Description
Tebentafusp-tebn injection is used to treat uveal melanoma (eye cancer) that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery in patients who are HLA-A*02:01 positive. Your doctor will perform a test to check for the HLA-A*02:01 gene to make sure this medicine is right for you.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Solution
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of tebentafusp-tebn injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of tebentafusp-tebn injection in the elderly.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Liver disease—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.
Proper Use
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many unwanted effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. The medicine must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 15 to 20 minutes. The injection is usually given every week.
Your doctor will check you closely for at least 16 hours after receiving the first 3 treatments and for at least 30 minutes after future treatments with this medicine.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can bear children, your doctor may give you a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine to make sure you are not pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment with this medicine and for at least 1 week after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine may cause cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which may be life-threatening and requires immediate attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have fever, chills, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, skin rash, trouble breathing, or tiredness or weakness.
This medicine may cause skin reactions. Check with your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, or swelling of the skin.
Check with your doctor right away if you have dark urine, clay-colored stools, stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin. These may be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Blurred vision
- chills
- confusion
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- faintness
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- feeling of warmth
- fever
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- muscle or joint pain
- nausea
- nervousness
- pounding in the ears
- rash, itching, or skin swelling
- redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
- redness of the skin
- sweating
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- unusually warm skin
- vomiting
Rare
- Anxiety
- chest pain
- clay colored stools
- cough
- dark urine
- loss of appetite
- problems with movement, walking, or speech
- seizures
- stomach pain or tenderness
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
- trouble breathing
- yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Back pain
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- constipation
- difficulty in moving
- dry skin
- joint pain or swelling
- lightening of the normal skin color
- loss or thinning of the hair
- muscle aches, cramps, pain, or stiffness
- night sweats
- pain in the arms or legs
- runny nose
- shivering
- sore throat
- trouble sleeping
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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