Aldesleukin

What is Aldesleukin?

Aldesleukin is in a class of drugs known as cytokines. It is similar to a chemical which the body produces. Aldesleukin increases the body=s ability to fight cancer. In addition, aldesleukin stimulates the body to produce other chemicals which increase the body=s ability to fight cancer. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.

metastatic renal cell cancer

Side Effects

nausea

vomiting

loss of appetite

tiredness

weakness

general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

headache

diarrhea

dry skin

constipation

confusion

changes in your mood

dizziness

changes in your vision, taste, or speech

muscle or bone aches

pains in the chest, abdomen, or back

weight gain

retaining water

pain or redness at the site of injection

mouth blistering

fatigue

unusual bruising or bleeding

bleeding from the rectum

extreme sleepiness or tiredness

difficulty breathing

wheezing

yellowing of the skin or eyes

problems with urinating

itching or red rash

fever

chills or shaking chills

http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html

Precautions

Before taking aldesleukin,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to aldesleukin or any other drugs.

aspirin

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, or autoimmune disease.

women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should tell their doctors before they begin taking this drug. You should not plan to have children while receiving chemotherapy or for a while after treatments. (Talk to your doctor for further details.) Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy.

you should know that aldesleukin may make you more sensitive to contrast dyes which are given to improve the pictures taken from X-rays or other scans. Notify your doctor that you are taking aldesleukin.

do not have any vaccinations (e.g., measles or flu shots) without talking to your doctor.

Overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Miscellaneous

The most common side effect of aldesleukin is a decrease in the number of blood cells. Your doctor may order tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected by the drug. Aldesleukin may change the amount of some minerals in your body. It also can change the amount of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will order tests to monitor the amount of minerals and sugar in your blood.

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