Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Columvi

Descriptions


Glofitamab-gxbm injection is used to treat certain types of large B-cell lymphoma (including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL] and large B-cell lymphoma [LBCL]) that has come back or did not respond to previous treatment in patients who have received 2 or more other medicines that did not work well. Lymphoma is a type of cancer where the body makes abnormal white blood cells.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Solution

Before Using

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 this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine 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 glofitamab-gxbm 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 glofitamab-gxbm 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.

Drug Interactions

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.

Other Interactions

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 medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use

Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. It must be given slowly, so the needle will have to stay in place for at least 2 to 4 hours. Your treatment schedule is divided into cycles that are usually 21 days long.

You will receive this medicine on a "step-up dosing schedule" on Day 8 and 15 of your first cycle. You will receive your full dose 1 week after the second step-up dose (Day 1 of cycle 2). Your doctor will ask you to stay for 24 hours after receiving this medicine.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Your may also receive extra fluids and other medicines (eg, allergy medicine, gout medicine, steroid, fever medicine, viral medicine) 30 to 60 minutes before starting treatment with this medicine.

Your doctor may also give you other cancer medicine (eg, obinutuzumab) on Day 1 of cycle 1 before starting treatment with this medicine.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests are needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and for 1 month after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and nervous system problems, including immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). These may be life-threatening and require immediate attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have agitation, back pain, blurred vision, burning, throbbing, or stabbing pain, coma, confusion, double vision, drowsiness, feeling restless, fever, chills, hallucinations, headache, hearing loss, irritability, jerking movements, mood or mental changes, muscle spasms, nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, rigid muscles, seizures, skin rash, stiff neck, tremor, trouble breathing, trouble speaking, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

This medicine may cause serious infections. Check with your doctor right away if you have fever or chills, confusion, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain, cough, pain or swelling at the site of the tumor, tender or swollen lymph nodes, or trouble breathing. These may be symptoms of serious or worsening of tumor.

This medicine may cause dizziness, confusion, tremors, or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  1. Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  2. burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
  3. chest pain
  4. cough
  5. difficulty in moving
  6. dizziness or lightheadedness
  7. feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
  8. headache
  9. joint or bone pain
  10. muscle cramps, pains, or stiffness
  11. pain or swelling at the site of the tumor
  12. rapid or irregular heartbeat
  13. rapid weight gain
  14. sensation of spinning
  15. swollen joints
  16. tender or swollen lymph nodes
  17. tingling of the hands or feet
  18. trembling and shaking of hands
  19. trouble breathing
  20. unsteadiness or awkwardness
  21. unusual weight gain or loss
  22. weakness
  23. weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet

Less common

  1. Black, tarry stools
  2. chest tightness
  3. confusion as to time, place, or person
  4. fever or chills
  5. hallucinations
  6. holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
  7. lower back or side pain
  8. mental depression or anxiety
  9. nightmares or unusually vivid dreams
  10. painful or difficult urination
  11. pale skin
  12. sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
  13. sneezing
  14. sore throat
  15. ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  16. unusual bleeding or bruising
  17. unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
  18. unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Back pain
  2. blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
  3. constipation
  4. cracked, dry, or scaly skin
  5. diarrhea
  6. neck pain
  7. pain in the arms or legs
  8. stomach pain
  9. swelling

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/glofitamab-gxbm-intravenous-route/description/drg-20552467