What is sipuleucel-t used for?
- Sipuleucel-T is used to treat prostate cancer.
- Sipuleucel-T may be given to you for other reasons. Talk to your doctor.
Before taking sipuleucel-t, tell your doctor:
- If you are allergic to sipuleucel-T; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you are a woman. This medicine is not approved for use in women. If you are a woman using sipuleucel-T, talk with your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take sipuleucel-T with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take sipuleucel-t?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take sipuleucel-T. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Some people have had side effects during or within 1 day after the infusion. Tell your doctor if you have any bad effects during or after the infusion.
- Blood clots have happened with sipuleucel-T. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a blood clot. Talk with your doctor.
How is sipuleucel-t best taken?
Use sipuleucel-T as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
- Other drugs may be given before sipuleucel-T to help avoid side effects.
- You will need to have a cell collection called leukapheresis about 3 days before you get sipuleucel-T.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
What are the side effects of sipuleucel-t that I need to call my doctor about immediately?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
- Shortness of breath.
- Dizziness or passing out.
- Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Feeling very tired or weak.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Headache.
- Muscle pain.
- Flu-like signs.
- Swelling in the arms or legs.
- Pain where the shot was given.
- Redness or swelling where the shot is given.
- Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.
What are some other side effects of sipuleucel-t?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Back pain.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Joint pain.
- Flushing.
- Muscle spasm.
- Not hungry.
- Bone pain.
- Signs of a common cold.
- Not able to sleep.
- Neck pain.
- Weight loss.
- Sweating a lot.
- Shakiness.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If overdose is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out sipuleucel-t?
- If you need to store sipuleucel-T at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
Consumer information use and disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about sipuleucel-T, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take sipuleucel-T or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to sipuleucel-T. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.
