Obinutuzumab Injection
What is this medication?
OBINUTUZUMAB (OH bi nue TOOZ ue mab) treats leukemia and lymphoma. It works by blocking a protein that causes cancer cells to grow and multiply. This helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells. It is a monoclonal antibody.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): GAZYVA
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Heart disease
- Infection, especially a viral infection, such as hepatitis B
- Lung or breathing disease
- Take medications that treat or prevent blood clots
- An unusual or allergic reaction to obinutuzumab, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breastfeeding
How should I use this medication?
This medication is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a care team in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
Keep appointments for follow-up doses as directed. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What may interact with this medication?
- Live virus vaccines
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Report any side effects that you notice during your treatment right away, such as changes in your breathing, fever, chills, dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects are more common with the first dose.
Visit your care team for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood work. Report any other side effects. The side effects of this medication can continue after you finish your treatment. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.
Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This medication decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
This medication may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your care team if you notice any unusual bleeding.
Do not become pregnant while taking this medication or for 6 months after stopping it. Inform your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your care team or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medication or for 6 months after stopping it.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, small red or purple spots on skin, unusual bruising or bleeding
- Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
- Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, confusion or trouble speaking
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
- Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decrease in the amount of urine, dark urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, confusion, muscle pain or cramps, fast or irregular heartbeat, joint pain
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Bone, joint, or muscle pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
This medication is only given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Additional Information From Chemocare.com About Obinutuzumab
Obinutuzumab Self-Care Tips:
- You will be closely monitored during the infusion, report immediately any pain, burning or swelling at the infusion site, chest pain or palpitations; difficulty breathing or swallowing; chills. These may be signs of an infusion reaction. If signs of reaction occur, the infusion is stopped. In most cases, the infusion can be restarted at a slower rate once symptoms subside.
- Drink 2 to 3 quarts of fluid for the first 48 hours after each infusion, unless you were told to restrict your fluid intake.
- This medication infrequently causes nausea. But if you should experience nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small, frequent meals. Sucking on lozenges and chewing gum may also help.
- You may experience drowsiness or dizziness; avoid driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until your response to the drug is known.
- In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be avoided. You should discuss this with your doctor.
- Maintain good nutrition.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
When to Contact Your Doctor or Health Care Provider:
Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4° F (38° C), chills
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, closing up of the throat, chest tightness, hoarseness, swelling of facial features, hives, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin (possible allergic reaction)
- Confusion
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain (possible signs of infection)
- Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication)
- Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period)
- Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
- Signs of liver problems, such as dark urine, fatigue, not feeling hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light colored stools, or yellow skin or eyes
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools or urine
- Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities)
- Mouth sores (painful redness, swelling or ulcers)
- Fast heartbeat
- Bad headache
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
