells in your blood. This will tell your doctor how well 
the treatment is working and will also indicate if treatment needs to be continued. 
 
Using other medicines 
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, 
including medicines obtained without a prescription. 
 
Pregnancy and breast-feeding 
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. 
Filgrastim ratiopharm has not been tested in pregnant women. It is important to tell your doctor if you 
are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan to get pregnant, as the doctor may decide that you 
should not use this medicine. 
 
It is unknown whether filgrastim passes over to the breast milk. Therefore, your doctor may decide 
that you should not use this medicine if you are breast-feeding. 
 
Driving and using machines 
If you experience fatigue, do not drive or use any tools or machines. 
 
Important information about some of the ingredients of Filgrastim ratiopharm 
This medicine contains sorbitol (a type of sugar). If you have been told by your doctor that you have 
an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine. 
 
 
3. HOW TO USE Filgrastim ratiopharm 
 
Always use Filgrastim ratiopharm exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your 
doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. 
 
The usual dose is... 
The amount of Filgrastim ratiopharm you need will depend on the condition you are taking Filgrastim 
ratiopharm for and on your bodyweight. Your doctor will tell you when to stop using Filgrastim 
ratiopharm. It is quite normal to have a number of courses of Filgrastim ratiopharm treatment. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm and chemotherapy 
The usual dose is 0.5 million international units (MIU) per kilogram of bodyweight each day. For 
example, if you weigh 60 kg your daily dose will be 30 million international units (MIU). Your 
treatment will usually last for about 14 days. In some disease types however, longer treatment lasting 
up to about one month may be required. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm and bone marrow transplantation 
The usual starting dose is 1 million international units (MIU) per kilogram of bodyweight each day. 
For example, if you weigh 60 kg your daily dose will be 60 million international units (MIU). You 
will normally receive your first dose of Filgrastim ratiopharm at least 24 hours after your 
chemotherapy but within 24 hours of receiving your bone marrow transfusion. Your doctor will test 
your blood daily to see how well the treatment is working and to find the dose that is best for you. The 
treatment will be discontinued when white cells in your blood reach a certain number. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm and severe chronic neutropenia 
The usual starting dose is between 0.5 million and 1.2 million international units (MIU) per kilogram 
bodyweight each day in a single or divided dose. Your doctor will then test your blood to see how well 
your treatment is working and to find the dose that is best for you. Long-term treatment with 
Filgrastim ratiopharm is required for neutropenia. 

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58 

 
Filgrastim ratiopharm and neutropenia in patients with HIV infection 
The usual starting dose is between 0.1 and 0.4 million international units (MIU) per kilogram 
bodyweight each day. Your doctor will test your blood at regular intervals to see how well the 
treatment is working. Once the number of white cells in your blood have returned to normal it may be 
possible to reduce the dose frequency to less than once per day. Your doctor will continue to test your 
blood regularly and will recommend the best dose for you. Long term treatment with Filgrastim 
ratiopharm may be required to maintain a normal number of white cells in your blood. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm and peripheral blood stem cell mobilisation 
If you are donating stem cells for yourself, the usual dose is 0.5 million to 1 million international units 
(MIU) per kilogram bodyweight each day. Filgrastim ratiopharm treatment will last for up to 2 weeks 
and in exceptional cases longer. Your doctor will monitor your blood to determine the best time to 
collect the stem cells. 
 
If you are acting as a stem cell donor for another person, the usual dose is 1 million international units 
(MIU) per kilogram bodyweight each day. Filgrastim ratiopharm treatment will last for 4 to 5 days. 
 
Method of administration 
This medicine is given by injection, either through an intravenous infusion (drip) or into the tissue just 
under the skin. This is known as a subcutaneous (SC) injection. If you are receiving this medicine by 
subcutaneous injection, your doctor may suggest that you learn how to give yourself the injections. 
Your doctor or nurse will give you instructions on how to do this. Do not attempt to self-administer 
without this training. Some of the information you require is given at the end of this package leaflet, 
but proper treatment of your disease requires close and constant co-operation with your doctor. 
 
Each pre-filled syringe is for single use only. 
 
If you use more Filgrastim ratiopharm than you should 
If you use more Filgrastim ratiopharm than you should, contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as 
possible. 
 
If you forget to use Filgrastim ratiopharm 
Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten injection. 
 
If you stop using Filgrastim ratiopharm 
Before you stop using Filgrastim ratiopharm, talk to your doctor. 
 
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 
 
 
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS 
 
Like all medicines, Filgrastim ratiopharm can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. 
 
The following frequency conventions are used in the evaluation of side effects: 
Very common: more than 1 user in 10 
Common:  1 to 10 users in 100 
Uncommon:  1 to 10 users in 1,000 
Rare:   1 to 10 users in 10,000 
Very rare:  less than 1 user in 10,000 
Not known:  frequency cannot be estimated from the available data. 
 
Allergic-type reactions to filgrastim, including skin rash, raised areas of the skin that itch and 
anaphylaxis (weakness, drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing and swelling of the face) have 
been reported. If you think you are having this type of reaction, stop your Filgrastim ratiopharm 
injection and get medical help immediately. 

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59 

 
Increased spleen size and very rare cases of spleen ruptures have been reported. Some cases of splenic 
rupture were fatal. 
 
It is important that you contact your doctor immediately if you experience pain in the upper left side 
of the abdomen or left shoulder pain since this may relate to a problem with your spleen. 
 
It is also very important that you call your doctor if you think you may have an infection. There are 
many ways an infection may show itself. You should watch for a temperature of 37.8 °C or above, 
chills or other signs of infection, such as a rash, sore throat, diarrhoea, ear-ache, difficult or painful 
breathing or problems such as cough or wheezing. These symptoms could be signs of severe 
pulmonary side effects, like pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome in adults, which may be 
fatal. If you have a fever or any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately and go straight to 
your hospital. 
 
If you have Sickle Cell Disease, make sure that you tell your doctor before you start taking Filgrastim 
ratiopharm. Sickle cell crisis has happened in some patients with Sickle Cell Disease who have been 
given filgrastim. 
 
As a very common side effect, filgrastim may cause bone and muscle pain. Ask your doctor which 
medicine you can take to help with this. 
 
You may experience the following additional side effects: 
- reduction in red blood cells which can make the skin pale and cause weakness or breathlessness, 

reduction in blood platelets, which increases risk of bleeding or bruising, rise in white blood 
cells 

- rejection of transplanted bone marrow (frequency unknown) 
- elevated levels of some liver or blood enzymes, high blood levels of uric acid, low blood levels 

of glucose 
- headache 
- transient low blood pressure, vascular disorders (which can cause pain, redness and swelling in 

the limbs) 
- nosebleed, cough, sore throat 
- cough, fever and difficulty breathing or coughing up blood (frequency unknown) 
- feeling sick, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, mucositis (painful inflammation 

and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract) 
- pains or difficulties in passing urine (very rare), blood in the urine, protein in the urine 
- enlarged liver 
- inflammation of blood vessels, often with skin rash (very rare); the appearance of plum-

coloured, raised, painful lesions on the limbs (sometimes the face and neck) with fever (Sweet's 
syndrome, very rare); hair loss; pain at the site of injection; rash 

- joint pain; chest pain; worsening of rheumatic conditions; loss of calcium from the bones; pain 
and swelling of the joints, similar to gout (frequency unknown) 

- fatigue, generalised weakness, unspecified pain. 
 
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please 
tell your doctor or pharmacist. 
 
 
5. HOW TO STORE Filgrastim ratiopharm 
 
Keep out of the reach and sight of children. 
 
Do not use Filgrastim ratiopharm after the expiry date which is stated on the outer carton and on the 
pre-filled syringe after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 
 

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60 

Store in a refrigerator (2 °C – 8 °C). 
 
Do not use Filgrastim ratiopharm if you notice it is cloudy or there are particles in it. 
 
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to 
dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment. 
 
 
6. FURTHER INFORMATION 
 
What Filgrastim ratiopharm contains 
- The active substance is filgrastim. Each ml of solution for injection or infusion contains 

60 million international units [MIU] (600 µicrogram) of filgrastim. 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 30 MIU/0.5 ml: Each pre-filled syringe contains 30 million international 
units [MIU] (300 microgram) of filgrastim in 0.5 ml solution. 
Filgrastim ratiopharm 48 MIU/0.8 ml: Each pre-filled syringe contains 48 million international 
units [MIU] (480 microgram) of filgrastim in 0.8 ml solution. 

- The other ingredients are: Sodium hydroxide, glacial acetic acid, sorbitol, polysorbate 80, water 
for injections. 
You will find detailed information about the ingredient sorbitol (a sugar) in section 2. under the 
heading “Important information about some of the ingredients of Filgrastim ratiopharm”. 

 
What Filgrastim ratiopharm looks like and contents of the pack 
Filgrastim ratiopharm is a solution for injection or infusion in a pre-filled syringe. Filgrastim 
ratiopharm is a clear and colourless solution. Each pre-filled syringe contains 0.5 ml or 0.8 ml of 
solution. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm are supplied in packs of 1, 5 or 10 pre-filled syringes or multipacks of 10 (2 
packs of 5) pre-filled syringes. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. 
 
Marketing Authorisation Holder 
ratiopharm GmbH 
Graf-Arco-Straße 3 
D-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
info@ratiopharm.de 
 
Manufacturer 
Merckle Biotec GmbH 
Dornierstraße 10 
D-89079 Ulm 
Germany 
 
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing 
Authorisation Holder: 
 
België/Belgique/Belgien 
ratiopharm Belgium S.A. 
Tél/Tel: +32 2 761 10 11 
 

Luxembourg/Luxemburg 
ratiopharm S.A. Luxemburg 
Tél/Tel: +35 2 40 37 27 

България 
ratiopharm GmbH, Германия 
Teл: +49 731 402 02 
 

Magyarország 
ratiopharm Hungária Kft. 
Tel: +36 1 273 2730 
 

Česká republika 
ratiopharm CZ s.r.o. 

Malta 
ratiopharm GmbH, Il Ġermanja 

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Tel: +420 2 510 21 122 
 

Tel: +49 731 402 02 

Danmark 
ratiopharm A/S 
Tlf: +45 45 46 06 60 

Nederland 
ratiopharm Nederland bv 
Tel: +31 75 653 00 00 
 

Deutschland 
ratiopharm GmbH 
Tel: +49 731 402 02 
 

Norge 
ratiopharm AS 
Tlf: +47 66 77 55 90 
 

Eesti 
ratiopharm Eesti büroo 
Tel: +372 6838 006 
 

Österreich 
ratiopharm Arzneimittel Vertriebs-GmbH 
Tel: +43 1 97 007 
 

Ελλάδα 
ratiopharm GmbH, Γερμανία 
Τηλ: +49 731 402 02 

Polska 
ratiopharm Polska Sp.z.o.o 
Tel: +48 22 335 39 20 
 

España 
ratiopharm España, S.A. 
Division ratiopharm direct 
Tel: +34 91 567 29 70 
 

Portugal 
ratiopharm, Comércio e Indústria de Produtos 
farmacêuticos Lda 
Tel: +351 21 424 80 00 
 

France 
Laboratoire ratiopharm S.A. 
Tél: +33 1 42 07 97 04 
 

România 
ratiopharm GmbH, Germania 
Tel: +49 731 402 02 
 

Ireland 
ratiopharm UK Ltd, United Kingdom 
Tel: +44 239 238 6330 
 

Slovenija 
ratiopharm GmbH, Nemčija 
Tel: +49 731 402 02 
 

Ísland 
ratiopharm GmbH, Þýskaland 
Sími: +49 731 402 02 
 

Slovenská republika 
ratiopharm Slovensko s.r.o. 
Tel: +421 2 57 200 300 

Italia 
ratiopharm Italia s.r.l. 
Division ratiopharm direct 
Tel: +39 02 28 87 71 
 

Suomi/Finland 
ratiopharm Oy 
Puh/Tel: +358 20 180 5900 
 

Κύπρος 
ratiopharm GmbH, Γερμανία 
Τηλ: +49 731 402 02 

Sverige 
ratiopharm AB 
Tel: +46 42 37 0740 
 

Latvija 
ratiopharm Latvijas pārstāvniecība 
Tel: +371 67499110 

United Kingdom 
ratiopharm UK Ltd 
Tel: +44 239 238 6330 
 

Lietuva 
ratiopharm atstovas Lietuvoje 
Tel: + 370 5 212 3295 

 

 
This leaflet was last approved in  
 
INFORMATION FOR INJECTING YOURSELF 
 

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This section contains information on how to give yourself an injection of Filgrastim ratiopharm. It is 
important that you do not try to give yourself the injection unless you have received special training 
from your doctor or nurse. It is also important that you dispose of the syringe in a puncture-proof 
container. If you are not sure about giving yourself the injection or you have any questions, please ask 
your doctor or nurse for help. 
 
How do I inject Filgrastim ratiopharm myself? 
You will need to give yourself the injection into the tissue just under the skin. This is known as a 
subcutaneous injection. You will need to have your injections at about the same time every day. 
 
Equipment that you need 
To give yourself a subcutaneous injection you will need: 
- a pre-filled syringe of Filgrastim ratiopharm, 
- alcohol wipes or similar, 
- a puncture-proof container (plastic container provided by the hospital or pharmacy) so you can 

dispose of used syringes safely. 
 
What should I do before I give myself a subcutaneous injection of Filgrastim ratiopharm? 
1. Try to self-inject at approximately the same time every day. 
2. Take your Filgrastim ratiopharm pre-filled syringe out of the refrigerator. 
3. Check the expiry date on the pre-filled syringe label (EXP). Do not use it if the date has passed 

the last day of the month shown. 
4. Check the appearance of Filgrastim ratiopharm. It must be a clear and colourless liquid. If there 

are particles in it, you must not use it. 
5. For a more comfortable injection, let the pre-filled syringe stand for 30 minutes to reach room 

temperature or hold the pre-filled syringe gently in your hand for a few minutes. Do not warm 
Filgrastim ratiopharm in any other way (for example, do not warm it in a microwave or in hot 
water). 

6. Do not remove the cover from the syringe until you are ready to inject. 
7. Wash your hands thoroughly. 
8. Find a comfortable, well-lit place and put everything you need where you can reach them (the 

Filgrastim ratiopharm pre-filled syringe, alcohol wipes and the puncture-proof container). 
 
How do I prepare my Filgrastim ratiopharm injection? 
Before you inject Filgrastim ratiopharm you must do the following: 
1. Hold the syringe barrel and gently take the cover from the needle without twisting. Pull straight 

as shown in pictures 1 and 2. Do not touch the needle or push the plunger. 

1 
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63 

2 
2. You may notice a small air bubble in the pre-filled syringe. If there are air bubbles present, 

gently tap the syringe with your fingers until the air bubbles rise to the top of the syringe. With 
the syringe pointing upwards, expel all air from the syringe by pushing the plunger upwards. 

3. The syringe has a scale on the syringe barrel. Push the plunger up to the number (ml) on the 
syringe that matches the dose of Filgrastim ratiopharm that your doctor prescribed. 

4. Check again to make sure the correct dose of Filgrastim ratiopharm is in the syringe. 
5. You can now use the pre-filled syringe. 
 
Where should I give my injection? 
The most suitable places to inject yourself are: 
- the top of your thighs; and 
- the abdomen, except for the area around the navel (see picture 3). 
 

3 
 

4 
 
If someone else is injecting you, they can also use the back of your arms (see picture 4). 
 
It is better to change the injection site every day to avoid the risk of soreness at any one site. 
 
How do I give my injection? 
1. Disinfect your skin by using an alcohol wipe and pinch the skin between your thumb and 

forefinger, without squeezing it (see picture 5). 
2. Put the needle fully into the skin as shown by your nurse or doctor (see picture 6). 
3. Pull slightly on the plunger to check that a blood vessel has not been punctured. If you see 

blood in the syringe, remove the needle and re-insert it in another place. 
4. Inject the liquid slowly and evenly, always keeping your skin pinched. 

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64 

5. Inject only the dose your doctor has told you.  
6. After injecting the liquid, remove the needle and let go of your skin. 
7. Only use each syringe for one injection. Do not use any Filgrastim ratiopharm that is left in the 
syringe. 
 

5 
 

6 
 
Remember 
If you have any problems, please do not be afraid to ask your doctor or nurse for help and advice. 
 
Disposing of used syringes 
- Do not put the cover back on used needles. 
- Put used syringes into the puncture-proof container and keep this container out of the reach and 

sight of children. 
- Dispose of the full puncture-proof container as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. 
- Never put the syringes that you have used into your normal household rubbish bin. 
 
 
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE 
PROFESSIONALS ONLY 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm does not contain any preservative. In view of the possible risk of microbial 
contamination, Filgrastim ratiopharm syringes are for single use only. 
 
Accidental exposure to freezing temperatures does not adversely affect the stability of Filgrastim 
ratiopharm. 
 
Filgrastim ratiopharm should not be diluted with sodium chloride solution. This medicinal product 
must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned below. Diluted filgrastim 
may be adsorbed to glass and plastic materials except diluted, as mentioned below. 
 
If required, Filgrastim ratiopharm may be diluted in glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for infusion. 
Dilution to a final concentration less than 0.2 MIU (2 μg) per ml is not recommended at any time. The 
solution should be visually inspected prior to use. Only clear solutions without particles should be 
used. For patients treated with filgrastim diluted to concentrations below 1.5 MIU (15 μg) per ml, 
human serum albumin (HSA) should be added to a final concentration of 2 mg/ml. Example: In a final 
injection volume of 20 ml, total doses of filgrastim less than 30 MIU (300 μg) should be given with 

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65 

0.2 ml of 200 mg/ml (20%) human albumin solution added. When diluted in glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) 
solution for infusion, Filgrastim ratiopharm is compatible with glass and a variety of plastics including 
PVC, polyolefin (a co-polymer of polypropylene and polyethylene) and polypropylene. 
 
After dilution: Chemical and physical in-use stability of the diluted solution for infusion has been 
demonstrated for 24 hours at 2 °C to 8 °C. From a microbiological point of view, the product should 
be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the 
responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 °C to 8 °C, unless 
dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions. 
 

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	SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
	A. MANUFACTURER OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCE AND MANUFACTURING AUTHORISATION HOLDER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE
	B. CONDITIONS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION
	A. LABELLING
	B. PACKAGE LEAFLET