Pronunciation: SI pu LOO sel tee

Brand: Provenge

What is the most important information I should know about sipuleucel-T?

Before receiving sipuleucel-T tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies, all medicines you use, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What is sipuleucel-T?

Sipuleucel-T is an immunotherapy medicine used to treat advanced prostate cancer in men.

Sipuleucel-T is made from a small amount of your own white blood cells, removed from blood that is drawn from your body.

Sipuleucel-T is usually given after surgery or other treatments have failed.

Sipuleucel-T may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving sipuleucel-T?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • heart problems;
  • a stroke; or
  • breathing problems.

How is sipuleucel-T given?

Sipuleucel-T is given after a procedure called leukapheresis (LOO-kuh-fuh-REE-sis).


The collected blood cells are then mixed with sipuleucel-T and injected back into your body about 3 days after leukapheresis.

When injected into your body, these treated blood cells help strengthen your immune system to target and attack certain prostate cancer cells.

A healthcare provider will give you this infusion, which takes about 60 minutes to complete. You will be watched closely for at least 30 minutes to make sure you do not have an infusion reaction.

You may be given other medications to help prevent serious side effects or an allergic reaction. Keep using these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

This treatment is usually given 3 times about 2 weeks apart.


What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss any appointment in your cell collection or sipuleucel-T infusion schedule.

What happens if I overdose?


What should I avoid while receiving sipuleucel-T?


What are the possible side effects of sipuleucel-T?


Some side effects may occur during the injection or within the first 24 hours afterward. Tell your caregiver if you feel tired, dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, feverish, chilled, or have fast heartbeats, trouble breathing, a severe headache, or pounding in your neck or ears.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • racing or irregular heartbeats;
  • signs of infection --fever, pain or redness where a needle was placed for blood cell collection or infusion;
  • signs of a stroke --sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), vision problems, slurred speech;
  • signs of a blood clot deep in the body --pain, swelling, warmth, or discoloration in an arm or leg; or
  • signs of a blood clot in the lung --chest pain that gets worse with deep breathing, shortness of breath.

Common side effects may include:

  • fever, chills, tiredness;
  • back pain;
  • nausea;
  • headache; or
  • joint pain.


What other drugs will affect sipuleucel-T?

Tell your doctor if you use any drugs that weaken your immune system, such as:

  • other cancer medicines;
  • steroids (prednisone and others); or
  • medicines to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect sipuleucel-T, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about sipuleucel-T.



Copyright 1996-2021 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.01. Revision date: 1/3/2020.
