Y-90 Zevalin

Generic name: Ibritumomab

Usage of Y-90 Zevalin

Y-90 Zevalin is a protein that targets white blood cells in the body. When this medicine is attached to a radioactive chemical, the radiation is delivered directly to the tumor (lymphoma).

Y-90 Zevalin is used in combination with other medicines to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Y-90 Zevalin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Y-90 Zevalin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Life-threatening reactions may occur during the injection or within 24 hours afterward. Tell your caregivers or seek medical attention if you feel light-headed or short of breath, or if you have chest tightness or pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections or skin reactions may occur during treatment with Y-90 Zevalin, and up to 4 months afterward. Call your doctor right away if you have:

redness, ulcers, or skin changes where the medicine was injected;

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

unusual weakness or tiredness;

low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, weakness, cold hands and feet; or

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

Common side effects of Y-90 Zevalin may include:

nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea;

fever, cough;

stuffy nose, sore throat, sinus pain; or

feeling weak or tired.

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 Y-90 Zevalin

You should not be treated with Y-90 Zevalin if you are allergic to Y-90 Zevalin, or to radioactive chemicals or mouse proteins.

Tell your doctor if you have ever HAD:

any type of infection;

bleeding or blood clotting problems;

breathing problems; or

if you take a blood thinner (Warfarin, Coumadin) or other medicine to prevent blood clots.

Using Y-90 Zevalin may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia or preleukemia. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Y-90 Zevalin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or father is using this medicine. Keep using birth control for at least 12 months after your last dose.

Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Y-90 Zevalin.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 6 months after your last dose.

How to use Y-90 Zevalin

Y-90 Zevalin is used in combination with rituximab (Rituxan) and a radioactive chemical. This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when Y-90 Zevalin is injected.

You may be given medicine to prevent certain side effects while you are receiving Y-90 Zevalin. Take all of the medicines your doctor has prescribed.

Y-90 Zevalin can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You will need frequent medical tests.

Warnings

Serious and sometimes fatal infections or skin reactions may occur during treatment with Y-90 Zevalin, and up to 4 months afterward. Call your doctor right away if you have: fever, chills, mouth sores, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath, easy bruising or bleeding, or skin changes where the medicine was injected.

What other drugs will affect Y-90 Zevalin

Other drugs may affect Y-90 Zevalin, 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.

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