Skip to main content
Leukine

Leukine Side Effects

Allison Gourley, PharmDKristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Reviewed by Allison Gourley, PharmD, Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 14, 2023

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Fever (95%)
  • Nausea (90%)
  • Diarrhea (89%)
  • Vomiting (85%)
  • Blisters or sores in sensitive skin areas (75%)
  • Hair loss (73%)
  • Weakness or lack of energy (up to 66%)
  • Low appetite or stomach-related problems (up to 54%)
  • Rash (44%)
  • Swelling (34%)
  • Stomach bleeds (27%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Mouth sores
  • Trouble breathing
  • Bleeds
  • Urinary tract infections

Please note: These side effects were reported in clinical trials by people who received Leukine (sargramostim) after bone marrow transplant. The side effects you experience might be different if you're being treated for a different condition.

Leukine serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Infusion-related reactions: trouble breathing, flushing, dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat
  • Serious allergic reaction: rash, swelling around your mouth or eyes, trouble breathing, wheezing
  • Too much body fluid: sudden weight gain, welling in feet or ankles, trouble breathing, dizziness, feeling tired
  • Abnormal heart rhythm

Source: DailyMed

The following Leukine side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Black, tarry stools

bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

blood in the eye

bloody nose

blurred vision

body aches or pain

bone pain

chest pain

cloudy urine

congestion

cough

decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability

difficult or labored breathing

drowsiness

dry mouth

dryness or soreness of the throat

eye pain

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

fever

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

hoarseness

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

irregular heartbeat

large amount of cholesterol in the blood

loss of appetite

mood or mental changes

muscle spasms

nausea

rapid weight gain

redness in whites of eyes

runny nose

stomach pain

sweating

tender, swollen glands in the neck

tightness in the chest

tingling of the hands or feet

trouble with swallowing

trembling

twitching

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusual weight gain or loss

voice changes

vomiting

vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Chills

confusion

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

general feeling of illness

headache

pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves

severe, sudden headache

slurred speech

sudden loss of coordination

sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Diarrhea

difficulty in moving

fear or nervousness

itching skin

lack or loss of strength

muscle pain or stiffness

pain in the joints

trouble sleeping

Incidence not known

Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

feeling of warmth

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

GoodRx icon

Other Leukocyte Growth Factors side effects articles

why trust our exports reliability shield

Why trust our experts?

Allison Gourley, PharmD, is a kidney and pancreas transplant pharmacist at a teaching hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area. When she’s not educating patients about their immunosuppressants, she's actively involved in transplant research.
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California. She has been a retail pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for over 7 years and has contributed drug information content to different health companies.

Was this page helpful?