The basics
Sargramostin (brand name- Leukine) is an FDA-approved treatment for infection in people who have acute myelogenous leukemia (AML; a type of cancer of the white blood cells), in people who are undergoing blood stem cell transplantsor bone marrow transplants, and to prepare the blood for leukapheresis (a treatment in which certain blood cells are removed from the body and then returned to the body following chemotherapy).
Sargramostin falls in a class of colony-stimulating factors medications. It works by helping the body make more neutrophils and certain other blood cells.
Let us walk you through the key things you need to know about sargramostim.
How should I take sargramostim (leukine)?
Sargramostim is injected under the skin or into a vein slowly) over a period of 2 to 24 hours once daily by a nurse or doctor in amedical facility. The length of your treatment depends on the condition that you have and how well your body responds to the medication.
If you will be injecting sargramostim, inject the medication at about the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use sargramostim exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking treatment without talking to your doctor. You can help them by tracking your side effects in Ankr.
What are the side effects of sargramostim (leukine)?
Common side effects
- redness, swelling, bruising, itching or a lump in the area at the site of injection
- bone, joint, or muscle pain
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting (emesis)
- diarrhea (loose stools)
- stomach pain
- mucositis (Mouth sore)
- appetite loss (anorexia)
- hair Loss (alopecia)
- sweating
- hives
- skin rash
- itching
Serious side effects
- shortness of breath or fast breathing
- difficulty breathing
- wheezing
- dizziness (vertigo)
- swelling around the mouth, face, eyes, stomach, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- sudden weight gain
- chest pain
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- fainting (syncope)
- unusual bruising or purple markings under the skin
- unusual bleeding
- nosebleeds
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- decreased urination
Sargramostim may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
Use the free Ankr platform or Ankr app to track your symptoms.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before using sargramostim (Leukine)
- tell your doctor about your allergies
- tell your doctor about other intakes
- tell your doctor if you have or ever had any disease, srmptom, or treatment
While you are on sargramostim (Leukine)
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using sargramostim, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using sargramostim.
In case of an emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- fever
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- nausea
- headache
- rash
How should I safely storae and dispose of Sargramostim?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, away from sunlight, closed, and out of reach of children. Store sargramostim in the refrigerator. Do not freeze or shake sargramostim. Keep open sargramostim vials in the refrigerator for up to 20 days. Dispose of opened vials after 20 days.
You should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Brand names
- Leukine®
Other names
- Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
- GM-CSF
Last Revised – 12/23/2023, FDA updated-08/21/2023, SG
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