filgrastim

Definition of filgrastim

filgrastim (fil-GRAS-tim): A drug used under the brand names Neupogen, Zarxio, and Nivestym to treat neutropenia (a lower-than-normal number of white blood cells), prevent infection, and prepare the blood for the collection of certain types of blood cells, and under the brand name Granix to treat neutropenia. Filgrastim is used in patients who have certain cancers and neutropenia caused by some types of chemotherapy and in patients who have severe chronic neutropenia that is not caused by cancer treatment. It is also used before an autologous stem cell transplant. Filgrastim helps the bone marrow make more white blood cells. It is a type of colony-stimulating factor. Also called G-CSF and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms