Aldesleukin (interleukin 2) is a cancer (chemotherapeutic) medication. Aldesleukin increases
certain immunological processes in the body that cause decreased growth of some types of cancer
cells.
Aldesleukin is used in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (metastatic RCC), a type
of kidney cancer) and metastatic melanoma.
Aldesleukin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking aldesleukin?
Do not take aldesleukin without first talking to your doctor if you have:
heart disease such as irregular heartbeats, angina (chest pain), or
history of heart attack;
lung or breathing problems;
kidney disease;
liver disease;
seizure disorder;
an infection;
an organ transplant;
central nervous system (CNS) impairment; or
an autoimmune or inflammatory disorder such as Crohn's
disease, scleroderma, thyroid disease or thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, myasthenia
gravis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and others.
You may not be able to take aldesleukin, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Aldesleukin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it
will be harmful to an unborn baby.
Do not
use aldesleukin without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether aldesleukin passes into breast milk.
Do not
take
aldesleukin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take aldesleukin?
Aldesleukin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider
experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Aldesleukin is administered by intravenous (into a vein) injection.
Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with aldesleukin
depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any
questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical
evaluations during treatment with aldesleukin to monitor progress and side effects.
Store vials of lyophilized aldesleukin in the refrigerator. Protect the vials from light and store
them in a carton until time of use. Reconstituted or diluted aldesleukin is stable for up to 48 hours at
refrigerated and room temperatures, 2 to 25C (36 to 77F). However, since this product contains no
preservative, the reconstituted and diluted solutions should be stored in the refrigerator. Do not use any
aldesleukin products beyond the expiration date printed on the vial.
What happens if I miss a dose of aldesleukin?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of aldesleukin.
Where can I get more information about aldesleukin?
Your pharmacist has information about aldesleukin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of aldesleukin?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects from aldesleukin, contact your doctor
immediately:
an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
decreased bone marrow function or blood problems
(extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or
infection);
capillary leak syndrome (leaking of blood plasma and fluid
from the blood vessels), a condition that may lead to heart attack, severe breathing difficulties,
stomach bleeding, kidney problems, and death;
mood or behavior changes such as irritability, confusion,
agitation, or hallucinations;
problems with speech, walking, or coordination;
severe drowsiness;
seizures;
difficulty breathing or unusual breath sounds;
abdominal pain or swelling;
swelling or fluid retention;
fainting or irregular heart beats;
severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
rash; or
new or worsening symptoms of an autoimmune or
inflammatory condition.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking
aldesleukin and talk to your doctor if you experience:
tiredness or weakness; or
diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about aldesleukin?
Aldesleukin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider
experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Serious side effects have been reported with the use of aldesleukin including: allergic reactions
(difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone
marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry
stools; fever or chills; or infection); capillary leak syndrome, a condition that may lead to heart attack,
severe breathing difficulties, stomach bleeding, kidney problems, and death; severe nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, and loss of appetite; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from
treatment with aldesleukin.
What should I avoid while taking aldesleukin?
Do not have x-rays that involve the use of contrast media (dye) without first talking to your
doctor. There may be an increased risk of an allergic reaction to the dye during and for a time following
treatment with aldesleukin.
Aldesleukin may interact with other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants,
antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, muscle relaxants, and others.
Dangerous drowsiness may occur if aldesleukin is taken with any of these medications. Talk to your
doctor before taking aldesleukin in combination with any other prescription or over-the-counter
medicines.
What other drugs will affect aldesleukin?
Do not have x-rays that involve the use of contrast media (dye) without first talking to your
doctor. There may be an increased risk of an allergic reaction to the dye during and for a time following
treatment with aldesleukin.
Aldesleukin may interact with other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants,
antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, muscle relaxants, and others.
Dangerous drowsiness may occur if aldesleukin is taken with any of these medications. Talk to your
doctor before taking aldesleukin in combination with any other prescription or over-the-counter
medicines.
Side effects from aldesleukin may be increased by other medications that affect the kidneys,
liver, heart, or other organ systems. Severe or irreversible reactions may occur. Do not take any other
prescription or over-the-counter medications, including herbal or alternative medicine products, during
treatment with aldesleukin without first talking to your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of aldesleukin?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
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warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
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given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009