Leukine (sargramostim) is a man-made form of a protein that stimulates the growth of white blood cells in your body. White blood cells help your body fight against infection.
Leukine is used to increase white blood cells and help prevent serious infection in conditions such as leukemia, bone marrow transplant, and pre-chemotherapy blood cell collection. Leukine is for use in adults who are at least 55 years old.
Leukine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Leukine if you are allergic to sargramostim or to yeast. Leukine should not be used within 24 hours before or after you receive chemotherapy or radiation.
Before you receive Leukine, tell your doctor if you have fluid retention (especially around your lungs), heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, bone marrow cancer, a seizure disorder, liver or kidney disease, or a breathing disorder such as COPD or asthma.
Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, short of breath, or have a fast heartbeat, chest tightness, or trouble breathing when you inject Leukine.
Call your doctor at once if you have any other serious side effects such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, mouth sores, easy bruising or bleeding, and swelling or rapid weight gain.
Using Leukine may increase your risk of developing other cancers. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.
Before using Leukine
You should not use Leukine if you are allergic to sargramostim or to yeast. Leukine should not be used within 24 hours before or after you receive chemotherapy or radiation.
To make sure you can safely use Leukine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
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fluid retention;
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a buildup of fluid around your lungs (also called pleural effusion);
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bone marrow cancer;
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heart disease, high blood pressure; congestive heart failure;
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epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
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liver or kidney disease; or
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asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing problems.
Using Leukine may increase your risk of developing other cancers. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Leukine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether sargramostim passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Leukine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How should I use Leukine?
Use Leukine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Leukine should not be used within 24 hours before or after you receive chemotherapy or radiation.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Leukine is injected into a vein or under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, syringes, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
When injected into a vein, Leukine must be given slowly. The IV infusion can take up to 24 hours to complete.
Use a different place on your stomach, thigh, or upper arm each time you give the injection under the skin. Just before you give the injection, apply an ice pack to the skin for one minute. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Leukine powder must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.
Do not shake the mixed medicine or it may foam. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
To be sure Leukine is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Leukine. Your liver function will also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store the liquid medicine in the refrigerator, do not freeze. Protect from light. You may take the medicine out and allow it to reach room temperature before measuring your dose in a syringe. Then return the medicine to the refrigerator. Throw away any unused liquid after 20 days. After mixing Leukine powder with a diluent, store in the refrigerator and use it within 6 hours. Do not freeze. Protect from light. If you have mixed the powder with bacteriostatic water, you may store this mixture in the refrigerator for up to 20 days.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of Leukine.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, weakness, headache, fever, chills, skin rash, fast heart rate, or trouble breathing.
What should I avoid?
Follow your doctor"s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Leukine side effects
Some people receiving a Leukine injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, short of breath, or have a fast heartbeat, chest tightness, or trouble breathing during the injection. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Leukine: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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high fever, chills, sore throat, stuffy nose, flu symptoms;
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white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
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easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
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swelling, rapid weight gain;
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chest pain, fast or uneven heart rate;
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weakness or fainting;
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black, bloody, or tarry stools;
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coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
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painful or difficult urination;
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dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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breathing problems; or
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problems with vision, speech, balance, or memory.
Less serious Leukine side effects may include:
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nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
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tired feeling;
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hair loss;
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weight loss;
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headache;
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mild skin rash or itching;
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bone pain;
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joint or muscle pain; or
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redness, swelling, or irritation where the injection was given.
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.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Leukine?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
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lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); or
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a steroid such as prednisone (Meticorten, Sterapred), methylprednisolone (Medrol), dexamethasone (Decadron), and others.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Leukine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
