What is Obinutuzumab?      Â
This is a prescriptive medicine administered in tandem with chlorambucil to cure chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Often it can be given in combination with some cancer medicines to remedy follicular lymphoma (a sort of non-Hodgkin lymphoma) or to defer the advancement of the disease. The medication may also be utilized for purposes not mentioned in this concise clinical guide.
What are the common conditions in which Obinutuzumab prescribed?
This medicine is suggested to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia and to cure or delay follicular lymphoma.
How should I take Obinutuzumab?
This medicine is administered as an intravenous injection, which will be provided by your healthcare provider. Obinutuzumab is received in a 28-day therapy cycle.
You may be required to take the medicine only on specific days of each cycle. The duration of your treatment will be decided by your doctor. The day you get Obinutuzumab injection, expect to remain in the hospital setting or clinic for the whole day. Physician may prescribe other medicines to preclude side effects or allergic responses. Continue the use of these medicines unless your doctor asks you not to. With this injection treatment, you may encounter loss in blood cell counts, which will be examined frequently.
Based on the results, the cancer treatment could be postponed as well. If you’ve ever faced hepatitis B, using this prescription can exacerbate your virus or make it active. You may have to undertake liver function tests during this medicine’s use and after many months after you discontinue it.
When you should not take Obinutuzumab?
In case you ever suffered from Hepatitis B, it may get worse or active due to Obinutuzumab infusion.
If you are allergic to this drug, or had serum sickness, avoid receiving it.
Inform your doctor if you have ever faced:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure);
- hepatitis B or other liver issues;
- kidney conditions;
- an electrolyte imbalance (like low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); or
- if you suffer from an active infection.
Avoid this injection if you are pregnant as it may have harmful effects on unborn baby. Employ effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication and for at least 6 months after the last inoculation. Do not suckle your baby while receiving this drug and for at least 6 months post your last dosage.
What are the possible side effects of Obinutuzumab?
If you experience any allergic symptoms to baclofen such as, hives, hard breathing; puffiness on your face, thumping heartbeats, rashes gasping, joint pain, fever, lips, tongue, or throat, seek immediate medical assistance. This drug can potentially incite severe brain infection, leading to disability or even death of the person. In case you observe signs like unclear speech, thought, muscle movement or vision get to the doctor urgently. This is because the symptoms may aggravate rapidly. If you get the symptoms such as redness, tingling, nausea, headache, fast heartbeat, dizziness, fatigue, discomfort, diarrhoea, difficult breathing, vomiting, chest discomfort, chills, fever, sudden warmth, or rashes, inform your doctor. These signs can occur during the infusion of the drug or within 24 hours.
Some other possible side effects may happen like:
- Red or purple blemishes beneath the skin, easy bruising, uncommon bleeding,
- weakness, cough, diarrhea, burning sensation while urinating;
- right-sided upper stomach aches, lack of appetite, paleness of your skin or eyes;
- shakiness, balance loss or difficult coordination;
- confusion, vision problems, speech or walking difficulties;
- low white blood cell counts: fever, mouth sores, skin sores, strep throat, cough, problematic breathing; or
- symptoms of tumour cell breakdown: fatigue, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, fast or lagging heart rate, tingly sensation in your hands and feet or about your mouth.
The doctor may defer your cancer therapy or even permanently stop it owing to particular side effects. While getting Obinutuzumab inoculations, avoid receiving a live vaccine. Such vaccines involve rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), or zoster (shingles), measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio.
Usual side effects may comprise:
- a response awhile or just after receiving the injection;
- fatigue;
- low white blood cell counts;
- diarrhoea, constipation;
- joint or muscle pain; or
- Cold signs such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat.
However, these all are not the only possible side- effects, as it may show in other symptoms as well. Ask your doctor for clinical guidance about its side effects.
What to do if I miss the dose?
Tell your doctor if you miss any appointment for the injection.
Common Drug Interaction with Obinutuzumab
Apprize your doctor regarding other medications you use, particularly:
- a blood thinner: warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven or
- Anti-blood clotting drugs: cilostazol, dipyridamole, ticagrelor, ticlopidine, and related ones.
This however is not a complete list of drug interactions with the medication. This is because other medications may interact with Obinutuzumab, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Bottom Line
Obinutuzumab is an intravenous injection used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia and follicular lymphoma. Being a strict prescription medicine, it is recommended to use it only under medical guidance. Otherwise, you may bear serious consequences in the form of allergies or other side effects.
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