SARGRAMOSTIM - INJECTION (Leukine) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

SARGRAMOSTIM-INJECTION Index

sargramostim - injection, Leukine

GENERIC NAME: SARGRAMOSTIM - INJECTION (sarr-GRAM-oh-stim)

BRAND NAME(S): Leukine

USES: This medication is given to those whose ability to make white blood cells has been reduced. This medication stimulates the blood system (bone marrow) to make white blood cells, which help your body fight infections. Sargramostim (also known as GM-CSF, or granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor) is a man-made version of a certain natural substance found in the body that also stimulates the bone marrow to make white blood cells. It is produced using a certain yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

HOW TO USE: Do not shake this medication. Doing so may make the drug ineffective.Follow your doctor's directions exactly. This medication is given by infusion into a vein (IV) or by injection under the skin by a health care professional, usually once a day until the proper blood counts are reached. Dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, lab results, and response to treatment.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.When injecting under the skin, a new injection site should be chosen for each dose. This will help prevent soreness. Never inject sargramostim into skin that is tender, red, bruised, or hard or has scars or stretch marks.If you are receiving chemotherapy for cancer, you should not be given sargramostim at the same time. You should receive sargramostim either before or after the chemotherapy, depending on your blood count results and your doctor's directions.