Rolvedon

Generic name: eflapegrastim-xnst
Dosage form: injection
Drug class: Colony stimulating factors

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 20, 2022.

What is Rolvedon?

Rolvedon is a long-acting, man-made form of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

G-CSF is a substance produced by the body. It stimulates the growth of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell important in the body’s fight against infection.

What is Rolvedon used to treat?

Rolvedon is used to reduce the incidence of infection due to neutropenia (a lack of neutrophils) that is caused by receiving chemotherapy.

It is not known if this medicine is safe and effective in children.

Who should not receive Rolvedon?

You should not receive Rolvedon if you have had a serious allergic reaction to eflapegrastim, pegfilgrastim or filgrastim products.

Before receiving Rolvedon

Before receiving Rolvedon, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have a sickle cell disorder
have kidney problems
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if this medicine passes into your breast milk.

What other drugs will affect Rolvedon?

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How will I receive Rolvedon?

Rolvedon is given as an injection under your skin (subcutaneous injection) by a healthcare provider.
You will receive one injection for each cycle of chemotherapy.
You will receive your injection about 24 hours after you finish receiving your chemotherapy.
You should not receive Rolvedon for 14 days before or within 24 hours after your dose of chemotherapy.
If you miss a dose, talk to your healthcare provider about when you should receive your next dose.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy:

13.2 mg administered subcutaneously once per chemotherapy cycle.

- Notes: Administer approximately 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy. Do not administer within the period from 14 days before to 24 hours after administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy.

- Use: to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in adult patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia.

Rolvedon side effects

Rolvedon may cause serious side effects, including:

Spleen rupture. Your spleen may become enlarged and can rupture. A ruptured spleen can cause death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have pain in the left upper stomach-area or your left shoulder.

A serious lung problem called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Call your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you have shortness of breath with or without a fever, trouble breathing, or a fast rate of breathing.

Serious allergic reactions. Rolvedon can cause serious allergic reactions. These reactions can cause a rash all over your whole body, shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, swelling around your mouth or eyes, fast heart rate, and sweating. If you have any of these symptoms call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away.

Sickle cell crises. You may have a serious sickle cell crisis, which could lead to death, if you have a sickle cell disorder and receive Rolvedon. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop symptoms of sickle cell crisis such as pain or difficulty breathing.

Kidney injury (glomerulonephritis). Rolvedon can cause kidney injury. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms:

swelling of your face or ankles
blood in your urine or dark colored urine
you urinate less than usual

Increased white blood cell count (leukocytosis). Your healthcare provider will check your blood count during treatment.

Decreased platelet count (thrombocytopenia). Your healthcare provider will check your blood during treatment. This could be a sign of decreased platelet counts, which may reduce the ability of your blood to clot.

Capillary Leak Syndrome. Rolvedon can cause fluid to leak from blood vessels into your body’s tissues. This condition is called “Capillary Leak Syndrome” (CLS). CLS can quickly cause you to have symptoms that may become life-threatening. Get emergency help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms:

swelling or puffiness and are urinating less than usual
trouble breathing
swelling of your stomach area (abdomen) and feeling of fullness
dizziness or feeling faint
a general feeling of tiredness

Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. If you have breast cancer or lung cancer, when Rolvedon is used with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or with radiation therapy alone, you may have an increased risk of developing a precancerous blood condition called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or a blood cancer called acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Symptoms of MDS and AML may include tiredness, fever, and easy bruising or bleeding. Call your healthcare provider if you develop these symptoms during treatment.

Inflammation of the aorta (aortitis). Inflammation of the aorta (the large blood vessel which transports blood from the heart to the body) has been reported in patients who received pegfilgrastim products. Symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, feeling tired, and back pain. Call your healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms.

The most common side effects include:

tiredness
nausea
diarrhea
bone pain
headache
fever
decreased red blood cell count
rash
muscle and joint pain
back pain

These are not all the possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of Rolvedon.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in Rolvedon?

Active ingredient: eflapegrastim-xnst
Inactive ingredients: citric acid monohydrate, mannitol, polysorbate 80, sodium chloride in Water for Injection. Sodium hydroxide may be used to adjust pH to 5.5 during manufacturing.