When you or someone you know is diagnosed with cancer, it's normal to feel a little scared and curious about the medication you'll be given. Today we're going to talk about a specific drug used to treat this type of cancer. It's called Olaratumab. Its brand name is Lartruvo. It's not like a regular drug. So let's take a look at what this drug is, how it works, and what you need to be aware of when taking this treatment.
What kind of medicine is Olaratumab?
Simply put, Olaratumab is a monoclonal antibody . Now you might be wondering what it is. Imagine a specially trained commando like in our army. He knows who the enemy is, where he is, and only targets him and attacks him. That's how this medicine is.
This is a protein that is specially designed in the laboratory, like part of our own immune system. Its main function is to find cancer cells, attach to them, and stop their growth. It is used in particular to treat a type of cancer called soft-tissue sarcoma . This method causes relatively little damage to healthy cells. That is why it is called "targeted therapy."
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
This is very important. Your doctor will want to know your complete health history before starting this treatment. Be sure to tell them everything without hiding anything.
- Allergies: Tell us if you have any allergies, not just to Olaratumab, but to any other medicine, food, dyes, or preservatives.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant , or have any suspicions of pregnancy, you must tell your doctor before starting treatment. This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby.
- Breastfeeding: Also tell the doctor if you are breastfeeding a child .
Providing this information is very important for your safety, so don't skip even a small detail.
How is this medicine administered to the body?
This is not a pill or capsule that you take home. Olaratumab is given as an infusion into your body through a vein. This is done in a hospital or clinic, under the supervision of trained medical staff. This means that a doctor or nurse is with you when you are given the medicine.
The doctor will decide how often and when to give this medicine, depending on your condition. It is very important to come to the clinic on the scheduled day and time for your treatment. If for some reason 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 think this has happened in any way, inform the medical staff immediately. Alternatively, you should call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . In an emergency, go directly to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
What are the things to be careful about during treatment?
Your medical team will monitor you very closely while you are taking this medicine.
- Blood Work: You will need to have regular blood tests to check the levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in your blood. This will help you see how the medicine is affecting your body.
- Allergies: This medicine can cause serious allergic reactions in some people. To reduce this risk, your doctor may decide to give you other medicines (pre-medication) before you receive Olaratumab. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: This is something you should keep in mind . You should avoid getting pregnant while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping treatment. You should also avoid breastfeeding your baby for 3 months after stopping treatment. Ask your doctor for more information about this.
- Fertility: This medicine may have some effect on men's ability to have children. If you have any concerns or fears about this, talk to your doctor about it openly.
- Interactions with other medications: There have been no extensive studies on how this medicine interacts with other medications. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking. That means, medications for other diseases, vitamins, nutritional supplements, Sinhala medicines, decoctions, and other herbal remedies you are taking, as well as if you smoke or drink alcohol. Some things can interact with this medicine.
Possible Side Effects
Like any medicine, Olaratumab can cause side effects. Not everyone gets them, but it's important to be aware of them.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Things like shortness of breath, chest tightness. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, blurred vision, feeling like you're going to fall when you stand, and extreme fatigue. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, pain when urinating. (This medicine reduces the number of white blood cells in the blood, making it easier for infections to develop). |
| Bleeding symptoms | Even a small bump can cause large bruises, small red spots on the skin, black stools, and blood in the urine (may be due to a decrease in blood platelets). |
| Neurological disorders | Pain, numbness, or loss of sensation in the arms and legs. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (diarrhea). |
| Other common disorders | Loss of appetite, mouth sores, hair loss, muscle pain. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything else that is different or unusual, tell your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Olaratumab is a specific treatment that targets cancer cells. It is a drug that is given into a vein in a hospital.
- Before starting treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies you have and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Inform your doctor about everything you are taking, including other Western or Sinhala medications, vitamins, alcohol, and cigarettes.
- Avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding during treatment and for 3 months afterwards.
- Tell your doctor as soon as you notice any serious side effects, such as fever, difficulty breathing, or excessive bruising. Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.
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