Provenge

sipuleucel

Provenge

Indications

Action

Pharmacokinetics

Time/action profile

Contraindications/Precautions

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Central nervous system

• fatigue (most frequent)
• headache (most frequent)
• dizziness
• insomnia

Respiratory

• dyspnea

Cardiovascular

• hypertension
• peripheral edema

Gastrointestinal

• constipation
• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting

Genitourinary

• hematuria

Dermatologic

• flushing
• rash
• sweating

Hematologic

• anemia

Musculoskeletal

• back pain (most frequent)
• joint pain (most frequent)
• extremity pain
• muscle spasms
• musculoskeletal pain

Neurologic

• paresthesia
• tremor

Miscellaneous

• chills (most frequent)
• fever (most frequent)
• acute infusion reactions
• citrate toxicity

Interactions

Drug-Drug interaction

Route/Dosage

Availability

Nursing implications

Nursing assessment

• Monitor for signs of acute infusion reaction (fever, chills, dyspnea, hypoxia, bronchospasm, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, hypertension, tachycardia), especially patients with cardiac or pulmonary conditions. If signs occur, infusion may be slowed or interrupted, depending on severity of reaction. If infusion must be interrupted, do not resume if infusion bag will be at room temperature for >3 hr. Monitor patient for at least 30 min following each infusion.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

Implementation

• Intravenous Administration

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• Each infusion must be preceded by a leukaphresis procedure approximately 3 days prior. If patient is unable to receive an infusion, patient will need to undergo an additional leukaphresis procedure.
• Medication is not routinely tested for transmissible infectious diseases. Employ universal precautions in handling leukapheresis material or sipuleucel.
• Premedicate patient with acetaminophen and an antihistamine (diphenhydramine) 30 min prior to administration to minimize acute infusion reactions.
• Upon receipt of sipuleucel from manufacturer, open outer cardboard shipping box to verify product and patient-specific labels. Do not remove insulated container from shipping box or open lid of insulated container until patient is ready for infusion. Do not infuse until confirmation of product release has been received from manufacturer.
• Infusion must begin prior to expiration date and time. Do not infuse expired sipuleucel. Once infusion bag is removed from insulated container, infuse within 3 hr; do not return to shipping container.
• Intermittent Infusion: Once patient is prepared for infusion and Cell Product Disposition Form has been received, remove infusion bag from insulated container, and inspect bag for leakage. Contents will be slightly cloudy, with cream-to-pink color. Gently mix and re-suspend contents of bag, inspecting for clumps and clots. Small clumps should disperse with gentle manual mixing; do not administer if bag leaks or if clumps remain.
• Sipuleucel is solely for autologous use. Match patient's identity with the patient identifiers on the Cell Product Disposition Form and infusion bag.
• Rate: Infuse the entire volume of the bag over 60 min. Do not use a cell filter.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Explain the purpose of sipuleucel and the importance of maintaining all scheduled appointments, adhering to preparation instructions for leukaphresis procedure to patient.
• Inform patient that a central venous catheter may be required if adequate peripheral venous access is not available.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional if fever over 100°F, swelling or redness around catheter site, pain at infusion or collection sites, symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia (chest pains, racing heart, irregular heartbeats), signs of acute infusion reaction, or persistent side effects occur.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products, especially immunosuppressive agents, being taken and consult health care professional before taking any new medications.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

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