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Medication Information: Kymriah

Brand name: Kymriah

Generic name: Tisagenlecleucel

What is KYMRIAH?

KYMRIAH is made from your own white blood cells and is a prescription cancer treatment used in patients up to 25 years of age who have acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is either relapsing (went into remission, then came back) or is refractory (did not go into remission after receiving other leukemia treatments). It is also used in patients with large B-cell lymphoma or follicular lymphoma (FL), two types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, that have relapsed or are refractory after having at least two other kinds of treatment.

 

What is the most important information I should know about KYMRIAH?

KYMRIAH may cause side effects that are severe or life-threatening, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurological toxicities. Call your health care provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of:

  • Cytokine Release Syndrome:
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher)
    • Chills/shaking chills
    • Severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
    • Severe muscle or joint pain
    • Very low blood pressure
    • Dizziness/lightheadedness
  • Neurological Toxicities:
    • Altered or decreased consciousness
    • Delirium
    • Confusion
    • Agitation
    • Seizures
    • Difficulty speaking and understanding
    • Loss of balance

You may be admitted to the hospital and treated with other medications if you have any of these side effects. If you are admitted to the hospital, tell the health care provider that you have received KYMRIAH.

What are other serious side effects of KYMRIAH?

  • Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS): Be sure to discuss with your health care provider the possibility of developing this life-threatening condition, and thereafter, your doctor will monitor you for the possibility of developing HLH/MAS
  • Allergic Reactions: Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction, may occur after you receive KYMRIAH. Some signs and symptoms may include difficulty breathing, very low blood pressure, dizziness, swelling under skin, rash, nausea, and vomiting. You should seek emergency medical treatment right away if you have an allergic reaction
  • Serious Infections: KYMRIAH can increase the risk of life-threatening infections that may lead to death. Tell your health care provider right away if you develop fever, chills, or any signs or symptoms of an infection
  • Prolonged Low Blood Cell Counts (Cytopenias): KYMRIAH can lower 1 or more types of your blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets). After treatment, your health care provider may test your blood to check cell counts. Tell your health care provider right away if you get a fever or other symptoms of an infection, are feeling tired, weak, or short of breath, or have unusual bruising or bleeding
  • Hypogammaglobulinemia: A condition in which the level of immunoglobulins (antibodies) in your blood is low and the risk of infection is increased. It is expected that you may develop hypogammaglobulinemia with KYMRIAH, and you may need to receive immunoglobulin replacement for an indefinite amount of time following treatment with KYMRIAH. Tell your health care provider about your treatment with KYMRIAH before receiving a live vaccine
  • Secondary Cancers: KYMRIAH may increase your risk of getting cancers, including certain types of blood cancers. Your health care provider should monitor you for this