Your doctor has ordered the drug aldesleukin to help treat your illness. The drug is given by injection into a vein or under the skin.
metastatic renal cell cancer
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for information.
Aldesleukin is in a class of drugs known as cytokines. It is similar to a chemical which the body produces. Aldesleukin increases the body's ability to fight cancer. In addition, aldesleukin stimulates the body to produce other chemicals which increase the body's ability to fight cancer. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
Aldesleukin also is used to treat metastatic melanoma. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
nausea
vomiting
loss of appetite
tiredness
weakness
general feeling of being unwell (malaise)
headache
diarrhea
dry skin
constipation
confusion
changes in your mood
dizziness
changes in your vision, taste, or speech
muscle or bone aches
pains in the chest, abdomen, or back
weight gain
retaining water
pain or redness at the site of injection
mouth blistering
fatigue
unusual bruising or bleeding
bleeding from the rectum
extreme sleepiness or tiredness
difficulty breathing
wheezing
yellowing of the skin or eyes
problems with urinating
itching or red rash
fever
chills or shaking chills
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
The most common side effect of aldesleukin is a decrease in the number of blood cells. Your doctor may order tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected by the drug. Aldesleukin may change the amount of some minerals in your body. It also can change the amount of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will order tests to monitor the amount of minerals and sugar in your blood.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Last Reviewed - 09/01/2010
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.