Blenrep (Belantamab Mafodotin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Blenrep Used For?
Blenrep is a specialized cancer treatment designed to target and destroy multiple myeloma cells in your bone marrow.
Primary Uses
Blenrep is used to treat adults with multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow. It’s given together with other anticancer medicines like bortezomib and dexamethasone, or pomalidomide and dexamethasone.
How It Works
Blenrep contains a monoclonal antibody connected to an anticancer medicine. The antibody is designed to find multiple myeloma cells in your body and bind to them. Once attached to the cancer cells, the anticancer medicine is released and kills the cancer cells.
How to Take Blenrep
Blenrep is given as an intravenous infusion in a hospital or clinic under medical supervision. You cannot take this medication at home.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will calculate the correct dose based on your body weight. Blenrep is given as an intravenous infusion over approximately 30 minutes. Your doctor will decide how many treatments you need and will administer it together with other multiple myeloma medicines.
What If You Miss a Dose?
It’s very important not to miss a dose to ensure your treatment works effectively. If you miss an appointment, contact your doctor or hospital immediately to reschedule as soon as possible.
Important: Never miss a scheduled dose – contact your healthcare team immediately if you cannot make an appointment
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:
- fever
- fatigue and general weakness
- anemia (low red blood cells)
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- cold or cold-like symptoms
- foamy or frothy urine
- abnormal blood test results
- abnormal levels of creatine phosphokinase
- constipation
- urinary tract infection
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- eye-related issues including blurred vision, dry eyes, eye pain, sensitivity to light
- abnormal bruising or bleeding (thrombocytopenia)
- pneumonia and lung problems
- disorder of blood vessels in the liver
- infusion-related reactions
- significant diarrhea episodes
- eye sores with possible infection
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- rapid heartbeat
- drop in blood pressure
Important Warnings
Blenrep has several important warnings you need to know about, especially regarding eye problems and other serious side effects.
Who Should Not Take Blenrep
Do not use Blenrep if you are allergic to belantamab mafodotin or any of the ingredients listed. This medicine is not intended for children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, have a history of hepatitis B infection, or have previously had reactions to infusions. Your doctor needs to know about all your health conditions before starting treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
You must not breastfeed during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose. Women who could become pregnant must take a pregnancy test before starting treatment and use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose. Men who could father a child must use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose.
Eye Problems: Blenrep can cause serious eye problems including changes to your eye surface, blurred vision, and dry eyes. You must have eye examinations before each dose
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Blenrep and affect how it works. Always tell your healthcare team about all medications you’re taking.
- Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking
- Some medicines may interfere with how Blenrep works
- Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure about any interactions
Alcohol & Driving
Blenrep can affect your vision and ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol interactions with Blenrep. Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Blenrep can cause vision problems that may affect your ability to drive or use machines safely. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are completely sure your vision is not affected. Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure about your ability to drive safely.
Temperature Regulation
No specific temperature regulation warnings are mentioned in the source material.
Storage
Blenrep will be stored and handled by healthcare professionals in the hospital or clinic. Unopened vials are stored in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C in the original container. The reconstituted solution can be stored for up to 4 hours at room temperature (20°C to 25°C) or in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours. The diluted solution can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before use, or kept at room temperature for a maximum of 6 hours including infusion time.
Overdose Information
Since Blenrep is given under medical supervision in a hospital or clinic, overdose is very unlikely. However, if you think you have received too much Blenrep, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if you have no symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify how long Blenrep takes to work. Your doctor will monitor your progress and determine how many treatments you need based on your individual response.
No, do not use contact lenses while receiving treatment with Blenrep unless specifically instructed by your eye care professional.
Blenrep can cause changes to the surface of your eye, blurred vision, and dry eyes. You need eye examinations before each of the first four doses, and your doctor may request additional eye tests. Some eye changes can happen without symptoms and may only be detected during an examination.
Apply lubricating and moistening eye drops (preservative-free artificial tears) before your infusion and continue using them at least 4 times a day while receiving treatment with Blenrep.
No, you must not breastfeed during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose of Blenrep. It’s not known if the medicine passes into breast milk.
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop abnormal bleeding or bruising. Blenrep can decrease your platelet count, which affects blood clotting. Your doctor will monitor your blood levels regularly.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or new onset or worsening cough, as these could be signs of serious lung inflammation that has occurred in some people receiving Blenrep.
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.