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Medications for Amyloidosis

Other names: Amyloidosis, primary

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 19, 2024.

Treatments for amyloidosis include chemotherapy (such as cyclophosphamide or melphalan), steroids (such as dexamethasone or prednisone), and targeted treatments including monoclonal antibodies (such as Darzalex Faspro) and proteasome inhibitors. There is no cure.

Amyloidosis is a rare disease that is caused by the buildup of insoluble proteins called amyloid in organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system, and digestive tract, which affects the way these organs work. There are several different types of amyloidosis. Amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis – where the protein fibers consist of monoclonal light chains – is the most prevalent type. Another type, called amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis, is characterized by the deposition of a normal or mutated form of transthyretin proteins (these are transport proteins that transport thyroid hormone T4 and retinol throughout the body).

Drugs used to treat Amyloidosis

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
colchicine Off-label Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
colchicine systemic
Drug class:
antigout agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Darzalex Faspro 9.0 1 review for Darzalex Faspro to treat Amyloidosis
Rx N
Generic name:
daratumumab / hyaluronidase systemic
Drug class:
CD38 monoclonal antibodies
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
daratumumab / hyaluronidase 9.0 1 review for daratumumab / hyaluronidase to treat Amyloidosis
Rx N
Generic name:
daratumumab / hyaluronidase systemic
Brand name:
Darzalex Faspro
Drug class:
CD38 monoclonal antibodies
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
prednisone Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
prednisone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
dexamethasone Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

Learn more about Amyloidosis

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.