Sipuleucel-t Injectable Suspension

Sipuleucel-T is used to treat advanced prostate cancer. It’s only used to treat cancer that has spread to other parts of your body and that has not responded to hormone therapy.

Sipuleucel-T is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. It’s only administered by a healthcare provider.

Sipuleucel-T is available as the brand-name drug Provenge. It’s not available as a generic drug.

The more common side effects of this drug include chills, tiredness, fever, back pain, nausea, joint aches, and headache.

In some cases, sipuleucel-T can cause serious side effects. These include infection, infusion reactions, blood clots, and stroke.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Infusion reactions See Details

• Stroke or blood clots See Details

• Infection See Details

What is Sipuleucel-T?

This drug is a prescription drug. It’s available in an intravenous (IV) form, which is only given by a healthcare provider.

This drug is available as the brand-name drug Provenge. It’s not available as a generic drug.

This drug is made from your own immune cells. Your healthcare provider will do a blood draw to collect these cells. The blood draw will take place about 3 days before your infusion. You can only use the formula that’s prepared just for you using these immune cells.

Why it's used

This drug is used to treat advanced prostate cancer. It’s only used to treat cancer that has spread to other parts of your body and that has not responded to hormone therapy.

How it works

This drug belongs to a class of drugs called autologous cellular immunotherapy drugs. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.

See Details

Sipuleucel-T can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. Your healthcare provider will look out for interactions with your current medications. Always be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, herbs, or vitamins you’re taking.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Drug warnings

People with a history of heart problems

You’re at higher risk of serious infusion reactions from this drug. Before you start this drug, tell your doctor about your history of heart problems. They may monitor you more closely during treatment.

People with a history of stroke

This drug raises your risk of stroke. Your risk is even higher if you already have risk factors for stroke. Before you start this drug, tell your doctor about your history of stroke or any other risk factors. Your doctor may monitor you more closely during treatment.

People with lung problems

If you have lung problems or a history of lung problems, you’re at increased risk of serious infusion reactions from this drug. Before you start this drug, tell your doctor if you already have lung problems. They may monitor you more closely during treatment.

For children

This medication has not been studied in children. It should not be used in people younger than 18 years of age.

Allergies

This drug can cause a severe allergic reaction or infusion reaction. Symptoms can include:

• fever or chills
• tiredness
• nausea or vomiting
• joint aches

Your doctor will monitor you during the infusion. If you have a reaction, they may slow down or stop the infusion. You may be treated with other medications to treat the reaction.

Taking this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it could be fatal (cause death). Be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to this drug.