Becaplermin

Becaplermin is used for:

Healing skin ulcers of the lower legs or feet caused by diabetes. It is used in combination with proper wound care.

Becaplermin is a wound-healing agent. It works by helping the body to form cells involved in wound healing and tissue growth.

Do NOT use Becaplermin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Becaplermin
• you have a cancerous growth or tumor at the site where Becaplermin is to be applied

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Becaplermin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Becaplermin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of cancer

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Becaplermin . Because little, if any, of Becaplermin is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

Ask your health care provider if Becaplermin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Becaplermin :

Use Becaplermin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Wash hands thoroughly before applying.
• Make sure the tip of the tube does not touch the ulcer or any other surface. Replace cap on tube tightly after each use.
• Apply medicine with a tongue depressor, cotton swab, or other application aid.
• Squeeze the doctor-recommended length of gel onto a clean, firm, nonabsorbent surface, such as wax paper. Spread the measured gel over the ulcer surface evenly with the application aid. Cover with a saline-moistened gauze dressing that only covers the wound, not the surrounding healthy skin. Wrap a gauze bandage over the dressing.
• After 12 hours, gently rinse the ulcer with saline or water to remove remaining gel. Cover with saline-moistened gauze dressing.
• Do not use any other creams, gels, or ointments at the site of the wound.
• If you miss a dose of Becaplermin , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Becaplermin .

Important safety information:

• Becaplermin is for external use only. Do not get Becaplermin in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• It may take several weeks for Becaplermin to work. Do not stop using Becaplermin without checking with your doctor.
• Becaplermin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 16 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Becaplermin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Becaplermin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Becaplermin , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Becaplermin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. When used in small doses, no COMMON side effects have been reported with Becaplermin . Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Becaplermin may be harmful if swallowed.

Store Becaplermin in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze. Do not use the gel after the expiration date at the bottom of the tube. Keep Becaplermin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Becaplermin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Becaplermin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Becaplermin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.