Darzalex (Daratumumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Darzalex Used For?
Darzalex is an anti-cancer medicine that helps treat a specific type of blood cancer. It works by targeting abnormal cells in your body so your immune system can destroy them.
Primary Uses
Darzalex is used to treat adults with multiple myeloma, which is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow. It may be given alone or combined with other cancer medicines.
How It Works
Darzalex belongs to a group of medicines called monoclonal antibodies. It works by attaching to specific abnormal blood cells in your body, helping your immune system recognize and destroy these cancer cells.
How to Take Darzalex
Darzalex is given only by healthcare professionals in a hospital or clinic setting. You cannot take this medicine at home.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will determine your exact dose based on your body weight. The usual starting dose is 16 mg per kg of body weight. The medicine is given as a slow drip into a vein (intravenous infusion) over several hours. Before each infusion, you’ll receive other medicines to help prevent allergic reactions, including antihistamines, corticosteroids, and fever-reducing medicines like paracetamol.
What If You Miss a Dose?
It’s very important to keep all your appointments to ensure your treatment works properly. If you miss an appointment, contact your healthcare team immediately to reschedule as soon as possible.
Important: Never skip appointments – consistent treatment timing is crucial for the medicine to work effectively
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:
- Constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain
- Muscle spasms, muscle and joint pain, nerve damage causing tingling or numbness
- Flu, lung infections, bronchitis, airway infections, COVID-19, urinary tract infections
- Low red blood cell count (anemia), low white blood cell count, low platelet count
- High blood sugar, low calcium, low potassium, low antibodies
- Fever, chills, feeling very tired or weak, fainting, difficulty sleeping
- Headache, dizziness, dehydration, unusual skin sensations
- Skin rash, itching, high blood pressure, swollen hands/ankles/feet
- Fluid buildup in lungs causing shortness of breath
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Infusion reactions: chills, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, runny/blocked nose, breathing problems, chest discomfort, dizziness, itching, wheezing, chest pain, eye pain, blurred vision
- Severe allergic reactions with swollen face/lips/mouth/tongue/throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, hives
- Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)
- Severe body-wide infection (sepsis), inflamed liver (hepatitis), inflamed pancreas
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before starting Darzalex treatment.
Who Should Not Take Darzalex
Do not use Darzalex if you are allergic to daratumumab or any of the other ingredients in the medicine. Children and adolescents under 18 years should not receive this medicine as its effects in young people are unknown.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any blood disorders with low white blood cells or platelets, as these may worsen during treatment. Also inform your doctor if you have ever had hepatitis B infection, as Darzalex could cause the virus to become active again. Your doctor will monitor you for signs of hepatitis B before, during, and after treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women receiving Darzalex must use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after treatment ends. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or your partner becomes pregnant while receiving treatment. If you’re breastfeeding, discuss with your doctor whether the benefits outweigh the risks, as the medicine may pass into breast milk.
Hepatitis B Risk: If you’ve ever had hepatitis B, tell your doctor immediately if you become increasingly tired or notice yellowing of your skin or eyes during treatment
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with how Darzalex works or be affected by it.
- Tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking
- Include prescription medicines, vitamins, and supplements
- Check with your doctor or pharmacist if unsure about any interactions
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities requiring alertness as Darzalex may affect your ability to function normally.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings were provided in the source material. Discuss alcohol consumption with your healthcare team.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Darzalex affects you. You may feel tired after treatment, which could impair your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Storage
Darzalex is stored by healthcare professionals at the hospital, clinic, or pharmacy. Unopened vials should be kept refrigerated at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, never frozen, and stored in the original package to protect from light. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
Since Darzalex is given by healthcare professionals, overdose is unlikely. If too much medicine is accidentally given, your doctor will monitor you closely for side effects and provide appropriate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Darzalex is given as a slow infusion over several hours. Your doctor will determine the treatment schedule, which may vary depending on whether it’s given alone or with other cancer medicines.
No, Darzalex must be given by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic setting as an intravenous infusion. It cannot be taken at home.
It’s very important to keep all appointments. If you miss one, contact your healthcare team immediately to reschedule as soon as possible to ensure your treatment remains effective.
Yes, your doctor will want to do blood, urine, and other tests regularly to monitor your progress and check for side effects. Always tell the person doing blood tests that you’re using Darzalex as it can affect test results.
Before each infusion, you’ll receive medicines to help prevent allergic reactions, including antihistamines, corticosteroids, and fever-reducing medicines like paracetamol. After the infusion, you may also receive corticosteroids.
Women receiving Darzalex should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after treatment ends. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment.
Watch for infusion reactions (chills, sore throat, cough, nausea, breathing problems) up to 3 days after treatment. Also monitor for signs of infection (fever), bleeding or bruising, and if you’ve had hepatitis B, watch for increasing tiredness or yellowing of skin/eyes.
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.