Gemtuzumab

Gemtuzumab is a cancer medication. Gemtuzumab interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Gemtuzumab is used to treat acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer. Gemtuzumab is usually given to people who are at least 60 years old and have a relapse of their disease and who cannot receive other cancer medications.

Gemtuzumab may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to gemtuzumab

Do not receive gemtuzumab without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Before receiving gemtuzumab, tell your doctor if you have any type of infection, lung or breathing problems, liver or kidney disease, if you have ever received a stem cell transplant, or if you are being treated with other cancer medications.

Gemtuzumab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, or unusual weakness.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with gemtuzumab, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine.

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to gemtuzumab

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:

• any type of infection;
• lung or breathing problems;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• if you have ever received a stem cell transplant; or
• if you being treated with other cancer medications.

FDA pregnancy category D. Gemtuzumab can cause harm to an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Before you receive gemtuzumab, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether gemtuzumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with gemtuzumab, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. The live vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. There is also chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine.

Tell your doctor about all other chemotherapy treatments you are receiving.

There may be other drugs that can interact with gemtuzumab. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Gemtuzumab is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take at least 2 hours to complete.

Gemtuzumab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.

Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, or unusual weakness.

To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

Since gemtuzumab is given by a healthcare professional, an overdose is not likely to occur.

Symptoms of a gemtuzumab overdose are not known.

Contact your doctor if you miss an appointment for your gemtuzumab injection.

Gemtuzumab is used in the treatment of:

• Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.