IBRITUMOMAB TIUXETAN - INJECTION

IBRITUMOMAB TIUXETAN - INJECTION

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (EYE-bri-TOOM-oh-mab tye-UX-e-tan)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Zevalin

GENERIC NAME(S): kit for prep yttrium-90/ibritumomab tiuxetan/albumin human

Uses

USES: This medication is combined with a certain radioactive substance (Yttrium-90) and used along with rituximab to treat a certain type of cancer (B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) in patients whose cancer has returned or has not responded to other treatments. Ibritumomab tiuxetan and rituximab are known as monoclonal antibodies. They work by killing certain blood and cancer cells from your immune system (B cells). Yttrium-90 helps kill the cancer cells.


How to use IBRITUMOMAB TIUXETAN - INJECTION

HOW TO USE: This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional. The dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to treatment.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal/stomach pain, cough, dizziness, headache, flushing, or loss of appetite may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. People using this medication may have serious side effects. However, your doctor has prescribed this drug because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: pain/swelling at injection site, swelling ankles/feet, mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety), black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, vaginal bleeding. Get medical help right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: weakness on one side of the body, vision problems, confusion, slurred speech. This medication is made from human blood. Even though donors are carefully screened and this medication goes through a special manufacturing process, there is a very small chance that you may get infections from the medication (e.g., viruses). Tell the doctor right away if you develop any signs of infection, including fever or persistent sore throat. This medication has rarely caused other types of cancer (including myelodysplastic syndrome-MDS, acute myelogenous leukemia-AML). This condition can lead to very serious blood disorders. See also Warning section for symptoms. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to mouse proteins; or to other medications in the treatment plan (rituximab, Yttrium-90); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood/bone marrow disorders (e.g., neutropenia, thrombocytopenia), recent/current infections. This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose. Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. To lower your risk of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports. This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while using this medication. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while using this medication and for 12 months afterwards. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: drugs that affect the immune system (e.g., azathioprine, cyclosporine, corticosteroids such as prednisone), drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (e.g., "blood thinners" such as warfarin/heparin, anti-platelet drugs including NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/aspirin). Low-dose aspirin should be continued if prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding, unusual tiredness, fast/pounding heartbeat.

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Faq for IBRITUMOMAB TIUXETAN - INJECTION

Ibritumomab Tiuxetan is a medication used for the treatment of certain types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It belongs to the class of drugs known as radioimmunotherapies.

Ibritumomab Tiuxetan works by attaching itself to a protein on cancer cells called CD20. It then delivers radiation directly to the cancer cells, destroying them.

The recommended dosage of Ibritumomab Tiuxetan may vary depending on factors such as the type and severity of lymphoma. It is typically administered as a single dose, after pre-treatment with rituximab.

Common side effects of Ibritumomab Tiuxetan may include fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and low blood cell counts. Serious side effects such as infections or bleeding may also occur.

Ibritumomab Tiuxetan is administered through intravenous (IV) injection by a healthcare professional in a specialized medical facility, as it contains radioactive particles.

The treatment with Ibritumomab Tiuxetan is usually completed within a week. It consists of pre-treatment with rituximab, followed by the administration of Ibritumomab Tiuxetan and subsequent imaging tests to evaluate treatment response.

Yes, there are several precautions and warnings associated with Ibritumomab Tiuxetan. It should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women, and precautions should be taken in patients with certain medical conditions such as low blood cell counts, liver or kidney problems, or previous radiation therapy.

Ibritumomab Tiuxetan may have a curative effect in some patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, especially in those with indolent (slow-growing) lymphomas. However, individual response to treatment can vary, and it is best to discuss the potential benefits with a healthcare provider.

Ibritumomab Tiuxetan may be used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, depending on the specific circumstances and recommendations of the treating physician.


Warning

WARNING: Rituximab, a medication that is used along with ibritumomab tiuxetan, may rarely cause serious (sometimes fatal) side effects, including severe breathing problems (e.g., hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome) or heart problems (e.g., heart attack, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure). These effects usually occur within 30 minutes to 2 hours of receiving rituximab. The risk of these effects is greater during your first treatment. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following signs: trouble breathing (e.g., shortness of breath, wheezing), itching, swelling (especially of the throat/lips), severe dizziness, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, chest pain. This medication may cause very serious blood disorders (decreased bone marrow function leading to low number of blood cells such as red cells, white cells, and platelets). This effect can cause anemia, decrease your body's ability to fight an infection, or cause your body to bruise or bleed more easily. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding, unusual tiredness, fast/pounding heartbeat. Rarely, serious (sometimes fatal) skin reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome) have occurred in patients receiving this treatment program. These reactions can occur during treatment or days to months after treatment is finished. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop a rash or pain/swelling of the mouth/tongue/throat/eyes. If you have previously had a severe skin reaction due to ibritumomab tiuxetan or the other medication(s) used in the treatment program (e.g., rituximab, yttrium), do not start this treatment program again. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.