Empliciti

Generic name: elotuzumab [ EL-oh-TOOZ-ue-mab ]
Drug class: Miscellaneous antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Feb 5, 2024.

What is Empliciti?

Empliciti is a monoclonal antibody that blocks a certain protein in the body that can affect tumor cell growth. Monoclonal antibodies are made to target and destroy only certain cells in the body. This may help to protect healthy cells from damage.

Empliciti is used in combination chemotherapy to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer).

Empliciti is given together with either lenalidomide or pomalidomide, and a steroid medicine called dexamethasone.

Lenalidomide (Revlimid) is available only under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks and benefits of taking this medicine.

Warnings

Do not use Empliciti with lenalidomide or pomalidomide if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your sexual partner is pregnant. You will be required to use birth control to prevent pregnancy before, during, and shortly after treatment with these medicines.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with Empliciti if you are allergic to elotuzumab.

Tell your doctor if you have any type of infection.

Using Empliciti may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.

Empliciti is used together with lenalidomide or pomalidomide, which must not be taken during pregnancy. Lenalidomide and pomalidomide are known to cause life-threatening birth defects or death of a baby if the mother or the father is taking the medicine at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Even one dose of lenalidomide or pomalidomide can cause major birth defects.

• If you are a woman, you may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment, and again every month during treatment. You will be required to use two forms of birth control before, during, and shortly after chemotherapy treatment.

• If you are a man, do not use lenalidomide or pomalidomide if your sexual partner is pregnant or could become pregnant. These medicines may affect your sperm and cause birth defects in the baby. Always use latex condoms when having sex with a woman who is able to get pregnant, even if you have had a vasectomy.

• Carefully follow all instructions about the use of birth control while using Empliciti with lenalidomide or pomalidomide, whether you are a man or a woman.

• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Empliciti with lenalidomide or pomalidomide.

Stop using these medicines and call your doctor at once if you quit using birth control, if your period is late, or if you think you might be pregnant.

Lenalidomide and pomalidomide are available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program. You must be registered in the program and agree to use birth control measures as required.

You should not breast-feed while using Empliciti with lenalidomide and dexamethasone.

How is Empliciti given?

Empliciti is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. This medicine must be injected slowly, and the infusion can take at least 30 minutes to complete.

Empliciti is given in combination with other drugs. You may also be given medicine to prevent certain side effects while you are receiving this medicine. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

Empliciti is usually given every 1 to 4 weeks. You may need to take your other medications daily. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicines exactly as directed.

Your combination chemotherapy will be given in a 28-day treatment cycle. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with elotuzumab.

Empliciti can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Myeloma:

10 mg/kg IV every week for the first 2 cycles and every 2 weeks thereafter until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity:
-Cycles 1 and 2: 10 mg/kg IV once a week on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 28-day cycle
-Cycle 3 and beyond: 10 mg/kg IV once every 2 weeks on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle
Manufacturer recommended infusion rate (at the recommended concentration of 25 mg/mL):
CYCLE 1, DOSE 1:
-Time interval 0 to 30 min; Rate 0.5 mL/min
-Time interval 30 to 60 min; Rate 1 mL/min
-Time interval 60 min or more; Rate 2 mL/min
CYCLE 1, DOSE 2:
-Time interval 0 to 30 min; Rate 3 mL/min
-Time interval 30 min or more; Rate 4 mL/min
CYCLE 1, DOSE 3 AND 4 AND ALL SUBSEQUENT CYCLES:
-Rate 5 mL/min

Comments:
-The length of a cycle is 28 days.
-This drug is given in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone; refer to the dexamethasone and lenalidomide prescribing information for additional information.
-Patients should be premedicated 45 to 90 minutes before administration of elotuzumab with dexamethasone, an antipyretic, an H1 blocker, and an H2 blocker. The manufacturer recommends: Dexamethasone 28 mg orally 3 to 24 hours before the elotuzumab infusion plus dexamethasone 8 mg IV 45 to 90 minutes prior to infusion; on days that elotuzumab is not administered but dexamethasone is due (e.g., days 8 and 22 of cycle 3 and beyond), administer the standard dexamethasone dose (40 mg orally) AND acetaminophen 650 to 1000 mg orally AND diphenhydramine 25 to 50 mg orally or IV (or equivalent H1 blocker) AND ranitidine 50 mg IV or 150 mg orally (or equivalent H2 blocker).

Use: In combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received 1 to 3 prior therapies

Related/similar drugs

Carvykti, Abecma, Tecvayli, Revlimid, Velcade, Darzalex, Pomalyst, Kyprolis, Ninlaro

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Empliciti injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while receiving Empliciti?

Do not donate blood or sperm while you are using Empliciti with lenalidomide or pomalidomide, and for 4 weeks after you stop taking it.

Empliciti side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Empliciti: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, itchy, chilled, feverish, light-headed, or short of breath.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fever, cough, flu-like symptoms;

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• painful skin rash;

• liver problems - loss of appetite, stomach pain or swelling, tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• signs of pneumonia - fever, chills, cough with mucus, chest pain, feeling short of breath.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common Empliciti side effects may include:

• fever, cough, tiredness;

• numbness, weakness, tingling, or burning pain in your arms or legs;

• loss of appetite;

• cold symptoms such as runny nose or sore throat;

• diarrhea, constipation; or

• increased thirst, increased urination.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Empliciti?

Other drugs may interact with elotuzumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Empliciti Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There is 1 for Empliciti.

Frequently asked questions

• What is Empliciti (elotuzumab)? and how does Empliciti work?

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Empliciti only for the indication prescribed.

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

Medical Disclaimer

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