What is Margenza?
Margenza is a human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) inhibitor that slows or stops cell growth. Margenza injections are used as a part of other chemotherapy drugs to treat HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to different parts of your organs (metastatic). Margenza can be used by those who have had at least two chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. Your doctor will conduct tests to determine if the cancer is caused by the abnormal "HER2/neu" gene (a specific genetic marker).
Warnings
Margenza may cause heart problems. Consult your physician immediately if you notice symptoms like rapid or pounding heartbeats, a cough and breathlessness, swelling, or rapid weight growth. Margenza could cause harm to an unborn baby if taken while pregnant. Effective contraception should be utilized throughout treatment and for 4 months following the dose.
Before you take this drug
Margenza can affect a newborn baby. Use effective birth control to stop pregnancy and notify your doctor if you find yourself pregnant. Continue using birth control for at least 4 months following your last dose. You might need to undergo a pregnancy test that is negative prior to beginning this treatment. It is not recommended to breastfeed when taking Margenza for a minimum of 4 months following your last dose. Consult your physician about any potential risks. Inform your doctor if you have had any heart issues.
How to take Margenza?
Margenza is injected as an infusion into a vein. Your healthcare provider will offer the injection. Margenza injections are typically given every three weeks. Follow the instructions of your doctor for dosing extremely carefully. Margenza injections should be administered slowly. The infusion may take anywhere from 30 to two hours to finish. It is often administered just after receiving another chemotherapy drug. Your heart's activity may have to be monitored by using an electrocardiograph (sometimes known as the EKG) as well as ultrasound. Treatments for cancer could be delayed or completely stopped, depending on the results.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer:
15 mg/kg IV once every 3 weeks
Comment: Infuse the initial dose for 120 minutes and each dose for the next 30 minutes.
This drug can be given immediately following the conclusion of chemotherapy.
Continue treatment until the disease progresses or becomes unacceptably toxic.
All therapeutic proteins, including this one, can trigger an immune reaction.
Use: When combined with chemotherapy, for the treatment of adults suffering from metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have had two or more previous anti-HER2 regimens, at a minimum one of which was used to treat metastatic cancer.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Consult your physician for the proper procedure in the event that you don't make an appointment to get your injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Because Margenza is administered by a medical specialist in a medical setting, the risk of overdose is less likely to occur.
What should be avoided?
Follow your doctor's advice regarding any limitations on foods, drinks, or activities.
Side effects of Margenza
Get immediate medical attention. Get medical attention immediately if you show symptoms of an allergy reaction with Margenza, such as hives, breathing problems, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue. There are some side effects that can happen when you inject. Inform your doctor that you are feeling sick, dizzy and nauseated, lightheaded and sweaty, cold, feverish, or experiencing headaches, joint pain, fast heartbeats, breathing problems, or swelling on your face. See your doctor right away. If you are suffering from:
- New or worsening cough.
- The appearance of blisters or ulcers inside your mouth, swollen or red gums, or trouble swallowing.
- Heart issues Heartbeats that pound, dizziness, swelling on your lower back or face Rapid weight increase (more than five pounds within a single day) and feeling tired.
- Hand-foot disorder: blisters, pain bleeding, or an extremely rash on your hand's palms or on the foot's soles.
- Low white blood cells The symptoms include fever, skin sores, mouth open sores, sore throat, cough, and trouble breathing.
Common Margenza side effects may include:
- Being tired or weak.
- Stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite.
- Diarrhea, constipation.
- Fever.
- Hair loss.
- Headache.
- Trouble breathing, cough.
- The sensation of pain, numbness, or tingling sensations in your legs or arms.
- Joint or muscle pain.
- Hand-foot syndrome.
- Adverse reactions to the injection.
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical effects. You can report adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
Margetuximab may have lasting effects on the body. For at least four months following the final dose of margetuximab, you shouldn't be treated with any other cancer medications. Inform your doctor about your treatment with this drug. Other drugs can interfere with margetuximab. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about your current medications as well as any medications you are about to start or stop taking.
