Mylotarg can increase your risk of bleeding or liver damage, either of which may be life-threatening.
Call your doctor at once if you have upper stomach pain, yellowing of your skin or eyes, rapid weight gain, swelling in your midsection, sudden numbness or weakness, problems with speech or vision, severe headache, or unusual bleeding (bleeding gums, vaginal bleeding, blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood).
Before taking this medicine
You should not be treated with Mylotarg if you are allergic to gemtuzumab ozogamicin.
To make sure Mylotarg is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
liver disease;
long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
a stem cell transplant; or
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using Mylotarg.
If you are a woman, you may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using Mylotarg and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.
Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Mylotarg.
Mylotarg may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because gemtuzumab ozogamicin may harm the baby if a pregnancy does occur.
Do not breastfeed while using Mylotarg, and for at least 1 month after your last dose.
How is Mylotarg given?
Mylotarg is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Mylotarg is given in a treatment cycle, and you will receive it only on certain days of each cycle. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with this medicine.
You will be given other medications to help prevent serious side effects or an infusion reaction. Start and keep taking these medications exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Mylotarg must be given slowly, and the infusion can take at least 2 hours to complete.
You will be watched closely for at least 1 hour after receiving Mylotarg, to make sure you do not have an infusion reaction.
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin may cause serious or life-threatening liver problems, including veno-occlusive disease (blocked blood vessels in the liver that can lead to liver damage).
You will need frequent medical tests. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.
