Cemiplimab-rwlc (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 3, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Libtayo

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Cemiplimab

Uses for cemiplimab-rwlc

Cemiplimab-rwlc injection is used to treat a type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that has spread (metastatic) or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation (locally advanced).

Cemiplimab-rwlc injection is also used to treat a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced) or that has spread (metastatic) in patients who have received previous treatment with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI) or who cannot receive treatment with a HHI.

Cemiplimab-rwlc injection is also used as a first-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has not spread and cannot be removed by surgery or radiation (locally advanced), or that has spread (metastatic) in patients whose tumors express high PD-L1 and do not have an abnormal EGFR, ALK , or ROS1 gene. Your doctor will perform a test to check for the PD-L1 tumor before you receive cemiplimab-rwlc.

Cemiplimab-rwlc is an antineoplastic agent (cancer medicine). It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body.

Cemiplimab-rwlc is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.

Before using cemiplimab-rwlc

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 cemiplimab-rwlc, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to cemiplimab-rwlc 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 cemiplimab-rwlc 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 cemiplimab-rwlc 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.

Interactions with medicines

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.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

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 m...