Aldesleukin: what it treats, how you receive it, side effects
Last updated September 7, 2026.
**Aldesleukin is a cancer immunotherapy in the cytokine class, also called interleukin-2.** It activates immune cells that help fight cancer. You must receive it in a hospital with intensive care available because capillary leak syndrome can cause dangerously low blood pressure and organ damage.
What does it treat?
You may receive aldesleukin, sold as Proleukin, for renal cell carcinoma, a kidney cancer, or melanoma, a skin cancer, that has spread elsewhere in your body. Your oncology team decides whether it fits your cancer and overall health.
How do you take it?
A nurse gives the mixed and diluted powder into your vein over 15 minutes. The labeled adult dose is 600,000 international units/kg every 8 hours, meaning up to three scheduled doses daily, with a maximum of 14 doses over 5 days. After 9 rest days, you may receive another 14 doses, for at most 28 per course. Meals do not control infusion timing. Your team manages missed or withheld doses; never arrange an extra dose yourself. Report new symptoms immediately so staff can stop the infusion or withhold further doses when needed.
Side effects to know
- Common: You may experience chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, or low blood pressure.
- Serious: Tell staff immediately so treatment can be interrupted for new breathlessness, swelling, very little urine, confusion, or extreme sleepiness, which can signal capillary leak or organ toxicity. Fever or other infection symptoms need prompt assessment because serious infection, including sepsis, can occur.
Who should not take it?
You must not receive it after a severe allergic reaction to its ingredients, with a donated organ transplant, or with significant heart, lung, kidney, liver, or central nervous system impairment. Discuss infections, seizures, autoimmune disease, and all medicines before treatment. It may harm a fetus or cause pregnancy loss; you need pregnancy testing before treatment if you can become pregnant, effective contraception during treatment, and no breastfeeding during treatment. Avoid alcohol during treatment unless your oncology team approves it.
When is it an emergency?
An overdose can bring on severe toxicity faster, including fainting, breathing trouble, confusion, or sharply reduced urine. Alert hospital staff immediately for any suspected dosing error; for overdose, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 for collapse or breathing trouble, including an allergic reaction with throat swelling. Chest pain, seizures, or inability to wake also require emergency help.
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Common questions
What is the maximum dose?
Your labeled dose is 600,000 international units/kg every 8 hours. Each cycle stops at 14 doses, and each course stops at 28 doses. Your team may withhold doses for side effects.
Can I drink alcohol?
The label does not establish a safe alcohol amount. Alcohol can worsen dizziness or sleepiness. Avoid it during treatment unless your oncology team approves it.
What if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Tell your oncologist before another infusion if you are pregnant or might be. Aldesleukin may harm your pregnancy. Use effective contraception during treatment if you can become pregnant, and do not breastfeed during treatment.
Do I need to take it with food?
You receive it through a vein, so meals do not affect absorption. Follow your hospital's eating instructions. Ask your team how much to drink because they monitor your fluid balance.
What are overdose signs?
Severe dizziness, confusion, breathing trouble, or very little urine can signal serious toxicity. These symptoms can also occur at prescribed doses. Alert staff immediately and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for suspected overdose; call 911 for collapse or breathing trouble.
Which medicines or scans can interact?
Give your team a complete medication list, including steroids, blood pressure medicines, sedatives, and other cancer treatments. Steroids can reduce effectiveness, while some medicines increase organ toxicity or low blood pressure. Tell radiology staff about prior aldesleukin before receiving iodine contrast because delayed reactions can occur. Do not stop prescribed medicines yourself.