Daratumumab
Generic name: daratumumab [ DAR-a-TOOM-ue-mab ]
Brand name: Darzalex
Dosage form: intravenous solution (20 mg/mL)
Drug class:CD38 monoclonal antibodies
What is daratumumab?
Daratumumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks a certain protein in the body that can affect tumor cell growth. Monoclonal antibodies are made to target and destroy only certain cells in the body. This may help to protect healthy cells from damage.
Daratumumab is used to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer).
Daratumumab is sometimes given after other cancer treatments did not work or have stopped working.
Daratumumab is sometimes used in combination with other cancer medicines plus a steroid medicine.
Daratumumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
If you need to receive a blood transfusion, be sure to tell your caregivers that you are being treated with daratumumab.
If you've ever had hepatitis B, using daratumumab can cause this virus to become active or get worse. Tell your doctor if you don't feel well and you have right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Carefully follow all instructions about the use of birth control while you are using daratumumab in combination with other medicines.
Before taking this medicine
You should not be treated with daratumumab if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a hepatitis B;
a breathing disorder; or
herpes zoster (also called shingles).
Daratumumab may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using daratumumab and for at least 3 months after your last dose.
Daratumumab is sometimes used in combination with lenalidomide, pomalidomide, or thalidomide. Both men and women using these other drugs must use effective birth control. Even one dose can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects or death of a baby if the mother or the father is taking lenalidomide, pomalidomide, or thalidomide at the time of conception or during pregnancy.
Carefully follow all instructions about the use of birth control while you are using daratumumab in combination with other medicines.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
