Receiving brentuximab vedotin injection may increase the risk that you will develop progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare infection of the brain that cannot be treated, prevented, or cured and that usually causes death or severe disability). Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a condition that affects your immune system. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any medications that suppress the immune system. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop receiving brentuximab vedotin injection and call your doctor immediately: decreased strength or weakness on one side of the body; difficulty walking; loss of coordination; headache; confusion; difficulty thinking clearly; memory loss; changes in mood or usual behavior; difficulty speaking; or vision problems.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain tests to check your body's response to brentuximab vedotin injection.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving brentuximab vedotin injection.
Brentuximab vedotin injection is used to treat patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma who did not respond to a stem cell transplant (procedure that replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow) or at least two treatment periods of chemotherapy. Brentuximab vedotin injection is also used to treat systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL; a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma) who did not respond to another treatment period of chemotherapy. Brentuximab vedotin injection is in a class of medications called antibody-drug conjugates. It works by killing cancer cells.
Brentuximab vedotin injection comes as a powder to be mixed with fluid and injected over 30 minutes intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital. It is usually injected once every 3 weeks. This treatment period is called a cycle, and the cycle may be repeated up to 16 times.
Brentuximab vedotin injection may cause serious allergic reactions, which usually occur during the infusion of the medication or within 24 hours of receiving a dose. You may receive certain medications before your infusion to prevent an allergic reaction if you had a reaction with previous treatment. Your doctor will watch you carefully while you are receiving brentuximab vedotin. If you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately: fever, chills, rash, hives, itching, or difficulty breathing.
Your doctor may need to delay your treatment, adjust your dose, or stop your treatment if you experience certain side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with brentuximab vedotin injection.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
stomach pain
constipation
decreased appetite
weight loss
tiredness
dizziness
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
anxiety
hair loss
night sweats
joint, muscle, back, arm, or leg pain
muscle spasms
unusual bleeding or bruising
numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
muscle weakness
peeling or blistering skin
hives
rash
itching
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
decreased urination
swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
difficult, painful, or frequent urination
fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
Brentuximab vedotin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about brentuximab vedotin injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Last Revised - 03/15/2012
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.