Generic Name: tositumomab (TOE si too MOE mab)
Brand Names: Bexxar Dosimetric, BexxarTherapeutic
What is BexxarTherapeutic (tositumomab)?
Tositumomab is a monoclonal antibody that is linked with radioactive iodine I-131. Monoclonal antibodies are made to target and destroy only certain cells in the body. This may help to protect healthy cells from damage.
Tositumomab is used to treat certain forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is usually given after other medications have been tried without successful treatment.
Tositumomab may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about BexxarTherapeutic (tositumomab)?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to mouse proteins, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a monoclonal antibody.
Before you receive tositumomab, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or severe bone marrow suppression.
Tositumomab can cause damage to the thyroid gland of an unborn baby if the mother receives this medication during pregnancy. You should not receive this medication if you are pregnant.
Tositumomab can be harmful to an unborn baby whether the father or the mother receives this medication at the time of conception. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment, whether you are a man or a woman. Continue using birth control for at least 12 months after you have received tositumomab.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine just after you receive tositumomab. After you are treated with tositumomab, your body will retain radioactive material for several days. During this time you will be giving off a small amount of radiation to others around you. Your caregivers should give you instructions about how to avoid exposing other people to radiation until this effect wears off. Follow these instructions carefully. Take all medications your doctor prescribes to help protect your thyroid gland when you receive tositumomab. You may need to have blood tests to check your thyroid function at regular intervals for the rest of your life. Visit your doctor regularly.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive BexxarTherapeutic (tositumomab)?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to mouse proteins, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a monoclonal antibody. FDA pregnancy category X. Tositumomab can cause damage to the thyroid gland of an unborn baby if the mother receives this medication during pregnancy. You should not receive this medication if you are pregnant.
Tositumomab can be harmful to an unborn baby whether the father or the mother receives this medication at the time of conception. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment, whether you are a man or a woman. Continue using birth control for at least 12 months after you have received tositumomab.
Some people treated with tositumomab later developed leukemia or other cancers. However, it has not been determined whether this medication actually increases the risk of causing other cancers. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
How is tositumomab given?
Before and during your tositumomab treatment, you will be given other medications to protect your thyroid gland and to help prevent allergic reactions. You may need to keep taking some of these medications for up to 2 weeks after your treatment.
The tositumomab treatment is usually given in two steps over a span of 7 days. In the first treatment step, you will receive the two injections just before you undergo an x-ray scan of your entire body. This scan will show your doctor how well the radioactive ingredients of the tositumomab injections are circulating throughout your body. You may receive at least 2 more scans over the next 6 or 7 days.
Based on the results of your scans, your doctor will determine whether or not to give the second step of tositumomab treatment, and how large your dose should be.
In step 2 of the treatment, you will again receive the two injections one at a time. These injections are considered your therapeutic dose. The 2-step tositumomab treatment is usually given only once, so you are not likely to receive a second course of treatment with this medication.
Wash your hands often to prevent infections. After you are treated with tositumomab, your body will retain radioactive material for several days. During this time you will be giving off a small amount of radiation to others around you. Your caregivers should give you instructions about how to avoid exposing other people to radiation until this effect wears off.
Tositumomab can increase your risk of developing hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Hypothyroidism can be treated with daily thyroid replacement medication.
Take all medications your doctor prescribes to help protect your thyroid gland when you receive tositumomab. You may need to have blood tests to check your thyroid function at regular intervals for the rest of your life. Visit your doctor regularly.
Tositumomab can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. You may also have an allergic reaction to diagnostic tests or treatments using mouse proteins or monoclonal antibodies. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have been treated with tositumomab.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since tositumomab is given in a controlled setting by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of this medication is very unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid after receiving BexxarTherapeutic (tositumomab)?
Do not receive a "live" vaccine just after you receive tositumomab. Ask your doctor how long after your treatment you should wait before receiving any vaccines.
Avoid sports or activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use a soft toothbrush to keep your gums from bleeding. Take extra care not to cut yourself while shaving.
Avoid handling any of your body fluids without wearing latex rubber gloves. If another person is handling your fluids (vomit, stools, or urine), they should wear gloves, eye protection, and a mask to cover the nose and mouth.
When cleaning any spills of bodily fluid, use only disposable cleaning cloths that can be flushed down a toilet. Ask your doctor or health department how to dispose of any bodily fluid spills that cannot be flushed down a toilet.
To protect others from exposure to the radioactive matter in your body, try to stay at least 6 feet away from other people, especially children or pregnant women. Follow these steps for several days after your tositumomab treatment ends:
Avoid crowds and public places.
Avoid traveling on long trips.
Do not share a bed or bathroom with another person.
Sit on the toilet while urinating and flush 3 times with the lid down after use.
Always wash your hands after using the bathroom.
Do not share a towel, wash cloth, or toothbrush with another person.
Do not share drinking glasses, plates, or silverware.
Wait at least 1 week before washing any of the clothing and bed or bath linens you have used during the week after your treatment. Keep these items separate from the laundry of other people in your home.
Wash your clothing and other items separately from other laundry in your home.
BexxarTherapeutic (tositumomab) side effects
Some people receiving tositumomab have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregivers right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, or short of breath, or if you have fever or chills during the injection. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
blood in your urine;
fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;
cough with yellow or green mucus; or
stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath.
Less serious side effects may include:
decreased energy;
weight gain;
headache;
joint or muscle pain;
feeling weak or irritable;
increased thirst and hot, dry skin;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
loss of appetite;
mild itching or skin rash;
runny or stuffy nose; or
pain, itching, swelling, or redness around your IV needle.
What other drugs will affect BexxarTherapeutic (tositumomab)?
More BexxarTherapeutic resources
- BexxarTherapeutic Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- BexxarTherapeutic Drug Interactions
- BexxarTherapeutic Support Group
- 0 Reviews for BexxarTherapeutic - Add your own review/rating
- Tositumomab Monograph (AHFS DI)
- tositumomab Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Tositumomab MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare BexxarTherapeutic with other medications
- Diagnosis and Investigation
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about tositumomab.
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