Kymriah

Generic Name: Tisagenlecleucel (tis a jen lek LOO sel)
Brand Name: Kymriah

Medically reviewed on July 4, 2018

Uses of Kymriah:

• It is used to treat a type of leukemia.
• It is used to treat a type of lymphoma.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Kymriah?

• If you have an allergy to Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) or any part of Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Kymriah?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert for at least 8 weeks after getting Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel). If you have any questions, call your doctor or pharmacist.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel).
• You may have more of a chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu. Some infections have been very bad and even deadly.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• If you have had hepatitis B before or carry the virus, talk with your doctor. Drugs like this one can cause the virus to become active. This can lead to very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems.
• Hepatitis and HIV testing will be done before taking Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel).
• Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Some types of vaccines must not be given for at least 6 weeks before starting Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel), during care, and for some time after care ends.
• This medicine may add to the chance of getting some types of cancer. Talk with the doctor.
• Do not donate blood, organs, or tissues or cells. Talk with your doctor to see when you can do these things after getting Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel).
• This medicine is taken with other drugs. Be sure you know about the warnings, benefits, and risks of these other drugs. Talk with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about any of the drugs.
• If you are able to get pregnant, a pregnancy test will be done to show that you are NOT pregnant before starting Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel). Talk with your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Kymriah) best taken?

Use Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
• Other drugs may be given before Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) to help avoid side effects.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds; coughing up blood; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; vaginal bleeding that is not normal; bruises without a reason or that get bigger; or any bleeding that is very bad or that you cannot stop.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, change in eyesight.
• Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, seizures, not hungry, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Fast breathing.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• A fast heartbeat.

What are some other side effects of Kymriah?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Not hungry.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Hard stools (constipation).
• Belly pain.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Pain in arms or legs.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Back pain.
• Stuffy nose.
• Weight loss.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Kymriah?

• If you need to store Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer information use

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) is refilled. If you have any questions about Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel), please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer