Atezolizumab
Description
Atezolizumab is an anticancer medicine used alone or in combination with other medicines for the treatment of various types of cancers related to lungs, urinary bladder, breast and liver.
Atezolizumab works by binding to a specific protein in your immune system (defence system), thus preventing immune cells from attacking cancer cells.
Atezolizumab may show some side effects like fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, etc. Inform your doctor if these side effects persist for a long time or worsen.
Atezolizumab is given in a hospital under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is given as an intravenous injection (injection given into the vein). Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose and duration of therapy.
Atezolizumab is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age. This medicine may possibly interact with other medicines. Inform your doctor about any other health issues you have or if you are undergoing any medical treatment before receiving this injection. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Atezolizumab
- Fever
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Lack of energy
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Back pain
- Headache
- Low blood pressure
Uses of Atezolizumab
What is it prescribed for?
- Urothelial carcinoma
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Atezolizumab to show its action is not clinically established. However, you need to take it for several weeks and months to see the effects.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Atezolizumab remains active in the body is around 162 days.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Atezolizumab.
- Usage in pregnancy?Atezolizumab is not recommended for use in pregnant women because its effects are not known but it is possible that it could affect your foetus. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known if Atezolizumab passes into breast milk. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Atezolizumab if you are allergic to it. Allergic reactions are rare; however, contact a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms like rashes, itching/swelling (particularly of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, and breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Atezolizumab is not recommended for use in pregnant women because its effects are not known but it is possible that it could affect your foetus. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Atezolizumab passes into breast milk. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Pneumonitis
Atezolizumab should be used with caution since it may increase the risk of immune-related pneumonitis (swelling in your lung tissue).
Liver Disease
Atezolizumab should be used with caution if you have liver problems due to the increased risk of its side effects.
Kidney Disease
Atezolizumab should be used with caution if you have kidney problems due to the increased risk of its side effects.
Colitis
Colitis is inflammation (swelling) of the colon (large intestine). Atezolizumab should be used with caution because it may increase the risk of immune-related colitis or diarrhoea (loose stools).
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of Atezolizumab may rarely cause drowsiness or dizziness. It is advised that you do not perform activities such as driving vehicles or operating machines if you experience any of these symptoms during the treatment with this medicine.
Use in Children
Atezolizumab is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of its use are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Since Atezolizumab is given by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss an appointment for a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Since Atezolizumab is given in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Etanercept
Adalimumab
Baricitinib
Tofacitinib
Certolizumab
Fingolimod
Golimumab
Disease interactions
Endocrinopathy
Take Atezolizumab with caution if you have endocrinopathy, a condition related to hormonal problems like thyroid disorders, type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent diabetes), diabetic ketoacidosis (a condition in which the body produces too much blood acids). This medicine may worsen your condition. Inform your doctor if you notice any signs and symptoms of endocrinopathies.
Meningitis
Meningitis is a condition in which there is swelling of the protective layer covering your brain and spinal cord. Take Atezolizumab with caution if you have meningitis because it may worsen your condition.
Infections
Take Atezolizumab with caution if you have severe infections like urinary tract infections (an infection in any part of the urinary system, the kidneys, bladder or urethra), pneumonia (infection in lungs), sepsis (a complication of an infection), herpes encephalitis (infection in the brain), and tuberculosis (bacterial infection in lungs). This medicine may lead to retroperitoneal haemorrhage ( bleeding into the space of the abdominal cavity) which can worsen your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Atezolizumab is usually given in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Inform the doctor if you have a known history of allergy to this medicine.
Report to your doctor all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements as well as your medical conditions before receiving this medicine.
Consult your doctor immediately if you develop any signs and symptoms of an infection such as shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of appetite, and dark urine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Atezolizumab works by enhancing your immune system against the growth of cancer cells.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Tecentriq 1,200 mg concentrate for solution for infusion - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 13 September 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 13 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - TECENTRIQ- atezolizumab injection, solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 13 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 22 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.