Axicabtagene ciloleucel
Generic name: axicabtagene ciloleucel [ AKS-ee-KAB-ta-jeen-SYE-loe-LOO-sel ]
Brand name: Yescarta
Dosage form: intravenous suspension (-)
Drug class:Miscellaneous antineoplastics
What is axicabtagene ciloleucel?
Axicabtagene ciloleucel is an immunotherapy medicine used to treat large B-cell lymphoma in adults. axicabtagene ciloleucel is given after at least two other treatments have failed.
Axicabtagene ciloleucel is made using white blood cells removed from blood that is drawn from your body through a vein.
Axicabtagene ciloleucel is available under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks and benefits of this medicine.
Axicabtagene ciloleucel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
A serious side effect of this medicine is called cytokine release syndrome, which causes fever, chills, trouble breathing, vomiting, and other symptoms. Your caregivers will have medication available to quickly treat this condition if it occurs.
Axicabtagene ciloleucel can also cause life-threatening nerve problems. Tell your caregivers or seek emergency medical attention if you have problems with speech, problems with thinking or memory, confusion, or a seizure.
Before taking this medicine
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
an active or chronic infection;
memory problems;
a seizure;
liver or kidney disease;
a stroke; or
if you have received a vaccine in the past 2 weeks.
Women may need pregnancy testing before receiving axicabtagene ciloleucel. You may also need to use birth control to prevent pregnancy during and shortly after treatment with axicabtagene ciloleucel and chemotherapy.
If you receive axicabtagene ciloleucel during pregnancy, your baby's blood may need to be tested after it is born. This is to evaluate any effects the medicine may have had on the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
How is axicabtagene ciloleucel given?
Axicabtagene ciloleucel is available only at an authorized hospital or clinic, and must be given by specially trained healthcare professionals.
Axicabtagene ciloleucel is given after a procedure called leukapheresis (LOO-kuh-fuh-REE-sis).
During leukapheresis, some of your blood is collected through a small tube (catheter) placed into a vein. The catheter is connected to a machine that separates your white blood cells f...
