Carfilzomib Injection : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Carfilzomib injection is used alone and in combination with dexamethasone or lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone to treat people with multiple myeloma (a type of cancer of the bone marrow) who have already been treated with other medications. Carfilzomib is in a class of medications called proteasome inhibitors. It works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells in your body.

How should this medicine be used?

Carfilzomib comes as a powder that is mixed with a liquid that is injected into a vein (into a vein). Carfilzomib is given by a doctor or nurse in a doctor’s office or clinic, usually over a period of 10 to 30 minutes. It can be given 2 days in a row each week for 3 weeks followed by a 12-day rest period or it can be given once a week for 3 weeks followed by a 13-day rest period. The length of treatment will depend on how well your body responds to the medicine.

Carfilzomib injection can cause serious or life-threatening reactions up to 24 hours after receiving a dose of the medicine. You will receive certain medications to help prevent a reaction before receiving each dose of carfilzomib. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms after treatment: fever, chills, joint or muscle pain, redness or swelling of the face, swelling or tightness of the throat, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, or tightness or pain in the chest.

Be sure to tell your doctor how you feel during your treatment. Your doctor may stop your treatment for a time or decrease your dose of carfilzomib if you experience side effects from the medicine.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving carfilzomib injection,

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to carfilzomib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in carfilzomib injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, and injections) or prednisone (Rays). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure, a heart attack, irregular heartbeat, or other heart problems; hypertension; or a herpes infection (cold sores, shingles, or genital sores). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease or are on dialysis.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you plan to have a child. You or your partner must not become pregnant while receiving carfilzomib. If you are a woman, you should take a pregnancy test before starting treatment, and you should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with carfilzomib and for 6 months after your final dose. If you are a man, you and your partner must use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with carfilzomib and for 3 months after your final dose. If you or your partner become pregnant while receiving this medicine, call your doctor. Carfilzomib can harm the fetus.
  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while you are receiving carfilzomib injection and for 2 weeks after your final dose.
  • You should know that carfilzomib may make you drowsy, dizzy or lightheaded, or cause you to pass out. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Drink plenty of fluids before and every day during your treatment with carfilzomib, especially if you vomit or have diarrhea.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Carfilzomib injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • tiredness
  • headache
  • weakness
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • muscle spasm
  • pain in the arms or legs

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the HOW and SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS sections, call your doctor:

  • cough
  • dry mouth, dark urine, decreased sweating, dry skin, and other signs of dehydration
  • hearing problems
  • swelling of the feet of legs
  • pain, tenderness, or redness in one leg
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • chest pain
  • pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
  • nausea
  • extreme tiredness
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • lack of energy
  • loss of appetite
  • pain in the upper right part of the stomach
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • flu-like symptoms
  • bloody or black, tarry stools
  • rash of pinpoint-sized reddish-purple spots, usually on the lower legs
  • blood in the urine
  • decreased urination
  • seizures
  • vision changes
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • confusion, memory loss, dizziness or loss of balance, difficulty talking or walking, changes in vision, decreased strength or weakness on one side of the body

Carfilzomib injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

  • chills
  • dizziness
  • decreased urination

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure regularly and order certain tests to check your body’s response to carfilzomib.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about carfilzomib injection.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

  • Kyprolis®

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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