Retifanlimab-dlwr Injection

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Retifanlimab-dlwr injection is used to treat Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC; a type of skin cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body or that has come back after treatment with other medications. Retifanlimab-dlwb is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by helping your immune system to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Retifanlimab-dlwr comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected slowly into a vein over 30 minutes by a doctor or nurse. It is usually given once every 4 weeks for as long as your doctor recommends that you receive treatment.

Retifanlimab-dlwr injection may cause serious reactions during the infusion of the medication. You may be given other medications to treat or help prevent reactions to retifanlimab-dlwr. A doctor or nurse will monitor you carefully while you are receiving the medication. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms during the infusion: chills or shaking, itching, rash, flushing, shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, feeling faint, back or neck pain, or fever. Your doctor may need to slow down your infusion or delay or permanently stop your treatment if you experience these side effects.

Your doctor may also permanently or temporarily stop your treatment, or treat you with other medications if you experience other side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with retifanlimab-dlwr injection.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with retifanlimab-dlwr and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before receiving retifanlimab-dlwr injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to retifanlimab-dlwr, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in retifanlimab-dlwr injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an organ or bone marrow transplant and if you have or have ever had radiation therapy to your chest area; an autoimmune disease (condition in which the immune system attacks a healthy part of the body) such as Crohn's disease (condition in which the immune system attacks the lining of the digestive tract causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever), ulcerative colitis (condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum), or lupus (condition in which the immune system attacks many tissues and organs including the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys); diabetes; thyroid problems; any type of lung disease or breathing problems; any condition that affects your nervous system such as myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness) or Guillain-Barré syndrome (weakness, tingling, and possible paralysis due to sudden nerve damage); or kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You will need to take a pregnancy test before you receive retifanlimab-dlwr injection. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving retifanlimab-dlwr injection. You should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with retifanlimab-dlwr injection and for 4 months after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant while receiving retifanlimab-dlwr injection, call your doctor immediately. Retifanlimab-dlwr injection may harm the fetus.
• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while receiving retifanlimab-dlwr injection and for 4 months after your final dose.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

If you miss an appointment to receive retifanlimab-dlwr injection, call your doctor as soon as possible.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Retifanlimab-dlwr injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• muscle or bone pain
• nausea
• tiredness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• new or worsening cough
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• irregular heartbeat
• swelling of feet, ankles, or lower legs
• diarrhea; blood in stools; dark, tarry, sticky stools; or stomach area pain or tenderness
• yellowing of skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, loss of appetite, decreased energy, or pain on right side of stomach area
• headaches that won't go away or unusual headaches; rapid heartbeat; constipation; increased sweating; voice changes; weight changes; feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual; dizziness or fainting; hair loss; changes in mood or behavior such as decreased sex drive, feeling irritable, confused, or forgetful; constipation; increased urination; or feeling cold
• changes in vision, including sensitivity to light, eye pain
• tingling and weakness in the feet, legs, hands, and arms
• stiff neck
• decreased urination; blood in urine; swelling in ankles; or loss of appetite
• rash
• itching
• blistering or peeling skin
• sores in mouth, nose, throat, or genital area
• swollen glands
• fever or flu-like symptoms
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Retifanlimab-dlwr may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will/may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to retifanlimab-dlwr injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: May 15, 2023.