What is Blincyto?
Blincyto is used to treat a specific kind of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which is a form of blood cancer where a specific type of blood white cell expands in a way that is out of control.
Blincyto can be used to treat children and adults suffering from B-cell precursor acute leukemia (ALL), which is in remission when only a few cancer cells remain within your patient's body (minimal remaining disease). Blincyto can also be used to treat children and adults suffering from B-cell precursor ALL that has recurred or was not responding to treatment previously. Blincyto is prescribed after other treatments for cancer have not been successful.
Warnings
Certain side effects can occur during the course of a Blincyto injection. Contact your physician immediately if you experience dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, chills, or fever, or if you experience symptoms such as a migraine, a skin rash, breathing problems, or swelling on your face. A severe side effect of Blincyto is known as the cytokine release syndrome, which causes chills, fever, difficulty breathing, nausea, and other symptoms. Your doctor will have medications readily available to manage this condition in the event of
Additionally, inform your family members or seek medical attention in an emergency when you experience trouble speaking, confusion, losing balance, or a seizure (convulsions). These may be indications of a nerve problem that is life-threatening.
Before you take this drug
Blincyto is not recommended. If you are allergic to blinatumomab.
To ensure that Blincyto is not harmful to you, inform your doctor whether you suffer from:
- Nerve disorders (neurologic disorders) and neurologic disorders, including seizures and confusion, as well as trouble speaking or issues with balance.
- Radiotherapy or chemotherapy to your brain.
- Any kind of disease, any type of infection.
- An allergic reaction to the injection of blinatumomab.
Before you start using Blincyto, consult your physician, whether you've recently had a vaccination or are scheduled to receive a booster dose. You might need to undergo an unfavorable pregnancy test prior to beginning this treatment. Do not take Blincyto when you are pregnant. It can harm the unborn baby or cause birth problems. Utilize effective birth control methods to stop pregnancy when you're using Blincyto and at least for the first 48 hours after the last dose. You shouldn't use this medicine to breastfeed, at least for 48 hours following your previous dose.
How to take Blincyto?
Follow and read carefully any instructions for use that are included in your medication. Do not take Blincyto when you don't know the entire procedure for use. Consult your physician or pharmacist for any concerns. Blincyto is typically prescribed throughout the day. The doctor will advise you on the frequency with which you should use this medication and for how long. Don't alter the settings of your infusion pump unless you have the guidance of a qualified healthcare expert. It is possible to receive medications to avoid certain adverse reactions while receiving Blincyto.
Blincyto is administered continuously throughout the day by using an injection pump. Your healthcare provider will administer the injection. The medicine is injected via a tube that is placed in the vein. The Blincyto first dose is given in the setting of a clinic or hospital to swiftly deal with any severe negative side effects. You might also have to attend the hospital when you begin taking the medication again after not using it for a short period of time. The injections you receive will be made by a pharmacy, and you will receive the medication inside IV bags. The IV bags should be kept in the original packaging; do not take the bags out of the packaging. Keep it in a refrigerator, and keep it away from light. Do not keep it in the freezer. Each IV bag is prepared and unpacked by a health professional.
If it's time to replace your IV bags, contact your doctor or pharmacist if they do not have a new bag to connect to the pump. Keep your skin clean around the IV catheter (IV) to minimize the chance of contracting an infection. Blincytosis increases the chance of contracting an infection or bleeding by altering the way your immune system functions. You'll need regular medical tests. The treatment for cancer may be delayed based on the results.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Because infusion pump dosing and programming are handled by a health specialist, you're less likely to miss an infusion pump dose. Contact your pharmacist to request an update if you did not get your IV bags on time.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. The symptoms of an overdose can include tremors, fever, and headaches.
What should be avoided?
Don't receive the "live" vaccine while using Blincyto, as you may contract a serious infection. The live vaccines are measles, rubella, mumps (MMR), and polio. the typhoid virus, rotavirus, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles). Discuss with your doctor when it is safe to receive a vaccination after you have stopped taking this medication. Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you understand the extent to which bronchitis can affect you. Your reaction could be affected.
Side effects of Blincyto
Certain side effects can occur during the course of the injection. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience nausea, weakness, lightheadedness, chills, or fever, or if you experience an injury to your muscles, a headache, wheezing, a skin rash, breathing problems, or swelling on your face. See a doctor immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you notice signs of an allergy reaction, such as hives, breathing problems, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue.
Be sure to inform your caregivers or seek medical emergency assistance. If you show symptoms of nerve issues that could be life-threatening, for example:
- Slurred speech, confusion.
- Balance issues.
- A seizure (convulsions).
- Loss of consciousness.
A severe side effect of blinatumomab is cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are experiencing symptoms of this condition such as fever, chills, difficulty breathing, nausea, body aches, diarrhea, or feeling lightheaded. Your caretakers will be able to prescribe medication to treat CRS as quickly as it occurs.
See your doctor right away. If you are suffering from:
- Intense discomfort in your stomach that extends to your back, nausea, and a fast heart rate.
- Lower potassium Leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering around your chest, a rise in thirst or urination, numbness or tenderness in muscles, or a limb sensation.
- Low blood cells, such as chills, fever, fatigue, skin sores, mouth sores, easy bleeding, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, being lightheaded or sluggish.
- Indications of the breakdown of tumor cells in the form of weakness, confusion, and muscle cramps. nausea, vomiting, quick and low heart rates, and decreased urination, sensations of tingling in your hands, feet, or within your mouth.
Some of the common side-effects associated with Blincyto include:
- Reactions to the injection.
- Low blood cell count.
- Infections, fevers.
- Headache.
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Others could happen. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
Other medications can interfere with blinatumomab. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Discuss with your doctor all the medicines you are currently taking as well as any medications you are about to start or stop taking.
