Aldesleukin (Intravenous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 19, 2022.
Therapy should be restricted to patients with normal cardiac and pulmonary functions as defined by thallium stress testing and formal pulmonary function testing. Administration has been associated with capillary leak syndrome, which may be severe and can result in death. Treatment is also associated with impaired neutrophil function (reduced chemotaxis) and with an increased risk of disseminated infection, including sepsis and bacterial endocarditis. Administration should be withheld in patients developing moderate to severe lethargy or somnolence; continued administration may result in coma .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Proleukin
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Interleukin
Uses for aldesleukin
Aldesleukin injection is anticancer medicine that is used to treat metastatic kidney cancer (cancer that has already spread to the body) and metastatic skin cancer.
Aldesleukin is a man-made version of a substance called interleukin-2. Interleukins are produced naturally by cells in the body to help white blood cells work.
Aldesleukin causes very serious side effects in addition to its helpful effects. Some effects can be fatal. For that reason, aldesleukin injection is given only in the hospital. If severe side effects occur, which is common, treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU) may be necessary. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern. Before you begin treatment with aldesleukin, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits aldesleukin will do as well as the risks of using it.
Aldesleukin is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Before using aldesleukin
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For aldesleukin, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to aldesleukin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of aldesleukin injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of aldesleukin injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have shortness of breath or troubled breathing and age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving aldesleukin injection.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medic..
