Empliciti 300mg Inj, 1 Vial
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided to you. It is essential to follow the instructions carefully. This medication is administered as an infusion into a vein over a period of time. Your healthcare team may also give you other medications to help manage any side effects that may occur during the infusion.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
If you need to store this medication at home, consult with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to determine the best way to store it.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to find out what to do next. Specifically, if you miss a dose of the steroid medication dexamethasone or if it is discontinued, discuss the situation with your doctor to determine the best course of action.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Report any signs of infection (fever, chills, cough, sore throat) immediately.
- Report any signs of an infusion reaction (chills, fever, rash, difficulty breathing) during or after the infusion.
- Maintain good hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.
- Use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose if you are a woman of childbearing potential.
- Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention right away:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of infection, including:
+ Fever
+ Chills
+ Severe sore throat
+ Ear or sinus pain
+ Cough
+ Increased or changed sputum production
+ Pain while urinating
+ Mouth sores
+ Wounds that won't heal
Signs of liver problems, such as:
+ Dark urine
+ Fatigue
+ Decreased appetite
+ Upset stomach or stomach pain
+ Light-colored stools
+ Vomiting
+ Yellow skin or eyes
Signs of electrolyte problems, including:
+ Mood changes
+ Confusion
+ Muscle pain, cramps, or spasms
+ Weakness
+ Shakiness
+ Balance changes
+ Abnormal heartbeat
+ Seizures
+ Loss of appetite
+ Severe upset stomach or vomiting
Signs of high or low blood pressure, such as:
+ Severe headache or dizziness
+ Fainting
+ Changes in vision
Signs of high blood sugar, including:
+ Confusion
+ Drowsiness
+ Unusual thirst or hunger
+ Frequent urination
+ Flushing
+ Rapid breathing
+ Fruity-smelling breath
Dizziness or fainting
Abnormal heartbeat (fast or slow)
Changes in mole color or size
Skin lumps or growths
Changes in vision
Chest pain or pressure
Mood changes
Night sweats
Unexplained bruising or bleeding
Shortness of breath
Swelling in the arms or legs
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. However, many people experience no side effects or only mild ones. If you notice any of the following side effects or any others that concern you or don't go away, contact your doctor or seek medical attention:
Feeling tired or weak
Diarrhea or constipation
Abnormal burning, numbness, or tingling sensations
Nose or throat irritation
Common cold symptoms
Decreased appetite
Arm or leg pain
Headache
Vomiting
Weight loss
Bone pain
* Muscle spasms
This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Fever or chills (signs of infection or infusion reaction)
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest pain, tightness in chest (infusion reaction)
- Rash, itching, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat (infusion reaction)
- Unusual bleeding or bruising (may be related to combination therapy)
- Severe fatigue or weakness
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced as a result of the allergy.
If you are breastfeeding, as you should not breastfeed while taking this medication.
To ensure safe use, tell your doctor and pharmacist about:
All medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural products, and vitamins.
Any existing health problems, as this medication may interact with other drugs or health conditions.
Before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication, including this one, consult with your doctor to confirm it is safe to do so. This will help prevent potential interactions and ensure the safe use of this medication.
Precautions & Cautions
You may be at risk for severe allergic reactions or adverse effects during or within 24 hours of receiving this drug. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Taking this medication may increase your risk of developing infections, some of which can be severe or life-threatening. To minimize this risk, practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently and avoid close contact with individuals who have infections, colds, or the flu.
There is also a potential increased risk of developing certain types of cancer associated with this medication. Discuss this risk with your doctor to understand the benefits and risks.
Regular blood tests will be necessary to monitor your condition while taking this drug. Your doctor will provide guidance on the frequency of these tests. Additionally, inform all your healthcare providers and laboratory personnel that you are taking this medication, as it may affect the results of certain lab tests.
If you have diabetes, it is crucial to closely monitor your blood sugar levels while taking this medication.
If you become pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant while taking this drug, immediately contact your doctor to discuss the potential risks and necessary precautions.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- No specific symptoms of overdose have been reported in clinical trials.
What to Do:
There is no specific antidote for elotuzumab overdose. In case of an overdose, patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of adverse reactions and appropriate symptomatic and supportive treatment should be instituted. Call 1-800-222-1222 (Poison Control).
Drug Interactions
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To assess baseline hematologic status and monitor for myelosuppression from combination therapy.
Timing: Prior to initiation of treatment.
Rationale: To assess baseline hepatic function and monitor for potential hepatotoxicity from combination therapy.
Timing: Prior to initiation of treatment.
Rationale: To assess baseline renal function.
Timing: Prior to initiation of treatment.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Periodically, as clinically indicated and per combination therapy guidelines.
Target: Within normal limits or acceptable for patient's condition.
Action Threshold: Significant cytopenias (e.g., neutropenia, thrombocytopenia) may require dose modification or delay of combination agents.
Frequency: During and for at least 2 hours after infusion, especially for the first dose.
Target: N/A
Action Threshold: Mild reactions may require slowing infusion rate; severe reactions require stopping infusion and supportive care.
Frequency: Ongoing throughout treatment.
Target: N/A
Action Threshold: Prompt evaluation and treatment of suspected infections.
Symptom Monitoring
- Infusion reactions (chills, fever, dyspnea, rash, hypotension, chest pain, wheezing, angioedema)
- Signs of infection (fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, malaise)
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Peripheral neuropathy (often related to combination therapy)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Based on its mechanism of action, Empliciti can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
It is not known whether elotuzumab is excreted in human milk. Human IgG is known to be excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly patients (âĨ65 years) and younger patients (<65 years) in clinical trials. No dose adjustment is required based on age.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Premedicate patients with dexamethasone, an H1-blocker (e.g., diphenhydramine), and acetaminophen prior to each Empliciti infusion to reduce the risk of infusion reactions.
- Infusion reactions are common, especially with the first dose. Monitor patients closely during and for at least 2 hours after the infusion.
- Empliciti is always administered in combination with other agents for multiple myeloma (e.g., lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or pomalidomide and dexamethasone).
- Patients may experience an increased risk of infections, particularly upper respiratory tract infections and pneumonia. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection.
- Elotuzumab is an IgG kappa monoclonal antibody and may interfere with serological testing (e.g., serum protein electrophoresis, immunofixation) for multiple myeloma, potentially leading to false positive results. This interference should be considered when interpreting patient response assessments.
Alternative Therapies
- Proteasome inhibitors (e.g., Bortezomib, Carfilzomib, Ixazomib)
- Immunomodulatory drugs (e.g., Lenalidomide, Pomalidomide, Thalidomide)
- Alkylating agents (e.g., Melphalan, Cyclophosphamide)
- Corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone)
- Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (e.g., Panobinostat)
- Nuclear export inhibitors (e.g., Selinexor)
- BCMA-directed therapies (e.g., Belantamab mafodotin, CAR T-cell therapies like Ide-cel, Cilta-cel)