What is Sargramostim?
Sargramostim is a human-made version of a protein that helps stimulate the expansion of the white blood cells within your body. White blood cells can help the body fight off infections.Sargramostim is prescribed to adults and young children who are at least 2 years old. It is used to keep infections from becoming serious in cases like leukemia, bone marrow transplants, and pre-chemotherapy blood cell collection.
Sargramostim can also be utilized to reduce the risk of dying due to bone marrow loss after exposure to radiation for adults as well as babies as young assargramostim could be used for other purposes that are not covered in this guide.
Side effects of Sargramostim
See a doctor immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you notice symptoms or warning signs of an allergic response, such as symptoms of hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue.
There are some side effects that can happen after the injection. Inform your doctor that you are feeling dizzy and sweaty, nauseated or lightheaded, feel exhausted, feel tightness in your chest, or have rapid heartbeats.
The condition is known as capillary leak syndrome. It's a very rare but very serious adverse effect of the drug sargramostim. Contact your physician immediately when you notice signs of this condition, such as nasal congestion or runny nose, fatigue and thirst, a decrease in urine output, breathing difficulties, and rapid weight gain or swelling.
Sargramostim may cause serious side effects. Consult your physician immediately if you experience:
- Discomfort when you breathe or feel short of breath when lying down;
- Chest pain or pressure
- Heartbeats that are slow or fast
- Burning or pain after you urinate;
- Easily bleeding, unusual bruising spots of red or purple under your skin
- High blood pressure, severe headache blurred vision; tension in your neck and the ears; stress, nosebleeds,
- Issues with the liver: loss of appetite, abdominal pain (upper right side), fatigue, itching, dark urine, stools that are clay-colored, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
Your doses of sargramostim could be delayed or discontinued permanently in the event of specific adverse reactions.
Common adverse effects of sargramostim could include:
- Breathing issues, swelling, and swelling
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea;
- Loss of appetite appetite loss, weight gain;
- Problems with urination;
- Fever and weakness. Not feeling well.
- Mouth sores;
- Migraine, high blood pressure;
- Numbness, tingling, rash, itching;
- Hair loss;
- Blood tests that are abnormal.
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Other effects may also be present. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar or related drugs
Fluconazole, Diflucan, Cisplatin, Neulasta, Filgrastim, Promacta, and Zarxio
Warnings
Avoid using sargramostim for the first 24 hours prior to the time you receive radiation or chemotherapy, or within 24 hours following chemotherapy.
Prior to use this drug
It is not recommended to use Sargramostim if you have an allergy to Sargramostim filgrastim or yeast.Sargramostim could contain an ingredient that may result in serious side effects or even death in infants or babies with low birth weight. Don't give the medication to your child without medical advice.
Consult your physician in the event that you experience:
- Heart disease;
- Lung disease;
- An intolerance to the benzyl alcohol an allergy to benzyl alcohol
- An accumulation of fluid around the lungs (also called an pleural effusion)
The use of sargramostim could increase your risk of developing tumor growth or blood cancer. Talk to your doctor about these potential risks.
There isn't any way to determine if the medication can affect a baby's development.Inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant.Breastfeeding is not advised when you are taking sargramostim. You should do this for at least two weeks following the last dose.
How to take Sargramostim?
The doctor will conduct tests on your blood to confirm that you don't have any issues that could make it unsafe to use Sargramostim.
Sargramostim is injected into the skin or into a vein. The healthcare provider will provide the first dose and instruct you on how to use the medication on your own.If injected into veins, the infusion can take up to 24 hours to finish.Follow and carefully read any instructions that are included with your medication. Don't use sargramostim if you aren't sure of the instructions for its proper use. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor If you have any concerns.Do not shake this medication. Only prepare the injection when you are ready to administer it. Avoid using it when the medication is changing color or has particles. Consult your pharmacist about new medications.
Your physician will guide you to the most suitable locations in your body where you can inject sargramostim beneath the skin. You should choose a different location every time you administer an injection. Make sure you don't inject in the same spot twice in the same row.
Sargramostim doses are determined based on the body's surface area (height as well as weight). The dose you require could change as you lose or gain weight, or if you're still expanding.You might require regular medical tests to aid your doctor in determining the length of time you will be treated with Sargramostim.Keep sargramostim in its original container within the fridge. Avoid freezing, and don't shake. Throw the vial (bottle) in the trash in the first 20 days after use, even if there's medicine in it.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Contact your doctor for advice when you have missed a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact for help at the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222.
The symptoms of an overdose may include weakness, nausea, headaches, chills, fever, skin eruptions, a fast heart rate, or breathing difficulties.
What should be avoided?
Follow the doctor's advice regarding any limitations on foods, drinks, or any activity.
Interaction with other drugs
If you also have chemotherapy or radiation, don't take sargramostim for 24 hours prior to receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy and for 24 hours after receiving chemotherapy.
Other medications can affect the sargramostim drug, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your physician about the medicines you are currently taking and any medication you begin or stop taking.
