About your treatment

Your doctor has ordered the drug aldesleukin to help treat your illness. The drug is given by injection into a vein or under the skin.

This medication is used to treat:

• metastatic renal cell cancer

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for information.

Aldesleukin is in a class of drugs known as cytokines. It is similar to a chemical which the body produces. Aldesleukin increases the body=s ability to fight cancer. In addition, aldesleukin stimulates the body to produce other chemicals which increase the body=s ability to fight cancer. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.

Other uses for this medicine

Aldesleukin also is used to treat metastatic melanoma. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

In case of emergency/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.

Special instructions

• The most common side effect of aldesleukin is a decrease in the number of blood cells. Your doctor may order tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected by the drug. Aldesleukin may change the amount of some minerals in your body. It also can change the amount of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will order tests to monitor the amount of minerals and sugar in your blood.

Brand names

Other names