Newly released clinical trials involving the use of IL-2 in HIV infected patients will increase the demand for information on the drug. Vidyya presents this fact sheet on IL-2 for the use of your patients.
is a synthetic (man-made) version of a substance called
interleukin-2. Interleukins are produced naturally by cells in the body to
help white blood cells work. Aldesleukin is used to treat cancer of the kidney
and skin cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Aldesleukin causes some other very serious effects in addition to its helpful
effects. Some effects can be fatal. For that reason, aldesleukin is given
only in the hospital. If severe side effects occur, which is common, treatment
in an intensive care unit (ICU) may be necessary. Other effects may not be
serious but may cause concern. Before you begin treatment with aldesleukin,
you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well
as the risks of using it.
Aldesleukin is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision
of your doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:
Before Using This Medicine
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 aldesleukin, the
following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to aldesleukin.
Pregnancy--Aldesleukin has not been studied in humans or in
animals. However, because this medicine may cause serious side effects, use
during pregnancy is usually not recommended.
Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before receiving
Breast-feeding--It is not known whether aldesleukin passes
into breast milk.
Children--There is no specific information comparing use
of aldesleukin 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. There is no specific information comparing
use of aldesleukin in the elderly with use in other age groups.
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. Tell your health care
professional if you are taking
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of aldesleukin. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
Herpes zoster (shingles)--Risk of severe disease affecting other
parts of the body
Heart disease or
Immune system problems or
Liver disease or
Lung disease or
Underactive thyroid--May be worsened by aldesleukin
Infection--Aldesleukin may decrease your body's ability to fight
Kidney disease--Effects of aldesleukin may be increased because
of slower removal from the body
Mental problems--Aldesleukin may make them worse
Seizures (history of)--Aldesleukin can cause seizures
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects,
a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Some side effects will have signs
or symptoms that you can see or feel. Your doctor may watch for others by
doing certain tests.
Check with your doctor
or nurse immediately
if any of the following side effects
Check with your health care
professional as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Bloating and stomach pain; blurred or
double vision; faintness; fast or irregular heartbeat; loss of taste; rapid breathing; redness, swelling,
and soreness of tongue; trouble in speaking; yellow eyes and skin
This medicine may also cause
the following side effects that your doctor will watch for:
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. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about
ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health
care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome
or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed above
may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with