We all know that fighting cancer is not an easy journey. To help you on this journey, your doctor may recommend various treatments and medications. Enfortumab Vedotin is one such drug that helps fight cancer cells . Often, hearing this name can feel a little scary and difficult to understand. But don't worry. In this article, we will talk about this drug in a very simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is this medicine called Enfortumab Vedotin?
Think of the cancer cells in our bodies as weeds. They need special nourishment to grow and spread. This drug, Enfortumab Vedotin , identifies a special protein that helps those cancer cells grow, or rather, identifies it, and stops its function.
Simply put, this drug is like a missile that goes straight to the target. It directly finds cancer cells and attacks them. As a result, the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread throughout the body is reduced or completely eliminated. This drug is mainly used to treat bladder cancer and kidney cancer .
Things you should definitely tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will want to know your complete health history . This is because other medical conditions you have may affect the treatment. So, without hiding anything, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Diabetes Mellitus : If you have diabetes or high blood sugar levels.
- Liver disease: If you have any liver-related condition.
- Lung disease : If you have a lung condition like asthma or another lung condition.
- Eye problems: If you have vision impairment, eye disease, or other discomfort.
- Nerve disorders: If you have numbness, pain, or other nerve-related problems in your limbs.
- Allergies: Tell us if you have any allergies to Enfortumab Vedotin, any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy: This is very important if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant soon .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a mother who is breastfeeding your child, you must also inform her.
Providing this information accurately to your doctor is very important for your safety as well as the success of your treatment.
How is this medicine given?
Enfortumab Vedotin is not a pill that you swallow. It is an injection that is given into a vein . This treatment is given in a hospital or clinic, under the supervision of trained medical staff. So you have nothing to worry about.
- If given to children: Special care and supervision are required if this medicine is given to children.
- If you miss a dose: If you are unable to come to the hospital on the day you are scheduled to take your dose, inform your doctor or the treatment department in advance. Skipping scheduled doses is not good for the treatment.
- If you overdose: Since this treatment is given under medical supervision, the chances of overdose are very low. However, if you suspect that this has happened in any way, immediately inform the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital or the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Things to be especially careful about during treatment
Your body may experience some changes while taking this medicine, so you should be a little more careful about the following points.
Physical discomfort
It's normal to feel a little tired and uncomfortable when you're taking chemotherapy. This is because the drugs kill cancer cells and also affect some of the healthy cells in your body. You may feel tired and lose your appetite. But don't stop your treatment because you're uncomfortable unless your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience.
Blood Sugar
This medicine can cause high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) . If you already have diabetes, this risk is even higher. Therefore, it is important to check your blood sugar levels regularly. If you experience symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive fatigue, or blurred vision, tell your doctor immediately.
Eye health
Some people may experience dry eyes and blurred vision with this medication. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience this discomfort more. Lubricating eye drops can help control this condition. However, if this discomfort persists or is severe, tell your doctor. Do not ignore eye pain, redness, or any changes in vision.
Risk of infection
When taking such strong treatments, the body's immunity may be slightly reduced, which increases the risk of developing infections .
- If you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, and cough, do not take medication as you feel like it, but call your doctor immediately.
- Try to stay away from people who have illnesses like colds.
- Do not use painkillers like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, or Naproxen without consulting your doctor. These medications can suppress your fever, which may prevent you from detecting an infection in your body.
Possible severe skin reactions
This is very important. Serious skin reactions can sometimes occur weeks or months after starting the medicine. Be especially careful if you develop a red or purple rash on your body, along with symptoms such as fever and chills. These rashes may later turn into blisters and the skin may start to peel off . Also, if you develop a red rash on your skin along with swollen lymph nodes in your face, lips, neck, or armpits, tell your doctor right away.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
- During pregnancy: This medicine can cause serious birth defects if you become pregnant while taking it. Therefore, you should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment to make sure you are not pregnant. It is important to use effective birth control during treatment and for 2 months after the last dose.
- For men: If your partner is able to get pregnant, be sure to use a condom during sexual intercourse while you are taking this medicine and for 4 months after the last dose.
- Breastfeeding: Avoid breastfeeding your baby completely while taking this medicine and for 3 weeks after the last dose.
- Fertility: This medication may affect your ability to have children. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor about it.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, this medicine can cause side effects. But not everyone gets all of these side effects. Let's break them down into two categories.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Side effect | Description |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Breathing difficulties | Dry cough, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath. |
| Eye problems | Eye pain, redness, discharge from the eyes, blurred vision, or decreased vision. |
| High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) | Unusual thirst, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Injection site reactions | Pain, swelling, redness, warmth, blisters, or sores at the injection site. |
| Nerve-related pain | Pain, numbness, or loss of feeling in the hands or feet. |
| Severe skin reactions | Redness, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth). |
| Abnormal bleeding | Bruising for no reason or bleeding that does not stop even from a minor injury. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported if they persist | |
|---|---|
| Change in taste of food | Diarrhea (stomach ache) |
| Dry eyes | Tiredness |
| Hair loss | Appetite |
This list is not all possible side effects. In addition, if you experience any other unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor about them.
Take-Home Message
- Enfortumab Vedotin is a powerful, intravenous drug that is targeted for bladder and kidney cancer.
- Before starting treatment, it is essential to tell your doctor about all your medical conditions (especially diabetes, liver disease) and all other medications you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical advice for any unusual symptoms that occur during treatment, especially severe skin changes, eye problems, or symptoms of high blood sugar.
- This medicine is not suitable if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. It is very important to use effective birth control during and for some time after treatment.
- You are not alone in your battle with cancer. Talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions you may have. Follow their instructions carefully.
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