Type of medicine: granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor
Generic and brand names: sargramostim, injection; GM-CSF; Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor; Leukine
This medicine is used to raise white blood cell counts and decrease the risk of infection in people who need cancer treatments, bone marrow transplants, and stem cell transplants.
This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine is given by IV (slow drip into a large vein) or by injection under the skin.
You should not receive this medicine on the same day as you receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Your healthcare provider will determine the exact dosage. If your provider is giving you the medicine, keep all your appointments.
Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use each syringe and needle only once and dispose of them safely, following your healthcare provider's instructions.
Let the solution warm to room temperature before you use it. Before you give the injection, look at the solution in the vial closely. Do not use it if the solution is discolored or if it contains particles. Do not shake the solution before you withdraw a dose.
Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots.
Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots just under the skin:
If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.
If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: shortness of breath, nausea, fever, rash, fast heartbeat, headache, chills.
Rarely, this medicine may cause a reaction after the first dose. You may feel flushed, weak, dizzy, faint, or have a fast heartbeat. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine may cause a slight fever for 1 to 4 hours after a dose. If the fever continues or gets worse, contact your healthcare provider.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all your appointments for treatments and tests.
This medicine may cause mild bone pain. Talk with your healthcare provider about ways to lessen the pain.
Hair loss may occur during treatment. The hair will grow back after treatment is stopped.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): High fever; severe weakness; swelling in your hands or feet, or any unexplained swelling; irritation of the mouth; lightheadedness; dizziness; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; sore throat; chest pain.
Other: Irritation where the shot was given, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, hair loss, bone or muscle pain, low fever for 1 to 4 hours after the shot.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Throw away the liquid medicine 20 days after the first use.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
