ADCETRIS ratings & reviews

ADCETRIS is a drug with the active ingredient brentuximab vedotin, which is a CD30-directed antibody and microtubule inhibitor. It is formulated as a sterile, preservative-free lyophilized powder for injection. Upon reconstitution, the solution contains brentuximab vedotin at 5 mg/mL. Key inactive ingredients include trehalose dihydrate, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid monohydrate, and polysorbate 80.

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, confusion or trouble speaking
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
• Lung injury—shortness of breath or trouble breathing, cough, spitting up blood, chest pain, fever
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
• Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Stomach bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds
• Sudden or severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting
• Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decrease in the amount of urine, dark urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, confusion, muscle pain or cramps, fast or irregular heartbeat, joint pain
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

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

• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

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

• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low white blood cell levels
• Lung disease
• Tingling of the fingers or toes or other nerve disorder
• An unusual or allergic reaction to brentuximab vedotin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Bleomycin

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Ketoconazole
• Rifampin
• St. John's Wort

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.

You may need blood work while taking this medication.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

In some patients, this medication may cause a serious brain infection that may cause death. If you have any problems seeing, thinking, speaking, walking, or standing, tell your care team right away. If you cannot reach your care team, urgently seek other source of medical care.

This medication may increase blood sugar. The risk may be higher in patients who already have diabetes. Ask your care team what you can do to lower your risk of diabetes while taking this medication.

Talk to your care team if you or your partner may be pregnant. You will need a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 2 months after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you. Use a condom during sex and for 4 months after stopping therapy. Tell your care team right away if you think your partner might be pregnant.

Do not breast-feed while taking this medication.

This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

This medicine can cause severe, life-threatening neurologic problems.