Have you been prescribed the drug Elotuzumab for your Multiple Myeloma cancer? Or is someone close to you about to start this treatment? It's normal to feel a little scared and nervous when you hear a name like this. But when you know exactly what kind of drug this is, what it does, and what you need to be careful about, that fear disappears. So today, let's talk about this drug Elotuzumab in a very simple way, in a way that you can understand.
What kind of medicine is Elotuzumab?
Simply put, Elotuzumab is a special drug that targets and attacks cancer cells. It belongs to a class of drugs called ``Monoclonal Antibody.'' Imagine that our body's immune system has soldiers, which we call antibodies. These are responsible for recognizing and destroying disease-causing germs and viruses.
Now, this `(Monoclonal Antibody)` means that antibodies are artificially made in the laboratory. But these are made for a special purpose. That is, to recognize a certain protein (antigen) on the surface of cancer cells, attach to only those cancer cells, and help our own body's immune system destroy them. Just like a key opens a lock, this medicine goes directly to find the cancer cells.
This medicine is mainly used to treat multiple myeloma , a type of cancer that affects the plasma cells in the blood. Sometimes your doctor may also prescribe it for other conditions. So if you have any questions about why you are being given this medicine, ask your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before starting this treatment, it is very important that your doctor has a complete picture of your health. So if you have any of the following, be sure to tell your doctor.
- If you have any liver disease: The liver is the main organ in our body that metabolizes medications. Therefore, if you have any liver dysfunction, you may need to change your medication dosage or take special care.
- If you have an existing infection: fever, cough, cold, urinary tract infection, etc. This is because this treatment may affect the immune system, which may worsen an existing infection.
- If you have had an allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye in the past: This is very important because this medicine can also cause allergic reactions in some people.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding: This treatment may affect the unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to inform your doctor about this.
How can I give you this medicine?
Elotuzumab is not a pill that you swallow. It is a medicine that is given into a vein (an `infusion`) like saline . This treatment is given in a hospital or clinic by trained medical staff.
The treatment may take an hour or more to give. During this time, a nurse or doctor will be constantly monitoring you.
The most important thing is to get your treatment on time , on the dates your doctor gives you. Do not miss a treatment session for any reason. If you are unable to attend, call your doctor immediately and let them know.
What if the dose increases?
This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think you may have overdosed , inform the staff immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . In an emergency, go to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Things to consider when undergoing treatment
- Allergic Reactions: Some people may have an allergic reaction to this medicine. To reduce this risk, your doctor may decide to give you other medicines (e.g., piridine, steroids) before giving you elotuzumab. So take the medicines exactly as prescribed.
- Blood Tests: During treatment, you will need to have frequent blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body and to check for side effects.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Avoid becoming pregnant during treatment. This medicine may harm an unborn baby. Also, avoid breastfeeding during treatment and for some time after stopping treatment. Ask your doctor for more information about this.
- Other medications: Tell your doctor about any other medications (for other conditions), herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are taking, as some may interact with this medication.
- Cancer risk: There is a very small risk of developing some other types of cancer when receiving this type of treatment. Don't be alarmed by this, but be open and honest about it with your doctor.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Elotuzumab can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Let's learn more about them in the table below.
| Side effect | Description and what you need to do |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor or nursing staff immediately | |
| Severe Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing, chest tightness. (This is an emergency) |
| Signs of Infection | Fever, chills, sore throat, cough, and pain when urinating. |
| Symptoms of Liver Injury | Yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark yellow or brown urine, pale stools, pain in the upper right side of the stomach, nausea, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue. |
| Symptoms of high blood sugar | Dry mouth, excessive thirst , frequent urination, excessive hunger, and fruity breath odor. |
| Other severe symptoms | Chest pain, dizziness, and feeling light-headed. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite. |
| Nerve-related problems | Numbness, pain, or loss of sensation in the limbs. |
| Tiredness | Excessive fatigue and tiredness in the body. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, please inform your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Elotuzumab is a specific treatment for multiple myeloma cancer that targets and destroys cancer cells.
- Before starting treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- This medicine is given through a vein in a hospital. It is very important to receive treatment on the prescribed dates.
- Be on the lookout for things like severe allergies, signs of infection, and signs of liver damage. If you have any concerns, tell your doctor right away.
- Avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding during treatment.
- It is your right to talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have.
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