Aldesleukin

Aldesleukin is a prescription medication used for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma.

• Aldesleukin is available under the following different brand names: Interleukin 2, Proleukin.

Common side effects of Aldesleukin include:

• chills
• stomach upset or pain
• dry skin
• muscle stiffness
• diarrhea
• mouth sores
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• tiredness
• anxiety
• headache
• weight gain
• nausea/vomiting (may be severe)
• loss of appetite

Serious side effects of Aldesleukin include:

• stuffy or runny nose followed by tiredness or dizziness
• thirst
• decreased urination
• trouble breathing
• sudden swelling or weight gain
• severe drowsiness
• chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats
• problems with vision, speech, balance, or coordination
• mood or behavior changes, confusion, agitation, hallucinations
• seizures (convulsions)
• black, bloody, or tarry stools
• a blistering skin rash
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, and feeling light-headed or shortness of breath

Rare side effects of Aldesleukin include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Powder for injection

• 22 M International Units/vial

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Adult dosage

• 600,000 International Units/kg (0.037 mg/kg) IV every 8 hours infused over 15 minutes for a maximum of 14 doses, then 
• 9 days of rest, followed by a maximum of 14 more doses
• Retreatment: Evaluate after 4 weeks, advisable only in case of tumor shrinkage and no retreatment contraindications

Metastatic melanoma

Adult dosage

• 600,000 International Units/kg (0.037 mg/kg) IV every 8 hours infused over 15 minutes for a maximum of 14 doses, then 
• 9 days of rest, followed by a maximum of 14 more doses
• Retreatment: Evaluate after 4 weeks, advisable only in case of tumor shrinkage and no retreatment contraindications

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.

• Aldesleukin has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs
• Aldesleukin has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • bacitracin
  • beclomethasone, inhaled
  • budesonide
  • cortisone
  • deferiprone
  • dexamethasone
  • fludrocortisone
  • hydrocortisone
  • methylprednisolone
  • metoclopramide intranasal
  • mometasone inhaled
  • mometasone topical
  • palifermin
  • prednisolone
  • prednisone
  • ropeginterferon alfa 2b
  • selinexor
  • triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension
• Aldesleukin has moderate interactions with at least 96 other drugs.
• Aldesleukin has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • methyclothiazide
  • taurine

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity, abnormal thallium stress test, or pulmonary function test
• Organ allografts
• Retreatment for those who have experienced complications of drug-induced capillary leak syndrome
• Sustained VTach (=5 beats), cardiac arrhythmias not controlled or unresponsive to management
• Chest pain with ECG changes, consistent with angina/MI; cardiac tamponade
• Intubation for more than 72 hours; renal failure requiring dialysis for more than 72 hours
• Coma or toxic psychosis lasting more than 48 hours
• Repetitive or difficult-to-control seizures
• Bowel ischemia/perforation; GI bleeding requiring surgery

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Aldesleukin?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Aldesleukin?”

Cautions

• History of cardiac or pulmonary disease
• May exacerbate autoimmune disease
• Risk of capillary leak syndrome
• Risk of reduced neutrophil chemotaxis, resulting in sepsis/infection risk, use prophylaxis if warranted
• Hypotension is dose-limiting

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown/not recommended