Leukine

Generic name:sargramostim [ sar-GRA-moe-stim ]
Drug class:Colony stimulating factors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 5, 2021.

What is Leukine?

Leukine is a man-made form of a protein that stimulates the growth of white blood cells in your body. White blood cells help your body fight against infection.

Leukine is used in adults and children who are at least 2 years old, to help prevent serious infection in conditions such as leukemia, bone marrow transplant, and pre-chemotherapy blood cell collection.

Leukine is also used to lower the risk of death from bone marrow suppression after exposure to radiation in adults and children as young as newborns.

Warnings

Do not use Leukine within 24 hours before you receive chemotherapy or radiation, or within 24 hours after chemotherapy.

Before you receive Leukine, tell your doctor if you have fluid retention (especially around your lungs), heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, bone marrow cancer, a seizure disorder, liver or kidney disease, or a breathing disorder such as COPD or asthma.

Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, short of breath, or have a fast heartbeat, chest tightness, or trouble breathing when you inject Leukine.

Call your doctor at once if you have any other serious side effects such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, mouth sores, easy bruising or bleeding, and swelling or rapid weight gain.

Using Leukine may increase your risk of developing other cancers. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Leukine if you are allergic to sargramostim, filgrastim, or yeast.

Leukine may contain an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young or low birth-weight babies. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease;

• lung disease;

• an allergy to benzyl alcohol; or

• a buildup of fluid around your lungs (also called pleural effusion).

Using Leukine may increase your risk of tumor growth or blood cancers. Ask your doctor about these risks.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using sargramostim and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

How should I use Leukine?

Leukine is injected under the skin, or given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

When injected into a vein, the infusion may take up to 24 hours to complete.

Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would ...