Aldesleukin Injection

What is this medication?

ALDESLEUKIN (al des LOO kin) treats kidney cancer and skin cancer. It works by helping your immune system slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Proleukin

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Autoimmune conditions, such as Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, lupus
• Having or recent CT, MRI, or X-ray
• Heart disease
• Heart failure
• Immune system problems
• Infection
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Lung disease
• Nervous system conditions, such as dementia, Guillain-Barre syndrome, loss of balance, myasthenia gravis, seizures, trouble speaking
• Organ transplant
• An unusual or allergic reaction to aldesleukin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is infused into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What may interact with this medication?

• Aspirin and aspirin-like medications
• Certain contrast agents used before CT, MRI, or X-ray scans
• Certain medications for infection, such as acyclovir, adefovir, amphotericin B, bacitracin, cidofovir, foscarnet, ganciclovir, gentamicin, pentamidine, vancomycin
• Cisplatin
• Cyclosporine
• Diuretics
• Medications for blood pressure
• NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Pamidronate
• Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
• Zoledronic acid

This medication may affect how other medications work. Talk with your care team about all of the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you have side effects unless your care team tells you to stop.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.

Serious side effects may occur during the infusion of this medication. To reduce the risk, your care team may give you medications to take before the infusion. Follow the directions from your care team.

If you are going to need a CT, MRI, or X-ray, tell your care team that you have received this medication. To make parts of the body easier to view during your scan, your care team may need to give you a contrast agent. Contrast agents that contain iodine may cause serious adverse reactions in people who have received this medication. This can occur while taking this medication and and for several months after your last dose.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

Avoid taking medications that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever.

Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. Serious birth defects can occur if you take this medication during pregnancy. You will need a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you.

Do not breastfeed while taking this medication.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
• Capillary leak syndrome—stomach or muscle pain, unusual weakness or fatigue, feeling faint or lightheaded, decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet, trouble breathing
• Falling asleep during daily activities
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
• Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Mood and behavior changes - anxiety, nervousness, irritability and restlessness, confusion, hallucinations, feeling distrust or suspicion of others
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet, muscle weakness, change in vision, confusion or trouble speaking, loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, seizures
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Severe or prolonged diarrhea
• Unusual weakness or fatigue

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Nausea
• Pain, redness, or swelling with sores inside the mouth or throat
• Skin rash
• Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.