If you have a certain kind of cancer, your doctor might suggest Mylotarg as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults and some children.

Mylotarg is used in this.

  • Adults and children with a new diagnosis of CD33-positive are at increased risk of leukemia.
  • People who have relapsed or are currently in treatment for leukemia are 2 years and older.

The cancer cells have a high level of the CD33 on their surface.

Mylotarg is not a long-term treatment. The length of your treatment depends on a number of factors, such as the type of leukemia you have and the treatment plan your doctor prescribes.

Mylotarg comes as a liquid solution that’s given by a healthcare professional as an intravenous (IV) infusion. (This is an injection into your vein given over a period of time.)

The active ingredient in Mylotarg is gemtuzumab ozogamicin. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Mylotarg is a biologic drug that only comes in a brand-name form. Biologics are made from parts of living cells. Mylotarg is not available in a biosimilar form. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.)

For more information about Mylotarg, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Mild to serious side effects can be caused by Mylotarg. Continue reading to learn more.

Mild to serious side effects may occur during Mylotarg treatment. Some reported side effects include:

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

These are only a few of the side effects you might have with Mylotarg. Keep reading to learn about others that are possible with this drug.

Mild side effects may be caused by mylotarg. There are examples that have been reported with this drug.

“These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, don’t stop Mylotarg treatment.”

Mylotarg may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Mylotarg, visit MedWatch.

There are serious side effects with Mylotarg.

There have been serious side effects with this drug.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.
† Mylotarg has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Mylotarg, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Some of the side effects Mylotarg may cause are discussed.

Liver problems

Mylotarg has a boxed warning for the risk of liver problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about severe side effects of a drug.

In studies, liver problems were a common side effect of Mylotarg. Some people developed a life threatening condition called veno-occlusive disease (VOD). This happens when there is a blockage in the veins in the liver that prevents blood from flowing through it. Without enough blood, the liver can become damaged.

Symptoms of VOD include:

People with certain risk factors for the disease may be more prone to the side effect. Risk factors include:

What might help

Talk with your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms of liver disease, such as Dark urine., yellow skin, or weight gain.

Your doctor will check your liver function before prescribing Mylotarg and before you receive each dose. And they’ll continue to check your liver function throughout your treatment cycles. If the results of your liver function tests are abnormal, your doctor may still recommend Mylotarg, but you’ll need to test your liver function more often.

If you have symptoms of a problem with the liver, your doctor may have you stop taking Mylotarg. They may give you other treatments to manage the symptoms.

Infection

Infections were a common side effect of Mylotarg in studies of the drug. Mylotarg can reduce the activity of your immune system, which causes an increased risk of infection.

Reported infections from Mylotarg include fungal and bacterial infections, some of which were serious. And adults ages 65 years and older were more likely to experience this side effect.

The kind of infections you have will affect the symptoms of an infection.

What might help

Your doctor will check your blood often since Mylotarg can reduce the number of immune cells. If you think you have an illness, talk to them.

There are a few tips to help prevent infections.

  • You should wash your hands often.
  • Staying away from people who are sick.
  • following food safety guidelines

Bleeding

The active ingredient in Mylotarg is gemtuzumab ozogamicin, which is an antibody drug. It decreases the production of blood cells. These include platelets, a kind of blood cell that helps your blood clot. By reducing the platelet count in your blood, Mylotarg can increase the risk of certain kinds of bleeding.

In studies, bleeding was occasionally very serious, especially if it occurred in the brain or head. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the bleed.

If you have a bleed in your brain, you may have other problems.

If the bleeding is in your lungs, you may have it.

Bleeding in your stomach can cause other symptoms.

What might help

Your doctor will check your platelet count often during your treatment. They will check you for signs of bleeding. If you have a lot of bleeding, your doctor may have to stop Mylotarg completely.

If you have any bleeding symptoms, report them to your doctor. If you are concerned about this side effect, talk to them.

Febrile neutropenia

Febrile neutropenia was a common and serious side effect of Mylotarg in studies. Neutropenia happens when the level of neutrophils, a type of immune cell found in your blood, decreases. Having fewer neutrophils can put you at risk of infection. And if the level of these cells gets too low, your infection can be serious. Febrile neutropenia happens when you have neutropenia and a There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever…. higher than 100.3°F.

What might help

Your doctor will check your blood often before and during treatment with Mylotarg. If you have a There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever…. with Mylotarg, tell your doctor immediately. They may order more blood tests and possibly other tests, such as X-rays and a urine test.

Your doctor may not find the exact cause of your There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever….. Regardless, you’ll receive antibiotics by intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into your vein given over time). You may require hospitalization and close monitoring by your healthcare team.

Infusion reactions

An infusion reaction is a potentially severe type of allergic reaction that is common with antibody drugs. (Mylotarg contains the active ingredient gemtuzumab ozogamicin, which is an antibody drug.)

In studies, infusion reactions occurred during Mylotarg injection and up to 24 hours afterward.

There are life threatening symptoms of the infusion reactions.

What might help

To prevent infusion reaction from Mylotarg, your doctor will prescribe other medications. You’ll receive Tylenol (acetaminophen), a steroid, and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) before each infusion.

A healthcare professional will be watching you for signs of the reaction to your injection.

If you have a reaction to Mylotarg, your doctor will stop the infusion. You will receive a steroid drug or another allergy medication after that. Your doctor may have you stop Mylotarg if you have a severe reaction.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Mylotarg can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin There is a rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s usually under your skin, but it can be anywhere.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

A serious allergic reaction called an infusion reaction is common with Mylotarg. (For more information, see “Infusion reactions” just above.)

What might help

Call your doctor right away if you have mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild There is a rash., after receiving your infusion and returning home. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • A product that is applied to the skin.

If your doctor confirms you have an allergic reaction to Mylotarg, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or breathing problems, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Mylotarg, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during your treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing your notes with your doctor will help them understand how Mylotarg affects you. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

There are several warnings, including a boxed warning.

Boxed warning: Risk of liver problems

Mylotarg has a boxed warning for the risk of liver problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This includes severe or fatal veno-occlusive disease (VOD), in which blood flow in the liver decreases, which can cause liver damage.

To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

If you have a medical condition that affects your health, Mylotarg may not be right for you. Before starting Mylotarg, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Long QT syndrome. Mylotarg can affect how your heart beats and can cause a condition called Long QT syndrome can be a problem.. This serious side effect is a change in heart rhythm. If you have a history of Long QT syndrome can be a problem. or are taking other medications that can affect your heart rhythm, tell your doctor before starting Mylotarg. They’ll check your heartbeat with an electrocardiogram and may also check the electrolytes (essential minerals) in your blood. If necessary, you may need to repeat these tests during your treatment.

Low blood cell counts. With acute myeloid leukemia (AML), you may have low numbers of certain blood cells. Mylotarg can lower these numbers even more, which can increase your risk of infection and bleeding. Some symptoms of an infection may include There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever…., “It’s cold.”, and breathing problems. Depending on the kind of infection you have, your symptoms might be different. (For example, symptoms will differ if you have a bleed in your head, stomach, or lungs.) Tell your doctor or seek emergency treatment immediately if you have It was bruised., a severe There is a throbbing head., or breathing problems. Your doctor will tell you about other symptoms of bleeding you might have with Mylotarg. If you have low blood cell counts with Mylotarg, your doctor will check your blood frequently and might delay your next dose if needed. And they may have you stop Mylotarg treatment completely if your blood cell counts are too low.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Mylotarg or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

AML with adverse-risk cytogenetics. People with AML will have bone marrow biopsies to check for abnormal cells and genes. This information helps doctors determine their outlook. If your test results show a complication called adverse-risk cytogenetics, Mylotarg may not be the right treatment for you. If you’re taking other chemotherapy drugs for AML, your doctor will decide if the benefits of taking Mylotarg for your condition outweigh the risks.

Alcohol and Mylotarg

Although some medications interact with alcohol, Mylotarg isn’t one of them. But Mylotarg can cause Nausea and vomiting., and alcohol may make this side effect worse. Also, Mylotarg has a boxed warning for risk of liver problems, and alcohol can also affect your liver.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to drink alcohol. They may ask you questions about your drinking habits. They will tell you how safe alcohol is if you drink with Mylotarg.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Mylotarg

Mylotarg can harm a fetus, so it is not safe to use during pregnancy. Your doctor will ask you to take a pregnancy test before you prescribe Mylotarg. They recommend using contraception for 3 to 6 months after your last dose of Mylotarg.

It is not known if this drug will harm a child who is breastfed. It is recommended that you do not feed your baby during Mylotarg treatment and for up to a month after.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor about the risks.

Some side effects can be serious. The serious side effects of Mylotarg can be learned by looking at the following.

“Before you start Mylotarg treatment, talk to your doctor. Ask questions to make you more comfortable with the drug’s side effects. Some examples will help you start.”

Q:

Does Mylotarg cause weight gain?

Anonymous

A:

Mylotarg does not cause weight gain. A change in weight was not a side effect of Mylotarg in studies. But there are other factors to consider. This drug can cause a The appetite has been lost., nausea, and vomiting, which can lead to weight loss. But it can also cause liver problems, and with liver failure, you might quickly gain weight.

If you notice a change in your weight, please tell your doctor. They can help determine the cause and need your weight to calculate it.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.