Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine is new. Please report side effects. See the full CMI for further details.
1. Why am I using Columvi?
Columvi contains the active ingredient glofitamab. Columvi is provisionally registered
to treat adults with a cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is
used when the cancer has come back (relapsed) or the cancer did not respond to previous
treatments. For more information, see Section
1. Why am I using Columvi? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I am given Columvi?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Columvi or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Columvi and affect how it works.
4. How is Columvi given?
You will be given Columvi under the supervision of a doctor experienced in cancer
treatment, in a hospital or clinic.
You will be given up to 12 treatment cycles of Columvi via an intravenous infusion.
Each cycle lasts 21 days. Your doctor will begin Columvi treatment with a single infusion
of another medicine called obinutuzumab and a low dose of Columvi and will gradually
increase it to the full dose.
5. What should I know while using Columvi?
|
Things you should do
|
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Columvi.
Pay attention to serious side effects. Some side effects can sometimes be life-threatening
and may happen any time during Columvi treatment.
|
|
Things you should not do
|
Do not miss any appointments.
|
|
Driving or using machines
|
If you have symptoms of cytokine release syndrome (such as fever, fast heartbeat,
feeling dizzy or lightheaded, chills or shortness of breath) – do not drive, cycle
or use any tools or machines until you feel better.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Cytokine release syndrome; symptoms include fever, fast heartbeat, feeling dizzy or
lightheaded, chills, shortness of breath
Infection; symptoms include fever, chills, difficulty breathing, burning pain when
passing urine
Tumour flare; symptoms include tender swollen lymph nodes, chest pain, inability to
breathe easily, pain at the site of the tumour
Tumour lysis syndrome; symptoms include weakness, shortness of breath, feeling confused,
irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps
This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification
of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get.
You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems .
Active ingredient(s): glofitamab
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Columvi. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Columvi.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Columvi?
Columvi contains the active ingredient glofitamab.
Columvi has provisional approval in Australia to treat adults with a cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is
used when:
the cancer has come back (relapsed) or
the cancer did not respond to previous treatments.
The decision to approve this medicine has been made on the basis of promising results
from preliminary studies. More evidence is required to be submitted when available
to fully confirm the benefit and safety of the medicine for this use.
DLBCL is a cancer of a part of your immune system (the body’s defenses).
It affects a type of white blood cell called 'B-cells'
In DLBCL, B-cells multiply in an uncontrolled manner and build up in your tissues.
This medicine binds to the surface of the cancerous B-cells and also to the surface
of ‘T-cells’ (another type of white blood cell). This binding on two targets activates
T-cells and causes them to multiply, which leads to the rapid breakdown of the cancerous
B-cells.
2. What should I know before I am given Columvi?
Warnings
Do not use Columvi if:
you are allergic to glofitamab, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Check with your doctor if you:
take any medicines for any other condition
have an infection, including a long-lasting infection (chronic), or an infection which
keeps coming back (recurring)
have or had any kidney, liver or heart problems
are due to have a vaccine
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
You should not be given Columvi if you are pregnant. This is because it is possible
that Columvi could harm your unborn baby.
If you could become pregnant, you must use effective contraception while you are being
treated with Columvi and for 2 months after the last dose.
If you become pregnant while you are being treated with Columvi tell your doctor immediately.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Do not breast-feed while receiving Columvi and for at least 2 months after the last
dose. This is because it is not known if this medicine can pass into breast milk and
harm your baby.
Children and adolescents
This medicine should not be given to children and adolescents below 18 years of age.
This is because Columvi has not been studied in this age group.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you are due to have a vaccine, or you know you may need
to have a vaccine in the near future.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Columvi.
4. How is Columvi given?
You will be given Columvi under the supervision of a doctor experienced in cancer
treatment, in a hospital or clinic.
Medicines given before Columvi treatment
Seven days before starting Columvi treatment, you will be given another medicine,
obinutuzumab, to deplete the B-cells in your blood in order to prevent cytokine release
syndrome.
Cytokine release syndrome is a group of symptoms caused by small proteins called cytokines,
released in your body during inflammation.
During the 30 to 60 minutes before you are given Columvi, you may be given other medicines
(pre-medication) to help reduce reactions associated with cytokine release syndrome.
These medicines may include:
- A corticosteroid such as dexamethasone
- A fever-reducing medicine such as paracetamol
- An antihistamine such as diphenhydramine
How much and how often you will receive Columvi
You will be given up to 12 treatment cycles of Columvi via an intravenous infusion.
Each cycle lasts 21 days.
Your doctor will begin Columvi treatment with a lower dose and will gradually increase
it to the full dose.
A typical schedule is shown below.
Cycle 1: This will include a pre-treatment of obinutuzumab and 2 low doses of Columvi
during the 21 days.
Cycle 2 to Cycle 12: This will be just one dose in the 21 days.
How Columvi is given and monitoring
Columvi is given as a drip into a vein (an intravenous infusion). Your doctor will
adjust the time required for infusion depending on how you respond to treatment.
Your first infusion will be given over 4 hours. Your doctor will monitor you carefully
during the first infusion and for 10 hours after completion of infusion. This is to
watch for any signs or symptoms of cytokine release syndrome.
For the infusions, you may be monitored after completion of your infusion. This will
be necessary if you have had moderate or severe cytokine release syndrome with your
previous dose.
If you do not experience cytokine release syndrome after 3 doses, your doctor may
give the following infusions over 2 hours.
If you miss a dose of Columvi
If you miss an appointment, make another one straight away. For the treatment to be
fully effective, it is very important not to miss a dose.
Before stopping Columvi treatment
Speak with your doctor before stopping treatment. This is because stopping treatment
may make your condition worse.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or
nurse.
If you are given too much Columvi
As Columvi is given under the supervision of your doctor it is unlikely that you will
be given too much. However, if you experience any side effects after being given Columvi,
tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
5. What should I know while using Columvi?
Things you should do
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Columvi.
Pay attention to serious side effects.
Some side effects can sometimes be life-threatening and may happen any time during
Columvi treatment.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
experience any of the following side effects while receiving Columvi:
if you experience fever, fast heartbeat, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, chills, shortness
of breath. These may be symptoms of a serious condition known as cytokine release
syndrome, a serious condition.
if you develop fever, chills, difficulty breathing, burning sensation while passing
urine. These may be signs of an infection. Some infections may be life-threatening
or fatal.
if you experience kidney problems (weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue and confusion),
heart problems (fluttering of the heart or a faster or slower heartbeat), vomiting
or diarrhoea and tingling in the mouth, hands or feet. These may be signs of a condition
called tumour lysis syndrome.
your cancer appears to become worse and you develop tender swollen lymph nodes, chest
pain, cough, inability to breathe easily, or pain at the site of the tumour. These
may be symptoms of tumour flare.
Things you should not do
Do not miss any of your scheduled appointments.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Columvi
affects you.
Columvi is not likely to affect your ability to drive, cycle or use any tools or machines.
However, if you have symptoms of cytokine release syndrome (such as fever, fast heartbeat,
feeling dizzy or lightheaded, chills or shortness of breath) – do not drive, cycle
or use any tools or machines until you feel better.
Looking after your medicine
This medicine will be stored by your doctor at the hospital or clinic.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
|
Less serious side effects
|
What to do
|
|
Blood tests:
reduced levels of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), which may cause fever
or any symptoms of an infection
reduced red blood cells (anaemia), which may cause tiredness, feeling unwell and pale
skin
reduced platelets (a type of blood cell), which may cause unusual bruising or bleeding
low sodium levels in blood tests, which may cause tiredness, muscle twitching or cramps
increased levels in blood tests of liver enzymes and bilirubin (yellow substance in
blood), which may cause yellowing of skin or eyes, and dark urine
low levels of phosphate, magnesium, calcium or potassium
General:
fungal infection
Gastrointestinal system:
constipation
diarrhoea
feeling sick (nausea)
vomiting
Skin:
rash
Nervous system:
sleepiness
headache
trembling
confusion
|
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry
you.
|
Serious side effects
|
Serious side effects
|
What to do
|
|
Cytokine release syndrome; Symptoms include fever, fast heartbeat, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, chills, shortness
of breath, fever with low levels of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell)
Tumour flare;
Symptoms include your cancer appearing to become worse, developing tender swollen
lymph nodes, chest pain, cough, inability to breathe easily, or pain at the site of
the tumour
Tumour lysis syndrome;
Symptoms include weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue and confusion), heart problems
(fluttering of the heart or a faster or slower heartbeat), vomiting or diarrhoea and
tingling in the mouth, hands or feet
Infections:
Symptoms of infection include fever, chills, difficulty breathing, burning pain when
passing urine
viral infections, such as lung infection, shingles
bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infection, infection in or around the
stomach
infection in blood (sepsis), which may cause fever, chills and confusion
respiratory tract infections, such as runny nose, sore throat, sinus infections, and
chest colds
lung infection (pneumonia), which may cause fever, cough, and difficulty breathing
Bleeding:
bleeding in the stomach or gut (gastrointestinal haemorrhage), which may cause black
stools or blood in vomit
Nervous system:
swelling of the spinal cord (myelitis), which may cause muscle weakness or numbness
|
Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
|
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What Columvi contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
glofitamab
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
histidine
histidine hydrochloride monohydrate
methionine
sucrose
polysorbate 20 (E432)
water for injections
|
|
Potential allergens
|
nil
|
Tell your doctor or nurse if you are allergic to any of these ingredients in this
medicine.
What Columvi looks like
Columvi is a colourless, clear solution provided in a glass vial.
Columvi 2.5 mg/2.5 mL: Each vial contains 2.5 milligrams of glofitamab (in 2.5 mL)
(AUST R 389650)
Columvi 10 mg/10 mL: Each vial contains 10 milligrams of glofitamab (in 10 mL) (AUST
R 392331)
Who distributes Columvi
Roche Products Pty Limited
ABN 70 000 132 865
Level 8, 30-34 Hickson Road
Sydney NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
This leaflet was prepared in August 2023.