aldesleukin, an antineoplastic agent. ▪ INDICATIONS: This drug is used to treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma in adults and metastatic melanoma. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: Known hypersensitivity to this drug and abnormal thallium stress or pulmonary function tests prohibit this drug’s use. This drug also must not be used in patients with organ allografts. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Adverse effects of this drug include mental status changes, dizziness, sensory dysfunction, syncope, motor dysfunction, headache, impaired memory, depression, sleep disturbances, hallucinations, rigors, neuropathy, sinus tachycardia, dysrhythmias, bradycardia, PVCs, PACs, myocardial ischemia, reversible visual changes, stomatitis, anorexia, GI bleeding, dyspepsia, constipation, jaundice, ascites, dysuria, dry skin, purpura, petechiae, urticaria, arthralgia, myalgia, pulmonary congestion, tachypnea, pleural effusion, wheezing, and infection. Common side effects include fever, chills, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pruritus, erythema, rash, and dyspnea. Life-threatening side effects include myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, capillary leak syndrome, cerebrovascular accident, intestinal perforation, oliguria, anuria, proteinuria, hematuria, renal failure, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, coagulation disorders, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, exfoliative dermatitis, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, and apnea.
