Plerixafor (Mozobil) is a newly approved drug that is administered prior to bone marrow transplantation in adult patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or multiple myeloma. It is used in combination with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells for release into the peripheral bloodstream, increasing the number that can be collected during apheresis and stored for autologous transplantation. Increasing the number of cells that can be collected at one time decreases the number of times the patient must undergo apheresis.

Plerixafor is administered subcutaneously, and injection site reactions (mild-to-moderate redness, swelling, pain, bleeding, induration, paresthesia, pruritus, rash, inflammation, irritation, and urticaria) occur in one third of patients. Other commonly reported adverse effects are diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, headache, severe joint pain, dizziness, and vomiting.

Nurses administering plerixafor should confirm that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor has been administered once daily for the four preceding days. Plerixafor is dosed according to (actual) body weight (0.24 mg/kg) and the injection should be administered 11 hours prior to performing apheresis.

Genzyme Corporation. Mozobil (plerixafor injection), solution for subcutaneous use.http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2008/022311lbl.pdf; FDA approves drug that boosts stem cell yield for bone marrow transplants [press release]. FDA News 2008 Dec 18. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01929.html.