About SARGRAMOSTIM
SARGRAMOSTIM belongs to the class of medications called colony-stimulating factors used to treat neutropenia, a deficiency of specific white blood cells caused by cancer, bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, or other diseases. SARGRAMOSTIM helps reduce the chance of infection in cancer patients and those receiving chemotherapy medicines. Neutropenia is a condition in which the quantity of neutrophils (white blood cells) in the blood is reduced.
SARGRAMOSTIM contains Sargramostim, a growth factor that stimulates the formation of white blood cells and helps reduce the chances of infection in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
A healthcare professional will administer SARGRAMOSTIM. Sometimes, you may experience injection site responses such as pain, redness, or swelling. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhoea, stomach pain, mouth sores, loss of appetite, hair loss and bone, joint, or muscle pain. Most of these side effects do not necessitate medical treatment and will gradually fade over time. However, if you suffer these side effects regularly, you should consult your doctor.
It is not suggested to use SARGRAMOSTIM in those who have had severe allergic responses, including anaphylaxis, to human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, yeast-derived products, or any component of SARGRAMOSTIM. To rule out any negative effects, keep your doctor informed about your medical condition and all medications you take. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are currently breastfeeding. Contact your doctor if you become pregnant while using SARGRAMOSTIM.
Uses of SARGRAMOSTIM
Neutropenia
Medicinal Benefits
SARGRAMOSTIM contains 'Sargramostim,' which is a growth factor. It belongs to the cytokine family of proteins and is extremely similar to a natural protein (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) produced by the body. SARGRAMOSTIM acts by encouraging the bone marrow to generate more white blood cells, aiding infection resistance. SARGRAMOSTIM is used to boost white blood cell count following cancer treatment or chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, severe persistent neutropenia, neutropenia in HIV patients, and before stem cell donation.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of SARGRAMOSTIM
- Injection site reactions
- Nausea
- Asthenia abnormal weakness
- Anorexia (loss of appetite)
- laboratory abnormalities
- stomatitis (painful swelling and sores inside the mouth)
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Mouth sores
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss
- Bone, joint, or muscle pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Extreme caution and special care should be taken while using SARGRAMOSTIM in patients with heart disorders, liver or renal dysfunction, leukocytosis (elevated white blood cell count), myeloproliferative disorder (blood cancers), pulmonary impairment, asphyxia (a condition of deficient supply of oxygen) and prematurity or underweight in infancy and respiratory symptoms. So, keep your doctor informed about your medical condition and all the medicines you are taking to rule out any side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: SARGRAMOSTIM may have interaction with medicines used for the treatment of beta-thalassemia (e.g. betibeglogene autotemcel)
Drug-Food Interactions: Limit or quit the consumption of alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: SARGRAMOSTIM may cause interactions with disease conditions such as arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat), congestive heart failure, liver or renal dysfunction, leukocytosis (elevated white blood cell count), myeloproliferative disorder (blood cancers caused by changes in the stem cells inside bone marrow), prematurity/underweight in infancy and respiratory symptoms.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown whether consuming alcohol with SARGRAMOSTIM is safe. However, as a precaution, it is best to avoid or limit alcohol consumption.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known if SARGRAMOSTIM will harm your unborn baby. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionYour doctor may advise you to discontinue the medicine or breastfeeding based on your medical condition.
Driving
cautionThe ability to drive or utilize machines is unaffected by SARGRAMOSTIM. However, do not drive or operate machinery if you feel sleepy or dizzy after taking your medicine.
Liver
cautionCaution should be exercised while using SARGRAMOSTIM in patients with hepatic dysfunction. Monitoring of patients with hepatic dysfunction is recommended.
Kidney
cautionCaution should be exercised while using SARGRAMOSTIM in patients with renal dysfunction. Monitoring of patients with renal dysfunction is recommended.
Children
safe if prescribedYour doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Consume a well-balanced and healthy food to aid in your recovery.
- Avoid eating processed food or frozen food.
- Consume antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, and so on.
- Flavonoid-rich foods aid in the reduction of inflammation. Soy, berries, broccoli, grapes, and green tea are examples.
- Limit or quit the consumption of alcohol.
- Quit smoking.
Special Advise
- Monitoring of (CBC) complete blood count during therapy is recommended.
- While using SARGRAMOSTIM, do not get any immunizations or vaccinations unless your doctor has approved them.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Neutropenia: Neutropenia is characterized as a lower than the normal number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell). White blood cells protect the body from infections. Without enough neutrophils, the body cannot fight bacteria, increasing the risk of many illnesses. Neutropenia can be caused by various conditions, including cancers like leukaemia, cancer treatment like radiotherapy, and infections like HIV or hepatitis.
