Monjuvi

Generic name: Tafasitamab
Drug class: CD19 monoclonal antibodies

Usage of Monjuvi

Monjuvi is an antibody that targets the CD19 antigen.

Monjuvi is used in combination with lenalidomide to treat diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in adults who cannot receive a stem cell transplant.

Monjuvi is given after other cancer treatments did not work or have stopped working.

Monjuvi was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on an "accelerated" basis. In clinical studies, some people responded to this medicine, but further studies are needed.

Monjuvi side effects

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

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel chilled, warm, sweaty, anxious, or have a headache, trouble breathing, or pounding in your neck or ears.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

cough with mucus, chest tightness, shortness of breath;

fever above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C);

pain or burning when you urinate;

easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin;

low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet; or

low white blood cell counts - fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing.

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

Common Monjuvi side effects may include:

low blood cell counts;

fever;

feeling weak or tired;

cough;

cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;

loss of appetite, diarrhea; or

swelling in your hands or lower legs.

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 FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Monjuvi

Tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection, or if you have recently had an infection.

Tafasitamab may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine and for at least 3 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Monjuvi is sometimes used in combination with lenalidomide. Both men and women using lenalidomide must use effective birth control. Even one dose can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects or death of a baby if the mother or the father is taking lenalidomide at the time of conception or during pregnancy.

Carefully follow all instructions about the use of birth control while you are using Monjuvi in combination with other medicines.

Do not breastfeed while receiving Monjuvi, and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

Relate drugs

How to use Monjuvi

Usual Adult Dose of Monjuvi for Lymphoma:

12 mg/kg IV (based on actual body weight; Administer in combination with lenalidomide 25 mg orally for a maximum of 12 cycles, then continue this drug as monotherapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity: CYCLE 1: 12 mg/kg IV on Days 1, 4, 8, 15, and 22 CYCLE 2: 12 mg/kg IV on Days 1, 8, 15, and 22 CYCLE 3: 12 mg/kg IV on Days 1 and 15 -NOTE: Each therapy cycle is 28 days. -For the first infusion, use an infusion rate of 70 mL/h for the first 30 minutes, then increase the rate so that the infusion is administered within 1.5 to 2.5 hours; administer all subsequent infusions within 1.5 to 2 hours. Comments: -Refer to the lenalidomide prescribing information for lenalidomide dosage recommendations. -Administer premedications 30 minutes to 2 hours prior to starting infusion to minimize infusion-related reactions. -Premedications may include acetaminophen, histamine H1 receptor antagonists, histamine H2 receptor antagonists, and/or glucocorticosteroids. -For patients not experiencing infusion-related reactions during the first 3 infusions, premedication is optional for subsequent infusions. -If a patient experiences an infusion-related reaction, administer premedications before each subsequent infusion. Use: This drug in combination with lenalidomide, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, and who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)

Warnings

Monjuvi affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have signs of infection (fever, cough with mucus, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or pain or burning when you urinate).

Monjuvi may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while using Monjuvi and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

Carefully follow all instructions about the use of birth control while you are using Monjuvi in combination with lenalidomide.

What other drugs will affect Monjuvi

Other drugs may interact with tafasitamab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.