Why is this medicine prescribed?
Datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection is used to treat certain types of breast cancer and lung cancer. Datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection is in a class of medications called antibody drug conjugates. It works by stopping cancer cell growth.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection comes as a powder to be mixed with a liquid to be given by intravenous infusion (infusion into the vein) by a healthcare provider at a hospital or clinic. It is given every 3 weeks. Your doctor will decide how many infusions you should receive.
Your first infusion will be given over 90 minutes. If you have no problems with your first infusion, your next infusions may be given over 30 minutes. Your doctor or nurse will monitor you for 1 hour after your first 2 infusions. If you tolerate those infusions, they will monitor you for 30 minutes after each infusion.
Datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection may cause serious reactions during or shortly after the infusion of the medication. You will be given other medicines to treat or help prevent reactions to datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms during and after your infusion: chills or shaking; itching; rash; flushing; shortness of breath; wheezing; dizziness; feeling faint; back or neck pain; nausea; vomiting; or fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat. Your doctor may need to slow down your infusion or delay or permanently stop your treatment if you experience these side effects.
Your doctor may also temporarily or permanently stop your treatment, or treat you with other medications if you experience other side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection.
Use a preservative-free lubricant eye drop several times a day while receiving datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection to help prevent side effects that can affect the eyes.
You will be given the Medication Guide when you begin treatment with datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection and each time you receive the medication. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm to obtain the Medication Guide.What special precautions should I follow?
Before receiving datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a respiratory or breathing condition such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or emphysema; corneal disease or other eye diseases; kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses. You may be told to avoid using contact lenses while receiving datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You or your partner should not become pregnant while receiving datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection. You may need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment. If you can become pregnant, use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for 7 months after your last dose. If your partner can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control during your treatment and for 4 months after your last dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you or your partner becomes pregnant while receiving datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection, call your doctor immediately. Datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection may harm the fetus.
- do not breastfeed while receiving or for 1 month after your last dose of datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
If you miss an appointment for a schedule infusion of datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection, call your doctor right away to reschedule.
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- constipation
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- hair loss
- rash
- itching
- decreased appetite
- muscle and bone pain
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- shortness of breath, painful breathing, cough, fever
- dry eye, eye redness, eye pain, excessive tearing or discharge from the eye, eyelid pair or irritation or swelling, blurred vision, reduced vision, sensitivity to light, feeling like something is in your eye or scratchy eye
- sores or ulcers in mouth such as on the gums, tongue, lips or cheeks; pain when chewing or swallowing
Datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone ( 1-800-332-1088).What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order a lab test before you begin your treatment to see whether your cancer can be treated with datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection. Your doctor may also order certain lab tests to check your body's response to datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk injection.
Your doctor will send you to get an eye exam before, during and after treatment with datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk. It is important to keep these appointments to monitor the effect of datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk on the eyes closely.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.