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kepivance

Kepivance (Palifermin) is a mucocutaneous epithelial cell growth factor used to treat Mucositis.

Palifermin · by Biovitrum Ab

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 7, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass

Key facts

Active ingredient
Palifermin
Form
Injectable
Strength
Palifermin 60MCG/KG/DAY
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
May treat
mucositis
Manufacturer
Biovitrum Ab
FDA application
BLA125103

What is Kepivance?

From the FDA label:Kepivance (palifermin) is a truncated human KGF produced by recominant DNA technology in E coli . Kepivance is a water soluble, 140 amino acid protein with a molecular weight of 16.3 kilodaltons. It differs from endogenous human KGF in that the first 23 N terminal amino acids have been deleted to improve protein stability. Kepivance is supplied as a sterile, white, preservative-free, lyophilized powder for intravenous injection after reconstitution with 1.2 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP. Reconstitution yields a clear, colorless solution of Kepivance (5 mg/mL) with a pH of 6.5. Each single-dose vial of Kepivance contains palifermin (5.16 mg),with L histidine (1.60 mg), mannitol (41 mg), polysorbate 20 (0.11 mg or 0.01% w/v), and sucrose (21 mg).

How to use

Administer as an intravenous bolus injection at a dose of 60 mcg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days before and 3 consecutive days after myelotoxic therapy for a total of 6 doses ( 2.1 ) Administer the first 3 doses prior to myelotoxic therapy with the third dose 24 to 48 hours before myelotoxic therapy ( 2.1 ) Administer the last 3 doses after myelotoxic therapy is complete with the first of these doses on the day of hematopoietic stem cell infusion after the infusion is completed, and at least 7 days after the most recent administration of Kepivance ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Regimen The recommended dose of Kepivance is 60 mcg/kg/day, administered as an intravenous bolus injection for 3 consecutive days before and 3 consecutive days after myelotoxic therapy, for a total of 6 doses. The recommended dose of Kepivance is 60 mcg/kg/day, administered as an intravenous bolus injection for 3 consecutive days before and 3 consecutive days after myelotoxic therapy, for a total of 6 doses. Administer the first 3 doses prior to myelotoxic therapy. Administer the third dose 24 to 48 hours prior to beginning myelotoxic therapy Administer the first 3 doses prior to myelotoxic therapy. Administer the third dose 24 to 48 hours prior to beginning myelotoxic therapy [see Drug Interactions ( 7 )]. Administer the last 3 doses after myelotoxic therapy is complete; administer the first of these…

Side effects

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20% and 5%≥placebo) are rash, fever, elevated serum amylase, pruritus, erythema, and edema ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Swedish Orphan Biovitrum at 1-866-773-5274 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The data described in Table 1 and the discussion below reflect exposure to Kepivance in 409 patients with hematologic malignancies who were enrolled in 3 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials and a pharmacokinetic study. Patients received Kepivance either before, or before and after, regimens of myelotoxic chemotherapy, with or without total body irradiation (TBI), followed by hematopoietic stem cell support. Kepivance was administered in daily doses ranging from 5 to 80 mcg/kg/day. The total dose of Kepivance ranged from 15 to 480 mcg/kg with a median of 360 mcg/kg. The population had a median age of 48 years (range: 41 to 60 years), 62% were male and 83% were White with 7.4 % Black and 6.2 % Hispanic. Non Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was the most common malignancy followed by Hodgkin's disease,…

Warnings

Important safety information

Potential for stimulation of tumor growth — Kepivance is not indicated for non-hematologic tumors. The effects of Kepivance on stimulation of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) receptor-expressing, non-hematopoietic tumors in patients are not known ( 1 , 5.1 ) 5.1 Potential for Stimulation of Tumor Growth The safety and efficacy of Kepivance have not been established in patients with non-hematologic malignancies. The effects of Kepivance on stimulation of KGF receptor-expressing, non-hematopoietic tumors in patients are not known. Kepivance has been shown to enhance the growth of human epithelial tumor cell lines in vitro and to increase the rate of tumor cell line growth in a human carcinoma xenograft model [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )].

Who should not take Kepivance

None None

Interactions

In vitro and in vivo data showed that palifermin interacts with unfractionated as well as low molecular weight heparins with no noticeable effect on the pharmacodynamics of either drug. If heparin is used to maintain an intravenous line, rinse the line with saline prior to and after Kepivance administration [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Do not administer Kepivance within 24 hours before, during infusion of, or within 24 hours after administration of myelotoxic chemotherapy [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. In a clinical trial, administration of Kepivance within 24 hours of chemotherapy resulted in increased severity and duration of oral mucositis. Heparin increases systemic exposure; flush intravenous line between heparin and Kepivance. ( 7 ) Do not administer within 24 hours of myelotoxic chemotherapy. ( 7 , 14 )

Drug class

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

Dosage forms

Injectable

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

Ways to save

Ask for the generic

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Frequently asked questions

What does Kepivance treat?
Kepivance (Palifermin) may be used to treat mucositis, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
Is there a coupon or discount for Kepivance?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Kepivance. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Kepivance?
Kepivance is marketed by Biovitrum Ab. You can see Biovitrum Ab's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Kepivance a brand-name or generic drug?
Kepivance is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Palifermin.
Is Kepivance available over the counter?
No. Kepivance is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Kepivance come in?
Kepivance is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
What class of drug is Kepivance?
Kepivance is classified as mucocutaneous epithelial cell growth factor, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
Is Kepivance FDA-registered?
Kepivance is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number BLA125103. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Is Kepivance safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Kepivance. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Kepivance?
Kepivance's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20% and 5%≥placebo) are rash, fever, elevated serum amylase, pruritus, erythema, and edema ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Swedish Orphan Biovitrum at 1-866-773-5274 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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