Lartruvo drug: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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Lartruvo (Olaratumab) is used to treat soft tissue sacroma, a rare type of malignant cancer. It belongs to the class of monoclonal antibody drugs, which work by slowing or stopping the growth of malignant cancer cells.

1. What is Lartruvo?

What does Lartruvo do?
Lartruvo (also known as Olaratumab) is usually indicated for the treatment of a certain type of cancer, which is soft tissue sacroma. Lartruvo belongs to the class of monoclonal antibody drugs, which work by slowing or stopping the growth of malignant cancer cells.
Please carefully weigh the benefits and risks before treating with Lartruvo, because in Europe this drug is being withdrawn from the market due to lack of effectiveness in a clinical study.

2. How to use Lartruvo correctly?

Lartruvo is usually given by slow infusion into the patient's vein as directed by the doctor, usually on days 1 and 8 of each treatment cycle. The infusion time is usually at least 60 minutes. Dosage is based on weight and response to treatment.
Lartruvo may cause serious infusion reactions during or shortly after use. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines (eg, Dexamethasone, Diphenhydramine) before each treatment to help prevent these side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any symptoms of an infusion reaction such as flushing, shortness of breath, fever, chills, or dizziness.

3. Side effects of the drug Lartruvo

Like many other cancer drugs, Lartruvo can also cause some side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, dry eyes, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, easy bruising, easy bleeding, numbness, tingling, or loss of appetite. Where nausea and vomiting can be severe, a doctor's prescription is needed to alleviate this side effect. Patients can also divide meals into small meals, not eat before treatment or limit activities to reduce the above reactions. You may also have pain or sores in your mouth and throat. Therefore, when brushing your teeth, you should be careful, gentle, avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol and should rinse your mouth regularly with salt water. Eat soft, moist foods. When taking cancer drugs, patients may experience temporary hair loss. There is no need to worry because the hair will grow back to normal after the treatment is over. Lartruvo may decrease the body's ability to fight infections. Therefore, if you have any signs of infection such as sore throat, fever, chills, etc., you should inform your doctor.

4. Notes when using the drug Lartruvo

When using Lartruvo, patients should note the following:
Before taking Lartruvo, tell your doctor if you are allergic to its ingredients or any other allergic condition. You should also tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have had recent infection problems. Lartruvo may make you more susceptible to infections or may worsen any existing infections. Therefore, when using Lartruvo, you should avoid contact with people who are suffering from diseases such as flu, measles, chickenpox. While taking Lartruvo, you should not be vaccinated without the consent of your doctor, avoid contact with people who have just received the live attenuated vaccine. To reduce the risk of bruising, bleeding, or injury, use caution when using sharp objects such as razors, nail clippers, and high-impact activities. Because Lartruvo can harm an unborn baby, consult your doctor about using forms of birth control while taking Lartruvo and for 3 months after stopping treatment. If you become pregnant while taking Lartruvo, talk to your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits of the drug. It is not known whether Lartruvo passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to young children, breast-feeding while using this medicine and for 3 months after stopping treatment is not recommended. It is advisable to consult a doctor before breast-feeding.

5. Preservation and handling in case of overdose, missed dose

If Lartruvo overdose and symptoms of unconsciousness or difficulty breathing appear, the patient should be taken to the emergency room. When using Lartruvo drug, patients are encouraged to perform periodic physical examination and do medical tests such as: Analysis of complete blood count; pregnancy test... to check the side effects of the drug and the effectiveness of the treatment. To make treatment as smooth as possible, keep taking Lartruvo exactly as scheduled. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor immediately to set up a new dosing schedule. Do not give a double dose to catch up. Lartruvo should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not freeze or shake the medicine. Keep Lartruvo out of the reach of children and the reach of pets. In summary, to ensure the effectiveness of treatment and avoid the side effects of Lartruvo, patients should carefully read the instructions before using or as directed by the doctor or pharmacist. In case the use of Lartruvo drug is not effective, the patient should go to the medical facility for re-examination and treatment.

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Reference source: Webmd