Does Imbruvica Cause Hair Loss

Gazyva Generic Or Biosimilar

Gazyva is available only as a brand-name medication. Its not currently available in biosimilar form.

A biosimilar is a medication thats similar to a brand-name drug. A generic medication, on the other hand, is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name drug.

Biosimilars are based on biologic drugs, which are made from parts of living organisms. Generics are based on regular medications made from chemicals. Biosimilars and generics also tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Gazyva contains the active drug obinutuzumab. This means obinutuzumab is the ingredient that makes Gazyva work.

What Is Hyperthyroidism Does Hyperthyroidism Cause Hair Loss

Hyperthyroidism is defined as an overactive thyroid. This means your thyroid is producing too much of a hormone called Thyroxine. Due to the excess of this hormone, your bodys metabolism can speed up, which may lead to a number of side effects. These can include:

• a rapid or irregular heartbeat
• an increase in appetite
• swelling on the neck

This is in addition to a few cosmetic changes too, such as thinning skin, and/or thinning or loss of hair.

If you believe you are suffering from hyperthyroidism but are yet to receive an official diagnosis, its important to check in with your doctor ASAP.

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Symptoms Of A C Difficile Infection

Symptoms of a C. difficile infection usually develop when youâre taking antibiotics, or when youâve finished taking them within the last few weeks.

The most common symptoms are:

• watery diarrhoea, which can be bloody
• painful tummy cramps
• signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, headaches and peeing less often than normal
• a high temperature of above 38C
• loss of appetite and weight loss

In some cases, serious complications can develop, such as damage to the bowel or severe dehydration, which may cause drowsiness, confusion, a rapid heart rate and fainting.

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Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use Imbruvica if you are allergic to ibrutinib.

To make sure Imbruvica is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• risk factors for heart disease .

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

Both men and women using Imbruvica should use birth control to prevent pregnancy. Ibrutinib can harm an unborn baby if the mother or father is using this medicine.

Keep using birth control for at least 1 month after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Imbruvica .

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 1 week after your last dose.

What If I Miss An Infusion Appointment

If you miss an appointment for an infusion, reschedule it as soon as possible. The doctors office staff may have to adjust the timing of your future visits.

To help make sure that you dont miss an appointment, try setting a reminder on your phone. You can also write your treatment schedule on a calendar.

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What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Imbruvica

IMBRUVICA® may cause serious side effects, including:

The most common side effects of IMBRUVICA® in adults with B-cell malignancies include:

The most common side effects of IMBRUVICA® in adults or children 1 year of age and older with cGVHD include:

Diarrhea is a common side effect in people who take IMBRUVICA®. Drink plenty of fluids during treatment with IMBRUVICA® to help reduce your risk of losing too much fluid due to diarrhea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of IMBRUVICA®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of IMBRUVICA®

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use IMBRUVICA® for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give IMBRUVICA® to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about IMBRUVICA® that is written for health professionals.

Please see the full Important Product Information.

Gazyva For Untreated Follicular Lymphoma

Gazyva is also FDA-approved to treat FL that hasnt yet been treated. In this case, Gazyva is used for these forms of FL:

• Stage II bulky: Stage II means the cancer is in two or more groups of lymph nodes that are either both above, or both below, your diaphragm. So if you have stage II FL, you can have cancer in your neck and armpit area because these are both above the diaphragm. But you cant have cancer in your neck and your abdomen . Thats because one of these areas is above the diaphragm and the other is below it. The disease is considered bulky if you have a large mass in your chest. If your cancer is stage II bulky, you may need stronger treatments.
• Stage III: The cancer is on both sides of the diaphragm and may even spread into the spleen.
• Stage IV: The cancer has spread throughout your body. It may be in bone marrow or in other organs in your body.

Youll use Gazyva along with chemotherapy, and then just Gazyva alone if your cancer goes into at least partial remission. This is when the cancer is still present, but there are fewer cancer cells in your body.

FL is a type of NHL. FL affects white blood cells called lymphocytes, which usually help you fight infections. With FL, your lymphocytes will grow abnormally, which can cause them to not work properly.

Effectiveness

In a clinical trial, researchers compared people with FL who received Gazyva and chemotherapy or rituximab along with chemotherapy. During the 38-month study:

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Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Explained

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a type of cancer that affects your white blood cells. The majority of CLL cases affect white blood cells called B-cells. When you have CLL, you have a lot of abnormal white blood cells. They crowd out the normal cells in your blood and bone marrow .

Gazyva works to treat CLL by binding specifically to B-cells and destroying them. This decreases the number of abnormal B-cells that you have in your blood and bone marrow and allows new cells to grow.

Possible Side Effects Of Melphalan

There are a number of things you can do to manage the side effects of melphalan. Talk to your care team about these recommendations. They can help you decide what will work best for you. These are some of the most common or important side effects:

Low White Blood Cell Count

White blood cells are important for fighting infection. While receiving treatment, your WBC count can drop, putting you at a higher risk of getting an infection. You should let your doctor or nurse know right away if you have a fever , sore throat or cold, shortness of breath, cough, burning with urination, or a sore that doesn’t heal.

Tips to preventing infection:

• Washing hands, both yours and your visitors, is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.
• Avoid large crowds and people who are sick .
• When working in your yard, wear protective clothing including long pants and gloves.
• Do not handle pet waste.
• Keep all cuts or scratches clean.
• Shower or bath daily and perform frequent mouth care.
• Do not cut cuticles or ingrown nails. You may wear nail polish, but not fake nails.
• Ask your oncology care team before scheduling dental appointments or procedures.
• Ask your oncology care team before you, or someone you live with has any vaccinations.

Low Red Blood Cell Count

Low Platelet Count

Diarrhea

Nausea and/or Vomiting

Mouth Sores

Fatigue

Loss or Thinning of Scalp and Body Hair

Peripheral Edema

Rash

Less common, but important side effects can include:

Sexual & Reproductive Concerns

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What Comes After Ibrutinib

The most promising treatment option for ibrutinib-resistant patients is venetoclax, a BCL2 inhibitor, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2018 for all patients with previously treated CLL, regardless of del17p status expanding on its initial approval for only patients who …… see more

What Are My Absolute Contraindications To Initiating Ibrutinib

This question is challenging, because choice of therapy always requires balancing the risk of the patients CLL with the risk of a given therapy. Ibrutinib is sufficiently effective that in very high risk CLL, it may need to be tried regardless of contraindication, particularly because it is typically more readily available than venetoclax or idelalisib. That being said, the following constitute circumstances under which I would think very carefully before starting or resuming ibrutinib: ongoing, poorly controlled bleeding history of major life-threatening bleeding, especially if not due to a reversible cause requirement for high treatment dose anticoagulation that cannot be stopped even briefly older patient with cardiac comorbidity, including systolic or valvular dysfunction, recurrent uncontrolled congestive heart failure or AF, symptomatic unrevascularized coronary artery disease, or history of ventricular arrhythmia without automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator unexplained syncope concerning for cardiac etiology after initiation of ibrutinib ongoing invasive fungal infection requiring therapy and refractory autoimmune complications developing soon after ibrutinib initiation, particularly bone marrow aplasia.

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Does Imbruvica Cause Weight Gain

No, Imbruvica isnt likely to cause weight gain. This side effect wasnt reported in clinical studies of the drug.

In fact, Imbruvica is more likely to cause weight loss than weight gain. Weight loss was a common side effect in studies of the drug.

But keep in mind that weight loss is a common symptom of cancer, which Imbruvica is used to treat. And as Imbruvica treats your cancer, you may gain back some of the weight youve lost. But the weight gain would likely be a result of your condition improving. Imbruvica itself may not be the cause of the weight gain.

If you have other questions about weight gain while youre taking Imbruvica, talk with your doctor.

Gazyva Drug Class And Form

Gazyva contains the active drug obinutuzumab and belongs to a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies.

Gazyva is a liquid solution that comes in a vial. Its available in one strength: 1,000 mg/40 mL.

A healthcare provider will give you Gazyva as an intravenous infusion at your doctors office or in a hospital. An infusion is an injection into a vein thats given over a set time. Gazyva infusions last 4 hours at first, but later doses may take less time.

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Taking Gazyva With Food

You dont need to eat while youre getting your Gazyva infusion. However, your infusion may last many hours. So if you want to bring food or drinks with you, first talk with your doctor. Theyll be able to recommend what you can consume during your infusion appointment.

Gazyva is a targeted treatment. This means it works on specific cells, called B cells, in your body.

Is Hair Loss A Side Effect Of Imbruvica

No, Imbruvica likely doesnt cause hair loss. This wasnt a side effect reported in studies of the drug.

However, cancer drugs other than Imbruvica can cause hair loss. For example, hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy drugs. Imbruvica isnt a chemotherapy drug, however.

If youre concerned about hair loss from Imbruvica or other cancer drugs, talk with your doctor.

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Gazyva And Other Medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Gazyva. This list doesnt contain all drugs that may interact with Gazyva.

Before taking Gazyva, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Gazyva and blood pressure medications

Gazyva may decrease your blood pressure while youre getting an infusion . So if youre taking any medications to lower your blood pressure, your doctor may have you pause your use of them. Your blood pressure could drop too low if you take those drugs around the time of your infusions.

Examples of blood pressure medications include:

Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking your blood pressure medications during these times:

• 12 hours before infusions
• during infusions
• for 1 hour after infusions

If you take any blood pressure drugs, talk with your doctor before you start treatment with Gazyva. They can advise you if and when to pause your use of the medications.

Hair And Nail Alterations

Hair alterations were described in 26% of 66 patients during ibrutinib therapy.71 The hair changes were characterized by softening and straightening. Brittle fingernails or splitting of the nails developed in 67%, usually at 6 months after starting ibrutinib, which is consistent with the growth time of nails.

There is only anecdotal evidence that biotin supplementation resulted in some benefit.71

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What You Should Know About The Side Effects Of Imbruvica 1

IMBRUVICA® may cause serious side effects, including1:

Build test

• Bleeding problems
• Heart problems: serious heart rhythm problems and heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Second primary cancers
• Tumor lysis syndrome*

*TLS is a disorder caused by the breakdown products of cancer cells, which can lead to kidney failure and other abnormalities.

The most common side effects in the clinical trials were:

In the clinical trials, approximately 4%-10% of CLL or SLL patients stoppedtaking IMBRUVICA® because of side effects.

This is not a complete list of side effects. Others may occur.Tell your doctor if you think you are experiencing side effects.

If you are having some side effects, your doctor may tell you to lower your dose or to stop taking IMBRUVICA®. That’s one reason it’s so important to tell your healthcare team about side effects at any point in your treatment.1

Should I Avoid Getting Any Vaccines During My Gazyva Treatment

Yes. You should avoid getting live vaccines while youre receiving Gazyva and for a time after you finish your treatment.

Live vaccines have a weakened form of a virus or bacterium in them. Gazyva may weaken your immune system, so your body may not be able to fight the virus or bacterium in the live vaccine. This may cause you to develop an infection.

For more information and examples of live vaccines, see the Gazyva and live vaccines section below.

The manufacturer of Gazyva doesnt mention whether its safe to get non-live vaccines while using Gazyva. These vaccines dont contain a live virus or bacterium.

Before you receive Gazyva, ask your doctor if youre due for any vaccines. If you do need any vaccines, they may recommend getting them before you start treatment with Gazyva.

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What Cancers Can Cause Hair Loss

One example where a link has been found is with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In rare cases where the disease spreads to the skin, it has been known to cause hair loss. It’s an extreme version of the irritation that the disease can cause to issues, which most frequently reflects as more mild symptoms, like itching…. continue reading

Will I Need To Use This Drug Long Term

Gazyva is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. Usually, youll keep receiving Gazyva for up to a maximum of 2 years. But if your cancer worsens during this time, your doctor may stop your treatment.

If you and your doctor determine that Gazyva is safe and effective for you, youll likely take it long term.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Gazyva.

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What Is The Difference Between C Diff Colonization And C Diff Infection

Up to 5% of people in the community, and an even greater percentage of people who are hospitalized, may be colonized with C. diff bacteria, but not experience any symptoms. The risk of progressing to disease varies, since not all C. diff strains produce toxin that makes you sick. People colonized with a non-toxin-producing strain of C. diff may actually be protected from CDI.

CDI is diagnosed based on symptoms, primarily watery diarrhea occurring at least three times a day, and stool that tests positive for C. diff. A positive test without symptoms represents colonization and does not require treatment. Patients colonized with toxin-producing strains are at risk for disease, particularly if exposed to antibiotics.

What About Cytoses And Cytopenias Patient 2

A 67-year-old man with immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region unmutated, del deleted CLL with complex karyotype had a 4-year remission after fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab in 2011, but by mid-2016 had white blood cell count of 108000/L, hemoglobin of 10 g/dL, and platelet count of 69000/L. He started ibrutinib, and his WBC rose to 250000/L before slowly declining. He had a history of premature ventricular contractions , which increased despite metoprolol. An event monitor demonstrated PVCs, premature atrial contractions, and brief atrial tachycardia, and he was put on aspirin, which in combination with ibrutinib and platelets at 60000/L, resulted in significant bruising.

Also very common after initiation of ibrutinib is a drop in platelet count, which is typically not problematic, because it is usually of small magnitude and remains stable prior to slowly improving over time. Because of this drop and the antiplatelet effect of ibrutinib, I am cautious when initiating ibrutinib in a patient with a platelet count below 30000/L , and I will usually use a higher platelet transfusion threshold of about 25000/L shortly after initiation. These patients, in particular, should have all other anticoagulant drugs stopped.

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