Active ingredient
- elotuzumab
Legal Category
POM: Prescription only medicine
POM: Prescription only medicine
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet are: EU/1/16/1088/002, EU/1/16/1088/001.
Empliciti 300 mg and 400 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Empliciti 300 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
Empliciti 400 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
elotuzumab
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Empliciti is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Empliciti
3. How to use Empliciti
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Empliciti
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Empliciti is and what it is used for
Empliciti contains the active substance elotuzumab, which is a monoclonal antibody, a type of protein designed to recognise and attach to a specific target substance in the body. Elotuzumab attaches to a target protein called SLAMF7. SLAMF7 is found in large amounts on the surface of multiple myeloma cells and on certain cells of your immune system (natural killer cells). When elotuzumab binds to SLAMF7 on the multiple myeloma or natural killer cells, it stimulates your immune system to attack and destroy the multiple myeloma cells.
Empliciti is used to treat multiple myeloma (a cancer of the bone marrow) in adults. Empliciti will be given to you together with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or together with pomalidomide and dexamethasone. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of a type of white blood cell called plasma cells. These cells divide out of control and collect in the bone marrow. This results in damage to the bones and kidneys.
Empliciti is used if your cancer has not responded to, or has come back after certain treatments.
2. What you need to know before you use Empliciti
You should not be given Empliciti
Warnings and precautions
Infusion related reaction
Tell your doctor or nurse straight away if you get any of the infusion related reactions listed at the top of section 4. These side effects mostly occur during or after the infusion of the first dose. You will be monitored for signs of such effects during and after the infusion.
Depending on the seriousness of the infusion related reactions, you may require additional treatment to prevent complications and reduce your symptoms, or your infusion of Empliciti may be interrupted. When the symptoms go away or improve, the infusion can be continued more slowly and speeded up gradually if the symptoms do not recur. Your doctor may decide not to continue Empliciti treatment if you have a strong infusion related reaction.
Before each infusion of Empliciti, you will be given medicines to reduce infusion related reaction (see section 3 “How to use Empliciti, Medicines given before each infusion”).
Before starting treatment with Empliciti, you must also read the package leaflet warnings and precautions of all medicines to be taken in combination with Empliciti for information related to these medicines. When lenalidomide is used, particular attention to pregnancy testing and prevention requirements is needed (see “Pregnancy and breast-feeding” in this section).
Children and adolescents
Empliciti is not recommended for use in children and adolescents aged under 18 years.
Other medicines and Empliciti
Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
For women taking Empliciti
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
You should not use Empliciti if you are pregnant, unless your doctor specifically recommends it. The effects of Empliciti in pregnant women or its possible harm to an unborn baby are unknown.
When Empliciti is given in combination with lenalidomide or pomalidomide, you must follow the pregnancy prevention programme for lenalidomide or pomalidomide respectively (see package leaflet for lenalidomide or pomalidomide). Lenalidomide and pomalidomide are expected to be harmful for an unborn baby.
It is not known, whether elotuzumab passes into breast milk or if there is any risk to the breast-fed infant. Elotuzumab will be given in combination with lenalidomide or pomalidomide and breast-feeding should be stopped because of the use of lenalidomide or pomalidomide.
For men taking Empliciti
You should use a condom while taking Empliciti and for 180 days after stopping treatment to ensure your partner does not become pregnant.
Driving and using machines
Empliciti is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, if you get an infusion related reaction (fever, chills, high blood pressure see section 4 “Possible side effects”), do not drive, cycle or use machines until the reaction stops.
Empliciti contains sodium
Tell your doctor if you are on a low-sodium (low-salt) diet before you are given Empliciti. This medicine contains 3.92 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) per 300 mg vial or 5.23 mg sodium per 400 mg vial. This is equivalent to 0.2% or 0.3% respectively, of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.
3. How to use Empliciti
How much Empliciti is given
The amount of Empliciti you will be given will be calculated based on your body weight.
How Empliciti is given
You will receive Empliciti under the supervision of an experienced healthcare professional. It will be given into a vein (intravenously) as a drip (infusion) over several hours.
Empliciti is taken in treatment cycles that are 28 days (4 weeks) long in combination with other medicines used to treat multiple myeloma.
When given in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, Empliciti is given as follows:
When given in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, Empliciti is given as follows:
Your doctor will continue to treat you with Empliciti for as long as the disease improves or remains stable and side effects are tolerable.
Medicines given before each infusion
You must receive the following medicines before each infusion of Empliciti to help reduce possible infusion related reactions:
If you miss a dose of Empliciti
Empliciti is used in combination with other medicines for multiple myeloma. If any medicine in the treatment is delayed, interrupted, or discontinued, your doctor will decide how your treatment should be continued.
If you are given too much Empliciti
As Empliciti will be given to you by a healthcare professional, it is unlikely you will be given too much. In the unlikely case of an overdose, your doctor will monitor you for side effects.
If you stop using Empliciti
Stopping your treatment with Empliciti may stop the effect of the medicine. Do not stop treatment unless you have discussed this with your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Your doctor will discuss these with you and will explain the risks and benefits of your treatment.
The following side effects have been reported in clinical trials with elotuzumab:
Infusion related reactions
Empliciti has been associated with infusion related reactions (see section 2 “Warnings and precautions”). Tell your doctor or nurse straight away if you feel unwell during infusion. Below is a list of typical symptoms associated with infusion related reactions:
Other symptoms may occur as well. Your doctor may consider slowing the Empliciti infusion or interrupting it to manage these symptoms.
Other side effects
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Tell your doctor immediately if you get any of the side effects listed above. Do not try to treat your symptoms with other medicines.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via (see details below). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Malta
United Kingdom
or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
5. How to store Empliciti
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the vial label and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C).
Do not freeze.
Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
After reconstitution, the reconstituted solution should be transferred from the vial to the infusion bag immediately.
After dilution, the infusion must be completed within 24 hours of preparation. The product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, the solution for infusion may be stored in the refrigerator (2 °C - 8 °C) for up to 24 hours.
Any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Empliciti contains
What Empliciti looks like and contents of the pack
Empliciti powder for concentrate for solution for infusion (powder for concentrate) is a white to off white whole or fragmented cake provided in a glass vial.
Empliciti is available in packs containing 1 vial.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Manufacturer
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
This leaflet was last revised in December 2020
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: http://www.ema.europa.eu. There are also links to other websites about rare diseases and treatments.
Bristol-Myers Squibb House, Uxbridge Business Park, Sanderson Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 1DH, UK
+44 (0) 800 731 1736