Sargramostim
Description
Sargramostim is a human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analog. It stimulates the growth of white blood cells and helps in decreasing the chances of infection in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy procedures for cancer. Patients with blood disorders are advised not to use this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Sargramostim
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Skin Rash
- Blurred vision
- Unusual weight gain or loss
- Chest pain
- Increased hunger
- Increased thirst
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
Uses of Sargramostim
What is it prescribed for?
- Neutropenia caused by chemotherapy
- Bone Marrow Transplantation
- Peripheral Progenitor Cell Transplantation
- Acute Radiation Syndrome
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Sargramostim or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
This medicine is contraindicated in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia with >10% leukemic myeloid blasts in bone marrow or peripheral blood due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Chemotherapy or Radiation therapy
This medicine is not recommended for use before 24 hours of the last chemotherapy or radiation therapy due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Severe allergic reactions
This medicine may cause severe allergic reactions and injection site reactions. In case of any such reactions, treatment should be discontinued and appropriate medical therapy should be instituted immediately.
Autoimmunity
Use of this medicine can develop different auto-antibodies in the body which may lead to various autoimmune disorders. Close monitoring of adverse effects and short-term treatment with this medicine is recommended.
Cardiovasular effects
Use of this medicine may cause cardiovascular effects like irregular heart rhythm. Hence, caution is advised in patients with cardiac abnormalities to avoid such interactions. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of cardiac function is recommended. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Leukocytosis
Use of this medicine can develop Leukocytosis, which is increased white blood cell count ≥50,000/mm3. In such cases, your doctor may advise you to discontinue the therapy or may reduce the dose based on the clinical condition. Monitoring of the blood cell count is necessary while receiving this medicine.
Capillary leak syndrome
Use of this medicine may cause fluid retention which manifests as edema, capillary leak syndrome, pleural and/or pericardial effusion. Caution should be exercised in patients with preexisting pleural and pericardial effusions. Monitoring of body weight and hydration status is recommended during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Fluorouracil
Doxorubicin
Cisplatin
Vincristine
Disease interactions
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney dysfunction due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Report to your doctor, if you experience any symptoms such as swelling of ankles and face, blood in the urine, dark colored urine, or decreased urine output, etc. Close monitoring of kidney function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Myeloid Tumors
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with Myeloid tumors due to the increased risk of tumor growth. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine. An alternative treatment option may be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Leukocytosis
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with Leukocytosis due to the increased risk of excessive white blood cell count. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver dysfunction due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Regular monitoring of the liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Respiratory disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with respiratory disorder since it may worsen the condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of pulmonary function is recommended. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Cardiac Toxicity
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with cardiac rhythm abnormalities, congestive heart failure, and fluid retention since it may worsen the condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of cardiac function is recommended. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Continuous evaluation of blood cell count, platelet count, liver function, kidney function, and cardiac function is recommended in patients undergoing this therapy.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by promoting the formation of new white blood cells and improves immunity.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Colony stimulating factors
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 28 December 2018]. Available from:
Sargramostim - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 28 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 28 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 1 Feb 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.