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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
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| Contents of this page: | |
Your doctor has ordered sargramostim to help your bone marrow make new white blood cells. The drug will be either given subcutaneously (beneath your skin) or added to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter placed in your vein for 2 hours once a day for 14-21 days.
Sargramostim is a synthetic version of substances naturally produced by your body. It helps you to fight infections so you can receive your next chemotherapy cycle as scheduled.
Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how you respond to the medication.
Before administering sargramostim,
Before you administer sargramostim, look at the solution closely. It should be clear and free of floating material. Observe the solution container to make sure there are no leaks. Do not use the solution if it is discolored, if it contains particles, or if the container leaks. Use a new solution, but show the damaged one to your health care provider.
It is important that you use your medication exactly as directed. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Patients with severe anemia often feel very tired and weak. Most patients start to feel better about 6 weeks after starting sargramostim. Do not stop your therapy on your own for any reason because your ability to avoid blood transfusions could be hampered.
The most common side effect during sargramostim therapy is mild bone pain, usually in the lower back or pelvis and lasting only a few days. Another common side effect is a flu-like syndrome with fever, fatigue, chills, and muscle aches. Your doctor may recommend that you take acetaminophen or other painkillers.
Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:
Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand what you need to store your medication properly.
Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidental injury.
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.
If you are receiving sargramostim in your vein or under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of a catheter-related infection (an infection where the needle enters your vein or skin). If you experience any of these effects near your intravenous catheter, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:
Last Revised - 01/01/2003
The MedMaster™ Patient Drug Information database provides information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland Copyright© 2004. All Rights Reserved.
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Page last updated: 04 October 2004 |