When you hear the name Ibritumomab Tiuxetan as a cancer treatment, you may feel a little scared. That's very normal. Hearing a name like this makes anyone a little nervous. But don't worry. In this article, we will try to talk about this medicine in a way that you can understand, very simply. It will answer many of the questions you have in your mind.
What is Ibritumomab Tiuxetan?
Simply put, this is a special drug used to kill cancer cells. We call it a `Monoclonal Antibody`.
Imagine that our bodies have parts like security guards, which we call antibodies. This medicine is like a very smart special soldier created in a laboratory. Its specialty is that it can only find and identify cancer cells.
There is another special thing about this medicine. This 'soldier' has a radioactive substance attached to it. So, when this medicine is given into a vein, that special soldier directly seeks out cancer cells and sticks to them. Then, the radioactive substance in its body targets and destroys only those cancer cells. This method causes very little damage to healthy cells.
This treatment is mainly used to treat a type of lymphoma cancer called Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) .
Things to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before you start this treatment, it is very important to talk openly about your health condition with your medical team. This medicine is not suitable for everyone. If you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
- If you have any blood disorders or bleeding problems.
- If you have heart disease or heart rhythm disorders.
- If you have kidney disease.
- Lung or breathing problems, for example, conditions such as asthma.
- If the number of blood cells in the body is low (low blood counts).
- An existing infection, especially viral infections such as chickenpox and herpes.
- Allergic conditions: Tell us if you have any allergies to Ibritumomab, Rituximab, albumin, mouse proteins, or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant , or breastfeeding .
Providing this information will greatly help your doctor treat you safely and more effectively.
How is this medicine given?
This is not a medicine you can take home. It is given in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or nursing staff who is specially trained for this.
The medicine is given into your body as an infusion, like saline, into a vein. That means the medicine is slowly added to your bloodstream.
If this medicine is given to children, special care should be taken by talking to a pediatrician about it.
What to do if you overdose?
Since this is given in a hospital, the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think something like this has happened to you, you should immediately inform the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
If you are taking any other medications, it is important to tell your doctor about them as well. Some medications may interact with this treatment.
- Drugs used for growth factor treatment .
- Medications that prevent blood clotting: For example, medications like Warfarin, Enoxaparin, and Dalteparin.
- Vaccines: Some vaccines are not recommended while taking this treatment. Therefore, talk to your doctor before getting any vaccines.
Also, even if you buy a common pain reliever from a pharmacy without a prescription (e.g. Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen), do not use it without asking your doctor, as it can also increase the risk of bleeding.
Things to keep in mind during treatment
It's important to pay a little extra attention to your body when undergoing this treatment.
- Decreased immunity: This medicine may slightly decrease your body's ability to fight diseases (immunity). Therefore, stay away from people who have illnesses like fever, cold, and cough as much as possible. If you develop symptoms like fever, chills, or sore throat, do not self-medicate and call your doctor immediately.
- Bleeding risk: This medicine may make your body more prone to bruising and bleeding. Brush your teeth gently. If you develop any unusual bruising, small red spots on your skin, or notice any other unusual bleeding, tell your doctor immediately.
- Avoid pregnancy: This is very important. Women should avoid getting pregnant completely while taking this medication and for 12 months after stopping treatment. Men should also avoid fathering a child while taking this medication and for 12 months after stopping treatment. This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby.
- Breastfeeding: Avoid breastfeeding your baby while taking this treatment.
- Risk of other cancers: Very rarely, there may be a small risk of developing other types of cancer with this treatment. Your doctor will give you more information about this.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Type of side effect | What you should be careful about |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of low blood cell count |
|
| Other serious symptoms | Difficulty breathing, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, mouth sores, blistering or peeling skin, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands. |
| Things to tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Common side effects | Anxiety, diarrhea, headache, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle pain, night sweats. |
Take-Home Message
- Ibritumomab Tiuxetan is a specific treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma that targets and destroys cancer cells.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about your complete medical history, other medications you are taking, and any allergies you have before treatment.
- Notify your doctor immediately of any unusual symptoms (especially fever, bleeding, difficulty breathing) that occur during treatment.
- Completely avoid pregnancy (both women and men) during treatment and for 12 months after stopping it.
- It's normal to feel anxious about this type of treatment. Talk openly with your medical team about any questions or concerns you may have. They are there to help you.
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