The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the safety and tolerability of omacetaxine for consolidation in patients age 55 and older with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in first complete remission following induction with cytarabine and an anthracycline, and also to assess the safety and tolerability of omacetaxine for maintenance in patients age 55 and older with acute AML in first complete remission following 3 consolidation courses with omacetaxine.