Imbruvica

Generic name: Ibrutinib
Drug class: BTK inhibitors

Usage of Imbruvica

Imbruvica (ibrutinib) is an oral targeted treatment that may be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat adults with the following types of blood cancers:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/ small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with 17p deletion

Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM).

It may also be used to treat adults and children aged 1 year and older with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy.

The accelerated approval status for Imbruvica for Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) and Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL) was voluntarily withdrawn on April 6, 2023. This was because, although the Phase 3 SHINE study for MCL met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), it was associated with an increased rate of adverse reactions. For MZL, the phase 3 SELENE study did not meet its primary endpoint of PFS.

Imbruvica works by directly inhibiting an enzyme, called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). It forms a covalent bond with a cysteine residue on the enzyme, preventing its activity. BTK works as a signaling molecule for the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) and cytokine receptor pathways. Activation of these pathways causes the proliferation of B cells and other interactions, and inhibition has been shown to reduce the growth and spread of malignant B cells. It belongs to the class of medicines known as BTK inhibitors.

Imbruvica was first FDA-approved on November 13, 2013.

Imbruvica side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Imbruvica: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Imbruvica may cause a brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Tell your doctor if you have problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement. These symptoms can get worse quickly.

You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

fever, chills, sore throat

mouth sores, red or swollen gums

pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding or

chest discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack, rapid weight loss.

Imbruvica can cause you to bleed more easily. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have:

easy bruising, unusual bleeding, or any bleeding that will not stop

bleeding inside your body - weakness, dizziness; pink or brown urine; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds or

bleeding in your brain - sudden weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, problems with speech or vision.

Imbruvica may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe or ongoing diarrhea

heart problems - swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath

heart rhythm disorders - dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fast or irregular heart rate, feeling light-headed

high blood pressure - severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears

low blood cell counts - fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath

kidney problems - swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath or

signs of tumor cell breakdown - tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fast or slow heart rate, tingling in your hands and feet or around your mouth.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common Imbruvica side effects reported by more than 30% of people taking Imbruvica include:

diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain

fever, cough, trouble breathing

mouth sores

feeling tired

low blood cell counts

muscle spasms

bruising, rash or

muscle, joint, or bone pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Imbruvica

To make sure Imbruvica is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

an infection

bleeding problems

take a blood thinner such as warfarin

a heart rhythm disorder

risk factors for heart disease (such as diabetes, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol)

low blood cell counts

recent surgery or plan to have surgery, medical or dental procedure or

liver disease.

Taking Imbruvica may increase your risk of developing other cancers. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Ibrutinib can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using Imbruvica.

If you are a woman, you may need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use birth control while using Imbruvica and for at least 1 month after your last dose. If you are a man, use birth control if your sex partner can get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 1 month after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs.

Do not breastfeed while using Imbruvica, and for at least 1 week after your last dose.

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How to use Imbruvica

The dose of Imbruvica varies Depending on the condition being treated:

Dosage for Adults with CLL/SLL and WM

420mg once daily

Dosage for cGVHD

Patients 12 years and older: 420mg once daily

Patients 1 year old to less than 12 years old: 240mg/m2 once daily (up to a maximum dosage of 420mg once daily).

Warnings

Serious hemorrhage, including intracranial or gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematuria, and post-procedural hemorrhage has occurred in people receiving Imbruvica, 0.4% have been fatal. 39% of people reported bleeding of any grade, including purpura and peteChiae. Coadministration with antiplatelet or anticoagulants may increase the risk. Your doctor will monitor for signs and symptoms of bleeding and discontinue if serious bleeding occurs. They may consider withholding Imbruivca for 3 to 7 days pre and post surgery depending on the risk of bleeding. Call your doctor at once if you have signs of bleeding inside your body, such as dizziness, confusion, headache, speech problems, black or bloody stools, pink or brown urine, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Imbruvica affects your immune system. Serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infections have been reported with Imbruvica; 21% were Grade 3 or higher. Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) have occurred, in addition to reactivation of hepatitis B. Consider prophylaxis for herpes simplex virus, pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, and other infections in patients who are at increased risk for infections. Tell your doctor if you have a fever, chills, cough, mouth sores, or other signs of infection.

Serious cardiac arrhythmias, including Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, have been reported in patients treated with Imbruvica. The risk is more likely in those with cardiac risk factors, high blood pressure, and acute infections. High blood pressure occurred in 19% of people prescribed Imbruvica in clinical trials. Monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias (such as palpitations, dizziness, dizziness when standing, and shortness of breath) and report these to your doctor immediately. Your doctor will check your blood pressure regularly.

Blood count abnormalities, including Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia, have occurred in people receiving Imbruvica. Your doctor will perform regular blood counts and interrupt treatment, reduce the dose, or discontinue treatment as warranted.

Using Imbruvica may increase your risk of developing other cancers, such as non-melanoma skin cancer. Ask your doctor about this risk and what skin symptoms to watch for. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Tumor Lysis syndrome has been reported infrequently with Imbruvica. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle cramps. If you have any symptoms like these, report them to your doctor.

Imbruvica can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, including malformations. Women should use effective contraception and avoid becoming pregnant while taking Imbruivca and for 1 month after the last dose. Men should avoid fathering a child during treatment and for 1 month after the last dose.

What other drugs will affect Imbruvica

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Moderate to strong CYP3A Inhibitors, such as clarithromycin, Nefazodone, itraconazole, ketoconazole, atazanavir, ritonavir, grapefruit juice, erythromycin, or verapamil

Moderate to strong CYP3A inducers, such as glucocorticoids, rifampin, Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin. Avoid coadministration.

Other drugs may interact with ibrutinib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

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