Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin Injection
Why this is used
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection is used to treat a certain type of leukemia (cancer that begins in the cells of the bone marrow) in people who are at least 60 years old, whose disease has come back after treatment with a different medication, and who cannot be treated with other medications. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection is in a class of medications called antineoplastic agents. It works by killing cancer cells.
How to take it
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin comes as a powder to be mixed with water and slowly injected into a vein over 2 hours in a hospital or medical facility. It is usually given as two doses spaced 14 days apart.
Side effects
<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
<ul>
<li>
nausea</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
cold sores</li>
<li>
sores in mouth or throat</li>
<li>
constipation</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
heartburn</li>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
back pain</li>
<li>
weakness</li>
<li>
depression</li>
<li>
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
cloudy urine</li>
<li>
irregular heartbeat</li>
<li>
muscle or joint pain</li>
<li>
loss of muscle control</li>
<li>
seizures</li></ul>Gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.</p>
<ul>
<li>
nausea</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
cold sores</li>
<li>
sores in mouth or throat</li>
<li>
constipation</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
heartburn</li>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
back pain</li>
<li>
weakness</li>
<li>
depression</li>
<li>
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
cloudy urine</li>
<li>
irregular heartbeat</li>
<li>
muscle or joint pain</li>
<li>
loss of muscle control</li>
<li>
seizures</li></ul>Gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.</p>
Precautions
Before using gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section of if you have kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are being treated with gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Educational reference only — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber about Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin Injection.