A Medication Use Evaluation of Adverse Events Associated with Colony-Stimulating Factor Therapy

Abstract

A retrospective medication use evaluation (MUE) was used to determine the comparative incidence of adverse events in patients treated with colony-stimulating factors (CSFs). CSFs are high-cost, high-volume medications in our practice setting, and the incidence of side effects is an important factor that influences our physicians when they choose a CSF. Data collection elements were selected by key pre-scribers, and the MUE was conducted under the authority of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. The medical records of 30 patients treated with sargramostim and 30 patients treated with filgrastim were reviewed by a pharmacist. The incidence and severity of adverse events and selected clinical outcomes were found to be similar in the two groups. It was concluded that differences in adverse event profiles should not be used to differentiate CSFs. The MUE results were used to educate physicians regarding the differences and similarities of CSFs and to encourage use of the preferred agent, sargramostim.