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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
+ Not commercially available in Canada.
Gemtuzumab (gem-TOO-ze-mab)is a monoclonal antibody. It used to a certain type of leukemia which has recurred in patients who are 60 years of age or older. Gemtuzumab is an alternative to chemotherapy for these patients.
This medicine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:
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 gemtuzumab, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to gemtuzumab, anti-CD33 antibody, or calicheamicin derivatives. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Gemtuzumab may cause harm to the fetus when administered during pregnancy. There are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women. You should avoid becoming pregnant while receiving gemtuzumab. However, this medicine may be needed in serious diseases or other situations that threaten the mother's life. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.
Breast-feeding--It is not known if gemtuzumab passes into the breast milk. However, due to potential serious side effects in nursing babies from gemtuzumab, a decision should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop the drug.
Children--Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of gemtuzumab in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of gemtuzumab in the elderly with use in other age groups. However, laboratory values associated with liver problems were observed more often in patients 60 years old or older.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking gemtuzumab, it is especially important that your doctor or pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of gemtuzumab. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Dosing--The dose of gemtuzumab will be different for different patients.
The dose that is used may depend on a number of things, including your size.
Gemtuzumab is usually given by a doctor or nurse in the hospital or outpatient
clinic. If you have any questions about the proper dose of gemtuzumab, ask
your doctor. It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits
to make sure this medication is working properly and to check for
any unwanted effects. --While you are being treated with gemtuzumab, and after you stop
treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations)
without your doctor's approval.
Gemtuzumab may lower your body's resistance
and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant
to prevent. In addition, other persons living in your household should not
take oral polio vaccine since there is a chance they could pass the polio
virus on to you. Also, avoid persons who have taken oral polio vaccine within
the last several months. Do not get close to them, and do not stay in the
same room with them for very long. If you cannot take these precautions, you
should consider wearing a protective face mask that covers the nose and mouth. Gemtuzumab can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your
blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the
number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this
occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood
count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
black, tarry stools; bloating or swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet; blood in stools or urine; bluish color of fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds; blurred vision; burning or stinging of skin; chest pain; chills; confusion; convulsions (seizures); cough or hoarseness; cracked lips; decrease or increase in urine; diarrhea; difficulty in swallowing; dizziness; dry mouth; excessive sweating; fainting; fast heartbeat; fatigue; fever; flushed, dry skin; fruit-like breath odor; headache, sudden and severe; heavy, nonmenstrual vaginal bleeding; inability to speak; increased thirst or hunger; irregular heartbeat; light-headedness; lower back pain or side pain; loss of appetite; mood changes; muscle pain or cramps; muscle trembling or twitching; nausea or vomiting; numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips; pain or burning while urinating; painful cold sores or blisters on lips, nose, eyes, or genitals; pale skin; persistent bleeding or oozing from puncture sites, mouth, or nose; palpitations; pinpoint red spots on skin; pounding in the ears; red or purplish patches or spots on skin; rapid, shallow breathing; rapid weight gain; severe or continuing dull nervousness; shortness of breath; slurred speech; sneezing; sore throat; sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips, tongue, or inside mouth; stomachache; swelling or inflammation of the mouth; swollen glands; temporary blindness; tightness in chest; tingling of hands or feet; troubled breathing, exertional; unexplained nosebleeds; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusual weight gain or loss; weakness in arm and/or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe; wheezing; yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.
More Common
acid or sour stomach; belching; difficulty in moving; dry, red, hot, or irritated skin; full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach; heartburn; indigestion; lack or loss of strength; muscle pain or stiffness; pain, swelling, or redness in joints; runny, stuffy nose; stomach discomfort upset; swelling of abdominal or stomach area; trouble in sleeping
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 08/28/2000
Revised:
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