Gazyva (Obinutuzumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Gazyva Used For?
Gazyva contains obinutuzumab, a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and binds to proteins in your body to treat certain blood cancers.
Primary Uses
Gazyva is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), follicular lymphoma (FL) in patients who haven’t been treated before or who are no longer responding to rituximab treatment, and to reduce the severity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) which can be a serious side effect of glofitamab treatment.
How It Works
Gazyva recognizes and attaches to a protein called CD20 found on the surface of white blood cells known as B lymphocytes. When it binds to this protein, it stops the abnormal growth of B lymphocytes that are responsible for CLL and FL. For CLL, it’s used with chemotherapy medicine chlorambucil. For FL, it’s first given with chemotherapy medicines and then on its own.
How to Take Gazyva
Gazyva must be prepared by a healthcare professional and will be given in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or nurse through an IV infusion into your vein.
Dosage Instructions
For CLL: First infusion is 100 mg over 4 hours, second infusion is 900 mg (if first was well tolerated), subsequent infusions are 1000 mg. For FL: First and subsequent infusions are 1000 mg each. Maintenance treatment may continue once every 2 months for up to 2 years. For CRS prevention: Single 1000 mg dose 7 days before glofitamab treatment. You’ll receive other medicines before each infusion to reduce possible reactions.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Since Gazyva is given under medical supervision, you’re unlikely to miss a dose. However, if you forget or miss your appointment, don’t wait until the next planned dose – make another appointment as soon as possible.
Important: Your doctor will decide how many infusions you need and may adjust your infusion depending on how well each one is tolerated. You will be closely monitored during each infusion.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Frequent infections due to reduced immunity
- Pain in mouth or throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Joint, bone or muscle pain
- Headache
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Persistent cough
- Hair loss
- Night sweats
- Itchy skin
- Sleeplessness and feeling tired
- Feeling depressed or anxious
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
- Severe skin problems including rash, hardened or discolored skin lesions
- Severe or bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
- Abnormal or irregular heartbeat
- Bleeding or bruising more than normal
- Blood clots
- Confusion, memory loss, changes in movement or speech
- Progressive weakness, blurred or loss of vision
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions you need to know before receiving Gazyva treatment.
Who Should Not Take Gazyva
Do not use Gazyva if you are allergic to obinutuzumab or any ingredients listed, or if you have had an allergic reaction to any other proteins that are of mouse origin. Allergic reaction symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching or hives.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: infections or history of recurring infections like hepatitis B, heart disease including cardiac arrhythmias, angina, heart failure or recent heart attack, pre-existing lung disease, kidney disease, liver disease, if you take blood pressure or blood clot prevention medicines, or if you’ve had immunizations or take medicines affecting your immune system.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
It’s not known if Gazyva is harmful to unborn babies, so it’s not recommended during pregnancy. If you can become pregnant, use effective contraception during treatment and for 18 months after. Discontinue breastfeeding while receiving Gazyva and for 18 months after your final infusion.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy: PML is a rare, serious brain infection that can cause severe disability or death. Tell your partner or caregiver you’re receiving Gazyva and ask them to watch for changes in your movement or behavior. Report any changes to your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Gazyva can interact with certain medications, particularly those affecting blood pressure and blood clotting.
Blood Pressure Monitoring: Your doctor may advise you to temporarily stop taking blood pressure medicine before receiving Gazyva, as it may cause a temporary drop in blood pressure.
- Blood pressure medications (may need temporary discontinuation)
- Blood clot prevention medicines (may increase bleeding risk)
- Medicines affecting immune system (chemotherapy, immunosuppressive drugs)
- Any prescription or non-prescription medicines, vitamins, or supplements
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Gazyva affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption during treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Gazyva is unlikely to cause problems with driving or operating machinery. However, if you experience infusion reactions, allergic reactions, or heart problems, you should avoid driving or operating machinery until the reaction stops.
Storage
Gazyva will be stored by healthcare professionals in the pharmacy or hospital ward in a refrigerator at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C.
Overdose Information
Since Gazyva is given under medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. However, if you experience any side effects after receiving Gazyva, tell your doctor immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
The duration depends on your condition. For CLL and FL, you’ll receive multiple infusions over several months. Maintenance treatment for FL may continue once every 2 months for up to 2 years. Each infusion takes several hours and you’ll be monitored closely.
Tell your partner or caregiver that you’re receiving Gazyva and ask them to watch for any changes in your movement or behavior. If they notice any changes, tell your doctor immediately as this could be a sign of a serious brain infection called PML.
You should discuss any planned immunizations with your doctor. Gazyva affects your immune system, so your doctor needs to know about any vaccines you plan to receive.
Gazyva can reduce your immunity, making you more susceptible to infections. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop fever, severe chills, respiratory infections, shingles, mouth ulcers, or any signs of infection.
Signs include swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, difficulty breathing, rash, nausea, fever, chills, headache, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of these symptoms during or after your infusion.
No, do not stop your Gazyva treatment without talking to your doctor first. Your doctor will determine the appropriate duration of treatment based on your condition and response.
Tell all doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists that you are receiving Gazyva. This is important because it affects your immune system and may interact with other treatments or medications.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.