LARTRUVO (olaratumab) is a prescription medicine used with a type of chemotherapy called doxorubicin to treat adult patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) for whom doxorubicin is appropriate and who cannot be cured with radiation or surgery.
Have you already been prescribed LARTRUVO + doxorubicin? For tips on preparing for your infusion, click here.
The most common side effects of LARTRUVO include:
This is not a full list of side effects
Talk to your healthcare team if you notice side effects, including any signs of fever.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Your treatment will be scheduled in cycles. There are 3 weeks (21 days) in each treatment cycle. You will be given treatment on Days 1 and 8 of each 3-week (21-day) cycle.
On the 1st day of treatment, you will receive both LARTRUVO and doxorubicin.
On the 8th day, you will receive LARTRUVO only.
Your doctor will start you on treatment with LARTRUVO and doxorubicin, and may adjust the medicines in your treatment plan over time.
Dosing schedule
On Day 1 of each treatment cycle, you will receive 1 hour of LARTRUVO followed by 1 hour or less of doxorubicin.
You will receive medications before your LARTRUVO infusion. This will help prepare your body for treatment with LARTRUVO.
Your treatment plan may include LARTRUVO and doxorubicin for up to 8 cycles of treatment.
After the 8th cycle, your healthcare team may decide to continue treatment with LARTRUVO alone. This will depend on the progress of your disease and how your body responds to therapy.
If your disease progresses at any point during treatment, your doctor will end treatment with LARTRUVO and discuss with you the appropriate next steps for your treatment plan.
LARTRUVO is given by intravenous (IV) infusion in a doctor's office, hospital, or infusion center.
You may be at the infusion center for a total of 2 to 3 hours.
Treatment with LARTRUVO + doxorubicin is most likely to happen at an infusion center or cancer center in a hospital.
An infusion center can have private rooms or an open floor layout, so you may be in the room with other people who are also receiving treatment. Many infusion centers with open floors have curtains for privacy.
You will receive treatment in a specially designed infusion chair that allows the nurse to easily connect you to an IV line. Because infusions can take a few hours, the chair is designed to be comfortable, and usually reclines so you can relax.
You will encounter several people during your infusion. This includes a nurse who specializes in giving cancer treatment, the staff who are there to sign you in and assist you, and a doctor. This may be your doctor or a different doctor who works at the center.
It’s time for your LARTRUVO + doxorubicin treatment. You’ve got this. The tips below are designed to help you get started. Remember, everyone is different, and many people will want to give you advice. But it’s important to find what works best for you—your preferences, your needs, and your comfort.
There’s no way to predict exactly how your body will react to different medications, so it’s a good idea to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your infusion.
If you can, familiarize yourself with the location of your infusion site, where to park, and where to sign in upon arrival.
Dress comfortably in soft, loose clothes. For extra comfort, bring your favorite pair of socks and slippers.
It is important to maintain proper nutrition and to stay hydrated. It is also important to minimize stress on your infusion days—planning healthy meals in advance can help both causes.
TIP: Don’t eat 1 to 2 hours before treatment. Avoid eating favorite foods when feeling nauseated as this may diminish your enjoyment of these foods later. A bad experience could turn your most favorites into your least favorites!
A loved one can make all the difference
A family member or friend can be a great distraction and can provide emotional support. They can also help take notes and organize information, such as post-treatment instructions.
Confirm in advance that your treatment location allows visitors to stay with you during treatment.
On the day of your infusion, the last thing you want to do is go searching for paperwork.
Put all your important documents in one travel binder, with backup copies at home, just in case you need them:
Snacks
Hard candy
Lip balm, lotion, and ice
Entertainment
Going home
You may feel hopeful, relieved, overwhelmed, or just tired. You may experience a range of emotions, but you won’t know until you get there.
One thing is for sure: You got up. You did it. You just got a round of treatment under your belt. Be proud. Pat yourself on the back. Today was a major accomplishment.
Here are a few things to keep in mind during your first 24 hours after treatment:
Reflect on what worked in your appointment. What went well? What could be improved the next time?
Your doctor is there to help, so don’t hesitate to call. If you develop any side effects, call your doctor.
A journal can be useful to keep track of side effects, including their severity and how long they last. It can also be helpful as an emotional outlet. You can also keep track of memorable moments and experiences, or note down questions for your doctor so they can remain fresh in your mind.
Once you’re home, it is important to follow any instructions you received. Take your medication on time, rest, hydrate, and eat.
You can ask your family member or friend to help make sure you’ve picked up any medication you’ll need before returning home.
LARTRUVO (olaratumab) is a prescription medicine used with a type of chemotherapy called doxorubicin to treat adult patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) for whom doxorubicin is appropriate and who cannot be cured with radiation or surgery.
There is an ongoing study to confirm how LARTRUVO works in combination with doxorubicin.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Before you receive LARTRUVO, tell your doctor if you:
Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications.
LARTRUVO is available by prescription only.
Please see full Prescribing Information for additional information about LARTRUVO.
OR CON ISI 12JAN2017