What is Kadcyla? Uses and dosages

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Kadcyla is known as a monoclonal antibody combination and microtubule inhibitor, and is used to treat some types of cancer, tumors that produce more than usual.

1. What is Kadcyla?

The drug Kadcyla (generic name ado trastuzumab emtansine), is effective in the treatment of certain types of breast cancer. Kadcyla is used to treat tumors that produce more than usual of a substance called the HER2 protein.
Kadcyla is known as a monoclonal antibody conjugate and microtubule inhibitor. Kadcyla works by attaching to HER2 cancer cells and stopping them from dividing and growing. It can also kill cancer cells or send signals to the body.

2. How to use Kadcyla

Kadcyla medicine is prepared as a solution for injection, in a clear colorless vial. The drug is administered by slow intravenous route. Dosage, rate of injection and duration of injection are given as directed by the doctor, based on body weight, medical condition and response to treatment, usually every 3 weeks.
Patients need to use Kadcyla regularly to get the most benefit, do not miss any dose. To help remember, mark the days on the calendar when you need to get your medication. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines such as: Acetaminophen, diphenhydramine for you to take before you start treatment with Kadcyla, to help prevent serious side effects.

3. Undesirable effects when using the drug Kadcyla

Some unwanted effects may occur when using Kadcyla drugs include:
Diarrhea; At the injection site: Redness, irritation,... Dizziness; Muscle pain, joint pain, back pain; Stomach pain; Constipation ; Difficulty sleeping; Nausea, vomiting; Mouth Sores; Dry mouth ; Change the taste; Anorexia. Serious side effects that can occur while taking Kadcyla include: Bone pain, severe cough, swelling of the hands and feet, unusual tiredness, severe headache, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, change mental status changes, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, easy bruising and bleeding,...
Kadcyla can cause serious bleeding so get medical help right away. immediately if symptoms appear such as: Weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, vision changes, confusion, severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, vomiting blood or looking like coffee grounds, black stools, ..
Kadcyla may decrease your ability to fight infections. This makes the person more likely to have a serious infection or makes any existing infections worse. Therefore, the doctor should be informed of signs of infection such as: Fever, chills, cough, persistent sore throat, ...
Kadcyla medicine can sometimes cause serious infusion reactions with problems lung problem. Therefore, patients should inform their doctor immediately if they experience side effects while taking Kadcyla or within 24 hours after such as: Fever, chills, flushing, wheezing, shortness of breath, headache. , nausea, dizziness, fainting, rash, ...
Before prescribing, doctors always weigh the benefits of Kadcyla more than the risk of side effects, however, in some cases Using Kadcyla medicine can still occur unwanted effects.

4. Some notes when using Kadcyla

Some notes when using Kadcyla medicine include:
Inform your doctor of allergy history to Kadcyla or Trastuzumab deruxtecan, Trastuzumab emtansine, Trastuzumab, Trastuzumab hyaluronidase. Because Kadcyla medicinal products may contain inactive ingredients that can cause reactions or other serious problems. Inform your medical history, especially of: Previous cancer treatments (including radiation therapy to the chest), current infections, heart disease, high blood pressure, lung problems , previous severe reaction to monoclonal antibody treatment, liver disease (including a rare liver condition called nodular regenerative hyperplasia). Kadcyla may make you more susceptible to infections or may worsen any existing infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who are suffering from infections that can be transmitted to others such as chickenpox, flu, measles, ... Do not self-immunize during treatment with Kadcyla without the consent of your doctor. doctor. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid contact with people who have recently received live attenuated vaccines such as tuberculosis vaccine, influenza vaccine inhaled through the nose,... Limit and be careful when using sharp objects such as knives, scissors, ... to reduce the risk of bruising or injury. At the same time, you should not play contact sports or vigorous exercise. During the use of Kadcyla, patients should limit alcoholic beverages or other stimulants to reduce the risk of dizziness. To reduce nausea and vomiting caused by Kadcyla, eating small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity can help alleviate some of these effects. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. Before surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about the medicinal products you are using including over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Kadcyla , especially heart problems such as heart failure . So consider using Kadcyla for the elderly. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not use Kadcyla because it can harm the baby. Men should use contraception while taking the drug and for 4 months after stopping treatment. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of Kadcyla if your partner becomes pregnant. For women who are breast-feeding, Kadcyla may pass into breast milk and may affect the newborn baby. Therefore, breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Kadcyla and for 7 months after the last dose. In addition, tests such as heart exam, platelet count test, liver function assessment, bilirubin level, etc. should be done before you start using Kadcyla and during treatment. It is important to get treatment and medication on schedule. If you miss a dose, ask your healthcare provider immediately for a new dosing schedule. Never use more than twice the dose as prescribed.

5. Drug interactions

Drug interactions can decrease the effect of Kadcyla, or increase the effect of unwanted effects. Tell the doctor about all other medications the patient takes, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's consent. After stopping treatment with trastuzumab emtansine, wait at least 7 months to start using anthracycline. Other drugs may affect the removal of trastuzumab emtansine from your body, which may affect how trastuzumab emtansine works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), clarithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors (such as atazanavir, ritonavir), nefazodone, telithromycin, among others. Do not use the product trastuzumab, trastuzumab deruxtecan, or trastuzumab hyaluronidase while using the Kadcyla product.

6. How to store Kadcyla medicine

Kadcyla drugs are circulated and preserved in hospitals and clinics. Therefore, the drug Kadcyla is not stored at home.

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Reference source: Webmd.com