FDA Approves New Treatment Option for Previously Untreated Advanced Follicular Lymphoma
November 16th, 2017
On November 16, 2017, the FDA approved Gazyva® (obinutuzumab) in combination with chemotherapy, followed by Gazyva alone in those who responded, for people with previously untreated advanced follicular lymphoma (stage II bulky, III or IV).
Important Safety Information
What is the most important safety information I should know about GAZYVA?
Tell your doctor right away about any side effect you experience. GAZYVA can cause
side effects that can become serious or life-threatening, including:
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): Hepatitis B can cause liver failure and death. If you have a
history of hepatitis B infection, GAZYVA could cause it to return. You should not
receive GAZYVA if you have active hepatitis B liver disease. Your doctor or
healthcare team will need to screen you for hepatitis B before, and monitor you
during and after, your treatment with GAZYVA. Sometimes this will require treatment
for hepatitis B. Symptoms of hepatitis include: worsening of fatigue and yellow
discoloration of skin or eyes
- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): PML is a rare and serious
brain infection caused by a virus. PML can be fatal. Your weakened immune system
could put you at risk. Your doctor will watch for symptoms. Symptoms of PML
include: confusion, difficulty talking or walking, dizziness or loss of balance, and
vision problems
Who should not receive GAZYVA?
- Do NOT receive GAZYVA if you have had an allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis or
serum sickness) to GAZYVA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had an
allergic reaction to obinutuzumab or any other ingredients in GAZYVA in the past
What are the additional possible serious side effects of GAZYVA?
Tell your doctor right away about any side effect you experience. GAZYVA can cause
side effects that may become severe or life-threatening, including:
- Infusion-Related Reactions (IRRs): These side effects may occur during or within
24 hours of any GAZYVA infusion. Some IRRs can be serious, including, but not
limited to, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), acute life-threatening breathing
problems, or other life-threatening IRRs. If you have a reaction, the infusion is either
slowed or stopped until your symptoms are resolved. Most patients are able to
complete infusions and receive medication again. However, if the IRR is lifethreatening, the infusion of GAZYVA will be permanently stopped. Your healthcare team will take steps to help lessen any side effects you may have to the infusion process. You may be given medicines to take before each GAZYVA treatment. Symptoms of IRRs may include: fast heartbeat, tiredness, dizziness, headache, redness of the face, nausea, chills, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and chest discomfort
- Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Serum Sickness: Some people receiving
GAZYVA may have severe or life-threatening allergic reactions. This reaction may
be severe, may happen during or after an infusion, and may affect many areas of the
body. If an allergic reaction occurs, your doctor will stop the infusion and
permanently discontinue GAZYVA
- Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): Tumor lysis syndrome, including fatal cases, has
been reported in patients receiving GAZYVA. GAZYVA works to break down cancer
cells quickly. As cancer cells break apart, their contents are released into the blood.
These contents may cause damage to organs and the heart and may lead to kidney
failure requiring the need for dialysis treatment. Your doctor may prescribe
medication to help prevent TLS. Your doctor will also conduct regular blood tests to
check for TLS. Symptoms of TLS may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and
tiredness
- Infections: While you’re taking GAZYVA, you may develop infections. Some of
these infections may be fatal and severe, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you
think you have an infection. Patients administered GAZYVA in combination with
chemotherapy, followed by GAZYVA alone are at a high risk of infections during and
after treatment. Patients with a history of recurring or chronic infections may be at an
increased risk of infection. Patients with an active infection should not be treated
with GAZYVA. Patients taking GAZYVA plus bendamustine may be at higher risk for
fatal or severe infections compared to patients taking GAZYVA plus CHOP or CVP
- Low White Blood Cell Count: When you have an abnormally low count of infectionfighting white blood cells, it is called neutropenia. While you are taking GAZYVA,
your doctor will do blood work to check your white blood cell count. Severe and lifethreatening neutropenia can develop during or after treatment with GAZYVA. Some
cases of neutropenia can last for more than one month. If your white blood cell count
is low, your doctor may prescribe medication to help prevent infections
- Low Platelet Count: Platelets help stop bleeding or blood loss. GAZYVA may
reduce the number of platelets you have in your blood; having low platelet count is
called thrombocytopenia. This may affect the clotting process. While you are taking
GAZYVA, your doctor will do blood work to check your platelet count. Severe and
life-threatening thrombocytopenia can develop during treatment with GAZYVA. Fatal
bleeding events have occurred in patients treated with GAZYVA. If your platelet
count gets too low, your treatment may be delayed or reduced
- Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): Fatal and severe DIC has been
reported in people receiving GAZYVA. DIC is a rare and serious abnormal blood
clotting condition that should be monitored and managed by your doctor as it can
lead to uncontrollable bleeding
The most common side effects of GAZYVA in CLL were infusion-related reactions and
low white blood cell counts.
The most common side effects seen with GAZYVA in a study that included relapsed or
refractory NHL, including FL patients were infusion-related reactions, fatigue, low white
blood cell counts, cough, upper respiratory tract infection, and joint or muscle pain.
The most common side effects seen with GAZYVA in a study that included previously
untreated FL patients were infusion-related reactions, low white blood cell count, upper
respiratory tract infections, cough, constipation and diarrhea.
What other information should I tell my doctor before receiving GAZYVA?
You should talk to your doctor about:
- Immunizations: Before receiving GAZYVA therapy, tell your healthcare provider if
you have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. People who are
treated with GAZYVA should not receive live vaccines
- Pregnancy: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think that you might be pregnant,
or plan to become pregnant. GAZYVA may harm your unborn baby. Speak to your
doctor about using GAZYVA while you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor or your
child’s doctor about the safety and timing of live virus vaccinations to your infant if
you received GAZYVA during pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential should
use effective contraception while taking GAZYVA and for 6 months after your
GAZYVA treatment
- Breastfeeding: Because of the potential risk of serious side reactions in breastfed
children, women should not breastfeed while taking GAZYVA and for 6 months after
your last dose
Tell your doctor about any side effects.
These are not all of the possible side effects of GAZYVA. For more information, ask
your doctor or pharmacist.
GAZYVA is available by prescription only.
You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088, or
www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.
Please see the full Prescribing Information, including BOXED
WARNINGS, for additional Important Safety Information.