When you or a loved one is prescribed the drugs `Daratumumab` and `Hyaluronidase` as a treatment for cancer, you may feel a little intimidated by the names. It is normal to have many questions like what kind of medicine is this, what will happen to the body, and are there any side effects. So today, let's talk about this medicine, as if your own friend, a doctor, were explaining these things to you in a simple way.
What is Daratumumab and Hyaluronidase?
Simply put, this is a specific treatment that kills cancer cells. Here, two types of drugs work together. Let's understand them separately.
- Daratumumab: This is a very clever drug. Scientifically speaking, it is a `(Monoclonal Antibody)`. Imagine, don't our armies have special forces that can identify enemies and attack them only? Similarly, this drug called `Daratumumab` identifies a specific protein on the surface of cancer cells in our body, attaches to those cells only, and helps destroy them. Due to this, the damage to healthy cells is very minimal. This is the specialty of this treatment.
- Hyaluronidase: This is the "helper" of the main drug. The drug `Daratumumab` is given as an injection under the skin. So, this drug `Hyaluronidase` helps the drug to be absorbed into the tissues under the skin. It does a job like loosening the soil a little before watering it. This allows the main drug to enter the body more efficiently.
This treatment is mainly used for cancer conditions such as ``Multiple Myeloma'' and ``Light-chain Amyloidosis''.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
It is extremely important for your doctor to know your complete health history to decide if this treatment is right for you and how to administer it safely. Therefore, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Heart disease: If you have heart disease, this medicine may affect your heart.
- Existing infections: If you have any infections in your body, especially viral infections like chickenpox, herpes, or hepatitis B, these infections may recur because this medicine suppresses your immune system.
- Lung or respiratory diseases: It is important to report any breathing difficulties such as asthma.
- If you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant: This is very important. You should avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping treatment. This may cause serious harm to the unborn baby.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: It is not advisable to breastfeed your baby while taking this medicine.
- Allergies to other medications or foods: If you have had an allergy to any medication in the past, tell us about it.
It is for your own safety to talk to the doctor without hiding this information.
How is this medicine given?
This is not a medicine you can take home. It is injected under your skin (subcutaneously) by a trained medical professional in a hospital or clinic. So you don't need to worry about the dosage or how it is given.
However, it is very important to come for treatment exactly on the dates and times given by the doctor. It is very important to maintain the treatment cycle without breaking it during cancer treatment. If you are unable to come on the scheduled day, call your doctor immediately and inform him/her.
What if I take too much medicine?
This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you suspect that something has happened, inform the staff immediately. If you have any concerns about any medicine, you can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . In case of an emergency, it is important to go to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Things to be especially careful about during treatment
1. Blood Cross-Matching
This is the most important and special thing to know about this medicine. This medicine called `Daratumumab` can affect the results of some tests that check your blood type. Imagine, your blood type is B+. A test done while taking this medicine may show it differently. This condition can last for about 6 months after the last dose of the medicine.
So what's the significance of this? If you need a blood transfusion, this can be a barrier to finding the right blood match.
So:
- Your doctor will check your blood type and compatibility and keep records before starting this treatment.
- You should inform any doctor or hospital that you are taking this medication, and for 6 months after taking it, especially before donating blood.
2. Allergic Reactions
Some people can have a severe allergic reaction to this medicine. To reduce this risk, your doctor may give you other medicines (such as Piriton) before giving you this vaccine. So follow the instructions exactly.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. But not everyone gets them. Some are serious, some are normal. The most important thing is to be aware of these and let your doctor know right away if you notice anything serious.
| Side effects that should be reported to your medical team immediately | |
|---|---|
| Side effect | Description |
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Blood clotting | Chest pain, difficulty breathing, leg pain, swelling, or warmth. |
| Reactions to the vaccine | Dizziness, rapid heartbeat, fainting, headache, increased blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, wheezing. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Decreased red blood cells | Difficulty breathing, fainting, extreme fatigue, paleness. |
| Other serious symptoms | Blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, unusual bleeding or bruising. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) | |
|---|---|
| Back pain | Constipation or diarrhea |
| Numbness or pain in the limbs | Redness and soreness at the injection site |
| Muscle pain | Swelling of ankles, feet, hands |
| Extreme fatigue | Insomnia |
Take-Home Message
- `Daratumumab` is a ``targeted therapy`` that attacks cancer cells. ``Hyaluronidase`` is an adjuvant drug that helps with that.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications you are taking. Don't hide anything.
- Most importantly: If you ever have to donate blood, tell any doctor or hospital that you are taking this medication. This can save your life.
- Avoid pregnancy completely during treatment and for 3 months after stopping.
- Seek medical advice immediately if you experience any serious side effects such as severe allergic reactions, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
- If you have any other concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor and resolve them.
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