SARGRAMOSTIM

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Leukine

Description: Sargramostim, a hematopoietic agent that increases the production of white blood cells (WBC) by stimulating its growth by being a man-made granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Effective 1 to 3 hours after injection of the drug

Elimination: Removal from the body starts 60 minutes after injection.

Uses

Indications:

Use after chemotherapy in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
Use after transplantation of Autologous Peripheral Blood Progenitor cells and bone marrow transplantation.
Use in bone marrow transplantation failure or engraftment delay.

Contraindications:

Not given to patients with:

excessive leukemic myeloid blasts in the bone marrow or peripheral blood ( ≥ 10%);
in patients with known hypersensitivity to GM-CSF, yeast derived products or any component of the product;
for concomitant use with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

How to use sargramostim injection:

This medication is given by infusion into a vein (IV) or by injection under the skin as directed by your doctor, usually once a day until the proper blood counts are reached.
Use the exact amount of drug prescribed by your doctor. If you use less than the prescribed amount, your body may not produce enough white blood cells to protect your body against infections. If you use more than the prescribed amount, your body may produce too many white blood cells.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.

Availability: This is a prescription only drug.

Warnings

Reported to have been associated with “Gasping syndrome” in infants because of benzyl alcohol, an ingredient of this drug.
This drug should be used with caution in patients with preexisting fluid retention, pulmonary infiltrates or congestive heart failure because this drug may worsen those conditions.
This drug should be used with caution in patients with preexisting cardiac arrhythmias.

Side Effects

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

It is advised to consult your doctor or pharmacist when any of these side effect manifest.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

chest pain,
sudden weight gain,
swelling of the hands/feet,
shortness of breath,
black stools,
persistent stomach/abdominal pain,
vomit that looks like coffee grounds,
fast/irregular heartbeat,
vision problems,
a sudden reddening of the face/neck/chest,
severe dizziness,
fainting

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

rash,
itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat),
severe dizziness,
trouble breathing.

Aching in the bones and muscles, chills, or headache may occur. Taking a non-aspirinpain reliever such as acetaminophen may help. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions

General:

If you are scheduled to have radiation therapy, tell your doctor you are taking sargramostim. This medication should not be given during the time you are receiving radiation therapy.

This drug should only be given by medical practitioner.

Allergy: Before using sargramostim, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other medications made in a similar manner (man-made proteins using Saccharomyces cerevisiae); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as benzyl alcohol), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Medical history: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you had these conditions: fluid retention, lung problems, heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure-CHF, rhythm problems), liver disease, kidney disease, other blood disorders(e.g., myeloid cancers), current chemotherapy.

Pregnancy Risk: Category C- Risk cannot be ruled out. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Breastfeeding: It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor beforebreast-feeding.

Interactions

Some products that may interact with this drug include: corticosteroids (e.g.,prednisone), lithium.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: shortness of breath, unusual weakness, fast heartbeat.

Notes

This medication must be taken under close medical supervision so your blood counts can be monitored. Keep all medical appointments. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood counts, platelet counts, liver function, kidney function, body weight, fluid status) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Do not freeze. After mixing, use within time period indicated in the product instructions or consult your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Brands:

There are no brands containing this molecule.