Idecabtagene vicleucel (Intravenous)

Generic name: idecabtagene vicleucel [ eye-de-KAB-ta-jeen-vik-LOO-sel ]
Brand name: Abecma
Drug class: Miscellaneous antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 10, 2023.

Uses for idecabtagene vicleucel

Idecabtagene vicleucel injection is used treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer) in patients whose cancer has come back and who have received at least 4 previous treatments (eg, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent) that did not work well.

Idecabtagene vicleucel injection is an antineoplastic (cancer) medicine that is made from your own white blood cells, which have been modified to recognize and attack your cancer cells. Before you begin treatment, talk to your doctor about the benefits of this medicine as well as the possible risks of receiving it.

This medicine is available only under a restricted distribution program called Abecma® REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) Program.

Before using idecabtagene vicleucel

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of idecabtagene vicleucel injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of idecabtagene vicleucel injection in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Heart problems or
• Heart rhythm problems (eg, tachycardia) or
• Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
• Infections (including hepatitis B), active or history of or
• Kidney disease or
• Seizures, history of or
• Stroke, history of—Use with caution. May cause side effects to become worse.

Proper use of idecabtagene vicleucel

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital or cancer center. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins using a pump. This medicine must be given slowly, so your IV tube will need to stay in place for at least 30 minutes. It is given 2 days after completing treatment with other cancer medicines (eg, fludarabine, cyclophosphamide).

You may also receive other medicines (eg, allergy medicine, fever medicine) 30 to 60 minutes before starting treatment with this medicine.

Your doctor will check you for unwanted effects at least daily for 7 days. Your doctor will also want you to stay close to the hospital or center for at least 4 weeks after your infusion.

It is very important that you understand the requirements of the Abecma® REMS program, and become familiar with the Abecma® Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Precautions while using idecabtagene vicleucel

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests are needed to check for unwanted effects.

If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment.

This medicine may cause cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which may be life-threatening and requires immediate attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have fever, chills, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, skin rash, trouble breathing, or tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have seizures, loss of balance, loss of consciousness, confusion, disorientation, difficulty with speaking, or slurred speech. These could be symptoms of a serious nerve problem.

This medicine may cause a severe inflammatory condition that could be life-threatening, including hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (HLH/MAS), which is caused by an overactive immune system. Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever, cough that does not go away, right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness, rash, redness in one part of your body, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, mental status changes, shakiness and unsteady walk, unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination, seizures, or warm feeling or swelling of your skin.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing or swallowing, or chest tightness while you are using this medicine. These may be symptoms of serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which may be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

This medicine may increase your risks for hypogammaglobulinemia (immune system problem) and getting other cancers. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about these risks.

While you are being treated with idecabtagene vicleucel injection, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's approval. Live virus vaccinations should not be given for at least 6 weeks before start of treatment, during treatment, and until recovery following the last cycle of this medicine.

This medicine may cause dizziness, confusion, seizures, or decreased alertness. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you, for at least 8 weeks after treatment.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Side Effects of idecabtagene vicleucel

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Agitation
• back pain
• black, tarry stools
• being forgetful
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• body aches and pain
• bone pain
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, painful, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all the fingers except the smallest finger
• changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
• chest discomfort, pain, or tightness
• chills
• cold flu-like symptoms
• cold sweats
• coma
• confusion
• confusion as to time, place, or person
• cough or hoarseness
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• depression
• difficulty in breathing
• difficulty in moving
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• drooping upper eyelids
• drowsiness
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• ear congestion
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• hallucinations
• headache
• holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
• hostility
• increased blood pressure
• increased thirst
• infection from breathing foreign substance into the lungs
• irregular, fast ,or slow, or shallow breathing
• irritability
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• loss of memory
• loss of strength or energy
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• mood or mental changes
• muscle aches, cramps, pains, stiffness, spasms, or twitching
• nausea
• nerve pain
• nervousness
• pain in the lower back, bottom, hips, or upper leg
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• pounding in the ears
• problems with memory
• problems with speech
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• sleepiness
• slow or fast heartbeat
• slurred speech
• sneezing
• stiff neck
• stuffy or runny nose
• stupor
• swollen joints
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• tingling of the hands or feet
• trembling and shaking of hands
• trouble in swallowing
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness or feeling of sluggishness
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• voice changes
• vomiting
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Less common

• Coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• diarrhea
• fainting
• increased sweating
• partial or slight paralysis
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• stomach pain
• tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Blemishes on the skin
• blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
• constipation
• cracked, dry, scaly skin
• fear
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• pain in the mouth
• pimples
• sensation of spinning
• skin rash or blisters
• toothache
• trouble sleeping
• unusually warm skin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Abecma

Available Dosage Forms:

• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Chemical Class: CAR T-Cell Agent

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer