Have you or someone you know ever had to undergo treatment for a serious illness like cancer? You may have heard that when undergoing such treatment, especially chemotherapy, the number of our body's disease-fighting soldiers, namely white blood cells, decreases. Due to this decrease in white blood cells, any infection can easily develop. So, in such cases, we are talking about a special vaccine that stimulates our body's bone marrow and helps to rebuild these fighting soldiers.
What is Sargramostim (GM-CSF)?
Simply put, Sargramostim is a man-made protein. To be precise, it is similar to a substance that our bodies naturally produce called `granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Think of our bone marrow as a blood cell factory. This drug signals this factory to make more white blood cells, especially neutrophils , a type of blood cell that fights infection. It is also known by the brand name `Leukine`.
This medicine is like special training to recruit new soldiers to our body's defense forces (immune system), which have been weakened by cancer treatment.
What are the uses of this medicine?
Doctors recommend this medicine for several different reasons.
- After Bone Marrow Transplantation: After a bone marrow transplant, accelerate the production of white blood cells from the new bone marrow.
- When a bone marrow transplant fails: Sometimes the cells don't grow after the transplant. In such cases, this medicine helps.
- Before and after stem-cell transplant: Restore white blood cell levels in stem cell transplant patients.
- After cancer treatment: Increase white blood cell count after chemotherapy for blood cancers such as acute myelogenous leukemia, especially in elderly patients.
- After exposure to high radiation: To improve the chances of survival of someone who has been suddenly exposed to high-dose radiation that damages the bone marrow.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. So be sure to tell them about the following:
- If you have heart disease .
- If you have breathing difficulties such as lung disease or asthma .
- If you have allergies to Sargramostim, yeast products , benzyl alcohol, other medications, foods, preservatives, or dyes.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a nursing mother .
How to use the medicine and things to be careful about
This medicine is given as an injection under the skin or into a vein. It is usually given by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic. However, sometimes you may need to give yourself the injection at home. If this happens, you will be taught the correct way to do it.
Very important: Never throw used needles and syringes in the regular trash. They should be placed in a specially designated sharps container . If you don't have one, ask your doctor how to get one.
What if I take too much medicine? What if I miss a dose?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
It is not a good idea to miss a dose of medication. If this happens, do not panic and call your doctor for advice.
Possible side effects when taking the medicine
Like any medicine, Sargramostim can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common. It is important to be aware of these.
| Side effects and symptoms |
|---|
| Things to report to your doctor immediately |
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| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) |
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Interactions with other medications
Some medications may interact with this medicine. For example, lithium or steroids such as prednisone and cortisone. Therefore, give your doctor a complete list of all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements). Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
How to store the medicine?
- Keep away from children.
- Store in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (2 to 8 degrees C). Do not store in the refrigerator door , it is best to keep it on an inside shelf.
- Never store in the freezer. If the medicine freezes, it will be unusable.
- Throw away unused medicine after 20 days.
If you have any further questions about this medication, don't keep them to yourself. Talk to your doctor openly about it and clear all your doubts.
Take-Home Message
- Sargramostim (GM-CSF) is a vaccine that helps restore the number of white blood cells (especially neutrophils) that have been depleted due to factors such as cancer treatment.
- Before starting this treatment, it is very important to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have, allergies, and all other medications you are taking.
- Never throw used needles in the regular trash. Use a special container (sharps container) for this purpose.
- If you experience symptoms such as sudden body aches, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, or body swelling, seek medical advice immediately .
- Never hesitate to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding your treatment with your doctor.
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