What is Proleukin: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Proleukin

• Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

• Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Proleukin

Proleukin contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to aldesleukin or interleukin-2, or if you have severe heart, liver, kidney, nerve, lung, or stomach problems.

Proleukin warnings

• Injection routeIt is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, liver disease, Crohn disease, a thyroid disorder, low blood pressure, or diabetes. Tell your doctor if you have eye problems, gallbladder problems, high calcium, seizures, any infections, or an autoimmune disorder (such as arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma).

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Rarely, a life-threatening condition called capillary leak syndrome (CLS) could occur immediately after you receive this medicine. CLS can cause low blood pressure, so your doctor will monitor your blood pressure and pulse rate.

• Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches

• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

• Loss of appetite or stomach pain

• Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

• Trouble breathing

• Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

• Yellow skin or eyes

Proleukin interactions

• Some medicines can affect how aldesleukin works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following: AsparaginaseBlood pressure medicine, such as amlodipine, atenolol, clonidine, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), lisinopril, metoprolol, olmesartan, propranolol IndomethacinMethotrexateOther cancer medicine, such as cisplatin, dacarbazine, doxorubicin, interferon-alfa, tamoxifenSteroid medicine, such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone

• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Rarely, a life-threatening condition called capillary leak syndrome (CLS) could occur immediately after you receive this medicine. CLS can cause low blood pressure, so your doctor will monitor your blood pressure and pulse rate.

• Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.