Trabectedin Injection

What is this medication?

TRABECTEDIN (tra BEK te din) treats sarcoma, a cancer that occurs in bone and connective tissues, such as fat, muscle, and blood vessels. It works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Yondelis

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
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Low blood cell levels, such as low white cells, platelets, or red blood cells
  • Muscle aches or weakness
  • An unusual or allergic reaction to trabectedin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

A special MedGuide will be given to you before each treatment. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

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. 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?

  • Antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
  • Boceprevir
  • Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, telithromycin
  • Certain medications for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
  • Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
  • Conivaptan
  • Grapefruit juice
  • Nefazodone
  • Rifampin
  • St. John's wort
  • Telaprevir

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?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.

This medication may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.

This medication can cause serious allergic reactions. To reduce your risk you may need to take medication before treatment with this medication. Take your medication as directed.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. 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. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

Avoid taking medications that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.

Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy or for 2 months after the last dose. A negative pregnancy test is required before starting this medication. A reliable form of contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 2 months after the last dose. Talk to your care team about reliable forms of contraception. Do not father a child while taking this medication and for 5 months after the last dose. Use a condom during sex during this time period.

Do not breast-feed while taking this medication.

This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.

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
  • Capillary leak syndrome—stomach or muscle pain, unusual weakness or fatigue, feeling faint or lightheaded, decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet, trouble breathing
  • Heart failure—shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness or fatigue
  • Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
  • 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
  • Muscle injury—unusual weakness or fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine, decrease in amount of urine
  • Painful swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin, blisters or sores at the infusion site
  • Stomach pain, unusual weakness or fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever that lasts longer than expected
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

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 given in a hospital or clinic. It 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.

© 2024 Elsevier/Gold Standard (2023-04-26 00:00:00)


Additional Information From Chemocare.com About Trabectedin

Self-Care Tips:

  • Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
  • You may be at risk of infection so try to avoid crowds or people with colds and those not feeling well, and report fever or any other signs of infection immediately to your health care provider.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Use an electric razor and a soft toothbrush to minimize bleeding.
  • Avoid contact sports or activities that could cause injury.
  • 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.
  • In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. You should discuss this with your doctor.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • 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) or higher, chills (possible signs of infection)
  • Any leaking of trabectedin outside of your vein or around the catheter site during the infusion, or if you notice any redness, swelling, itching or discomfort at the infusion site at any time. If trabectedin leaks into the tissues around the infusion site there is potential for tissue damage
  • Chest discomfort or fast, irregular heart beat
  • Shortness of breath

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:

  • Severe muscle pain or weakness
  • Swelling of legs, ankles or feet
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • Right sided upper abdominal pain
  • Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication)
  • Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period)
  • Problems concentrating, confusion, sleepiness
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools or urine
  • Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities)
  • Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
  • Signs of an infection (sore throat; ear or sinus pain; cough; more sputum or change in color of sputum; mouth sores or pain with urination)
  • Redness or irritation of the palms of hands or soles of the feet
  • Burning, tingling or numbness of fingers or toes
  • Signs of low potassium (muscle pain or weakness; muscle cramps)

Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.


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