Ibritumomab Tiuxetan injection

What is ibritumomab tiuxetan injection?

IBRITUMOMAB TIUXETAN is a chemotherapy drug. This medicine allows radiation to target specific kinds of white blood cells. It is used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• blood disorders

• heart disease

• infection (especially a virus infection like chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

• irregular heartbeat

• kidney disease

• low blood counts

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma

• an unusual or allergic reaction to ibritumomab, rituximab, albumin, mouse proteins, medicines used during bone scans, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic by a specially trained health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What drug(s) may interact with ibritumomab tiuxetan?

• medicines for growth factor treatment

• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin

• vaccines

Talk to your doctor or health care professional before taking any of these over-the-counter medicines:

• acetaminophen

• aspirin

• ibuprofen

• ketoprofen

• naproxen

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking ibritumomab tiuxetan?

Report any side effects that you notice during your treatment right away, such as changes in your breathing, fever, chills, dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects are more common with the first dose.

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood work. Report any other side effects. The side effects can continue after you finish your treatment. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medicine.

Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from using ibritumomab tiuxetan?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• low blood counts - this medicine may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.

• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine

• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine

• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusually weak or tired, fainting spells, lightheadedness

• breathing problems

• chest pain

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• mouth sores

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or other health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• anxiety

• diarrhea

• flushing

• headache

• loss of appetite

• muscle aches

• nausea, vomiting

• night sweats

Where can I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.