Ofatumumab
Description
Ofatumumab is an anticancer medicine which used alone or in a combination with other medications to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia which is a cancer of the blood and the bone marrow in patients who have not adequately responded to treatment with fludarabine and alemtuzumab. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Ofatumumab
- Blurred vision
- Body pain
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Cough
- Difficulty in breathing
- Black or Tarry stools
- Dizziness
- Ear congestion
- Fainting
- Fast heartbeat
- Headache
- Itching
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Unusual weight gain or loss
- Ulcer, sores, or white spots in the mouth
Uses of Ofatumumab
What is it prescribed for?
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- 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.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Ofatumumab or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Infections
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of severe and potentially life-threatening infections. Report any unusual symptoms such as a fever, diarrhea, sore throat, pain or burning during urination, etc. to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases.
Infusion related reactions
This medicine has been associated with severe infusion-related reactions, characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, rigors, low blood pressure, hives, swelling, etc. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision, etc. in some patients. Hence, it is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Neutropenia
This medicine may cause neutropenia (decrease in white blood cells) in some patients and may increase the risk of serious infections. Report any unusual symptoms such as a fever, chills, sore throat, etc. to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of blood cell counts is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Thrombocytopenia
This medicine may cause thrombocytopenia (decrease in platelet count) in some patients. Close monitoring of platelet counts is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss any scheduled session, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered 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 the 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
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Infliximab
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Topotecan
Disease interactions
Tumor Lysis Syndrome
This medicine should be used with extreme caution due to the increased risk of tumor lysis syndrome. This risk is especially higher in patients suffering from electrolyte abnormalities and kidney diseases. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Hepatitis B
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of Hepatitis B infection due to the increased risk of recurrent outbreaks and worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate corrective measures, and replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Cardiac Dysfunction
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from diseases of the heart due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of heart function and vital signs is recommended for such patients. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine prevents the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
CD20 monoclonal antibodies
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Ema.europa.eu. 2019 [cited 26 March 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2019 [cited 26 March 2019]. Available from:
Ofatumumab - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 26 March 2019]. Available from:
Ofatumumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 26 March 2019]. Available from:
DailyMed - Arzerra - ofatumumab injection, solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 26 March 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 29 May 2019
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.