sargramostim

Sargramostim is a medication prescribed to increase the number of white blood cells in patients with low white blood cell counts (neutropenia).

Sargramostim is a man-made form of the naturally-occurring protein, granulocyte, macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). GM-CSF is produced in the body by the immune system and stimulates the formation of white blood cells, including the granulocyte and the macrophage. Granulocytes and macrophages take part in the inflammatory reaction. They are responsible for detecting and destroying harmful bacteria and some fungi.

Sargramostim belongs to a class of drugs called colony-stimulating factors because of their ability to stimulate cells in the bone marrow to multiply and form colonies. Sargramostim is man-made. It is a product of the genetic engineering of genes from fungi and is produced by recombinant DNA technology in bacteria. Other colony stimulating factors are epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) that stimulate the formation of red blood cells and filgrastim (Neupogen) that also stimulates the formation of granulocytes and macrophages. The FDA approved sargramostim in March 1991.

The most common side effects while taking sargramostim are:

• stomach pain,
• mild to moderate fever,
• weakness,
• chills,
• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• rash,
• muscle and bone pain,
• shortness of breath,
• weight loss,
• leg and arm swelling,
• injection site reactions,
• serious allergic reactions and
• abnormal heart beats.

Sargramostim is administered intravenously or subcutaneously (under the skin). Sargramostim vials should not be shaken since the drug may be damaged, and bubbles may form that can prevent some of the drug from being drawn up into the syringe at the time of injection. Doses and duration of treatment vary depending on which condition it is used for. 250 mcg/m2/day given by intravenous injection is a typical adult dose for most uses.

Use sargramostim with caution if you are receiving drugs that may potentiate sargramostim's myeloproliferative effects, such as lithium and corticosteroids.

There are no studies to determine if sargramostim is excreted into breast milk.

What preparations of sargramostim are available?

Injectable Solution: 500 mcg/ml; Powder for Injection: 250 mcg/vial

How should I keep sargramostim stored?

Sargramostim should be stored at 2 C to 8 C (36 F to 46 F). Sargramostim should not be frozen.