Polivy 140 mg powder for concentrate for infusion solution
Spain
Table of Contents
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Introduction
Package leaflet: information for the user
Polivy 30 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
Polivy 140 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
polatuzumab vedotin
This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring, which will facilitate the rapid detection of new safety information. You can help by reporting any adverse reactions you may experience. Section 4 at the end of this leaflet includes information on how to report adverse reactions.
Read the entire leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine, because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
- If you have any questions, ask your doctor or nurse.
- If you experience any adverse reactions, consult your doctor or nurse, even if they are not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
Leaflet contents
- What Polivy is and what it is used for
- What you need to know before Polivy is administered to you
- How Polivy is administered
- Possible adverse reactions
- How to store Polivy
- Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Polivy is and what it is used for
What Polivy is
Polivy is an anticancer medicine that contains the active substance called "polatuzumab vedotin".
This medicine is always used together with other anticancer medicines; see below "Other medicines administered with Polivy".
What Polivy is used for
Polivy is given to treat "diffuse large B-cell lymphoma" that has not been previously treated.
Polivy is also given to treat "diffuse large B-cell lymphoma" that has relapsed or has not improved:
- after at least one prior treatment, and
- when you are unable to receive a stem cell transplant.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a cancer that arises from B lymphocytes, also known as B cells. These are a type of blood cell in the lymphatic system.
How Polivy works
Polivy is a "monoclonal antibody" linked to a cell-killing substance called MMAE.
- One part of the monoclonal antibody in the medicine binds to B cells.
- Once bound to the B cells, the medicine releases MMAE inside the B cells, killing them.
Other medicines administered with Polivy
Polivy is administered in combination with other anticancer medicines:
- Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone for "diffuse large B-cell lymphoma" that has not been previously treated.
- Rituximab and bendamustine for "diffuse large B-cell lymphoma" that has relapsed or has not improved after at least one prior treatment and when you are unable to receive a stem cell transplant.
2. What you need to know before Polivy is administered to you
Do not receive Polivy if:
- You are allergic to polatuzumab vedotin or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- You have a serious active infection.
If either of these applies to you, you must not receive Polivy. If you are unsure, contact your doctor or nurse before receiving Polivy.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or nurse before receiving Polivy if:
- You have ever had brain or nerve problems such as:
- memory problems
- difficulties moving or sensing sensations in your body, such as tingling, burning, pain, or discomfort even with light touch
- vision problems
- You have ever had liver problems
- You think you may currently have an infection or have had persistent or repeated infections (see “Infections” in section 4)
- You are due to receive a vaccine or know you may need one in the near future
If any of the above apply to you (or if you are unsure), consult your doctor or nurse before receiving Polivy.
Be alert to the following adverse effects
Polivy may cause some serious adverse effects that you must report immediately to your doctor or nurse. These include:
Myelosuppression
Myelosuppression is a condition in which the production of normal blood cells is reduced, leading to lower numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Your doctor will perform blood tests to monitor your blood cell counts.
Immediately report to your doctor or nursing staff if:
- You have chills or shivering
- You have a fever
- You have headaches
- You feel tired
- You experience dizziness
- You look pale
- You have unusual bleeding, bruising under the skin, longer-than-usual bleeding after a blood draw, or bleeding from the gums
Peripheral neuropathy
Immediately report to your doctor or nursing staff if you experience any changes in skin sensation, especially in your hands or feet, such as:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Burning sensation
- Pain
- Discomfort or weakness
- Difficulty walking
If you experienced any of these symptoms before starting Polivy treatment, inform your doctor immediately, as well as if you notice any changes in these symptoms.
If you develop symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, your doctor may reduce your dose.
Infections
Signs and symptoms of infections vary among individuals; immediately report to your doctor or nursing staff if you develop symptoms of an infection, such as:
- Fever
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Painful skin rash
- Sore throat
- Burning/pain when urinating
- Feeling weak or generally unwell
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (also called PML)
PML is a very rare and potentially fatal brain infection that has been reported in one patient receiving Polivy in combination with bendamustine and another medicine called obinutuzumab.
Immediately report to your doctor or nursing staff if you experience:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty walking
- Vision problems
If you have had any of these symptoms before Polivy treatment, inform your doctor immediately if you notice any changes. You may require medical treatment.
Tumor lysis syndrome
Some people may develop abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the blood (such as potassium and uric acid) due to the rapid breakdown of cancer cells during treatment. This is called "tumor lysis syndrome." Your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse will perform blood tests to monitor your condition.
Infusion-related reactions
Infusion-related reactions, allergic reactions, or anaphylactic reactions (more severe allergies) may occur. Your doctor or nurse will monitor you for side effects during the infusion and for 30 to 90 minutes afterward. If you have a serious reaction, your doctor may discontinue treatment with Polivy.
Hepatotoxicity
This medicine may cause inflammation or damage to liver cells, which can affect normal liver function. This may be detected by damaged liver cells releasing higher-than-normal amounts of certain substances (liver enzymes and bilirubin) into the bloodstream, leading to elevated levels in blood tests.
In most cases, no symptoms occur, but immediately inform your doctor and nurse if you experience:
- Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Your doctor will perform blood tests to check your liver function before and regularly during treatment.
Children and adolescents
This medicine should not be used in children or adolescents under 18 years of age. This is because there is no information available on its use in this age group.
Other medicines and Polivy
Other medicines and vaccines
Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken, or might need to take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal remedies.
Also inform your doctor or nurse if you are due to receive a vaccine or know you may need one in the near future.
Contraception (men and women)
Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment and for 9 months after the last dose of Polivy.
Men must use contraception during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose of Polivy.
Pregnancy
It is important to inform your doctor before and during treatment if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or intend to become pregnant. This is because Polivy may affect your baby's health.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant unless you and your doctor decide that the benefits outweigh the potential risks to the fetus.
Breast-feeding
You must not breast-feed while receiving Polivy and for at least 3 months after the last dose, as a small amount of Polivy may pass into breast milk.
Fertility
Men are advised to have sperm samples frozen and stored before starting treatment with this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Polivy may slightly affect your ability to drive, ride a bicycle, or operate tools or machinery. If you experience infusion-related reactions or nerve damage, or feel tired, weak, or dizzy (see section 4), you should not drive, ride a bicycle, or use tools or machinery until the reaction has resolved.
See section 4 for more information about these effects.
Polivy contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per dose, meaning it is essentially "sodium-free."
Polivy contains polysorbates
Polivy 30 mg contains 1.8 mg of polysorbate 20 per vial. Polivy 140 mg contains 8.4 mg of polysorbate 20 per vial, equivalent to 1.2 mg/ml. Polysorbates may cause allergic reactions. Inform your doctor if you have any known allergies.
3. How Polivy is administered
Polivy is administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the administration of this type of treatment.
It is given intravenously as an infusion over 90 minutes.
What dose of Polivy is administered
The dose of this medicine depends on your body weight.
- The initial dose of this medicine is 1.8 mg per kilogram of body weight.
- If you have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, your doctor may reduce your dose.
How often Polivy is administered
- Each cycle lasts 21 days.
- You will receive 6 cycles of Polivy treatment in combination with other medicines.
With which other medicines Polivy is administered
- rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone for previously untreated “diffuse large B-cell lymphoma”
- rituximab and bendamustine for “diffuse large B-cell lymphoma” that has relapsed or did not improve after at least one prior treatment—and when you cannot receive a stem cell transplant.
If you miss a dose of Polivy
If you miss your appointment, schedule another one as soon as possible. To ensure the treatment is fully effective, it is very important not to miss any doses.
If you interrupt treatment with Polivy
Do not stop using Polivy unless you have discussed it with your doctor. This is because interrupting treatment could stop the medicine’s effect.
If you have further questions about the use of this medicine, please contact your doctor or nurse.
4. Possible adverse effects
Like all medicines, this one may cause adverse effects, although not everybody experiences them. The following adverse effects have been reported with this medicine:
Serious adverse effects
Immediately inform your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following serious adverse effects, as you may require urgent medical treatment. These may be new symptoms or a change in your current symptoms.
-
infusion-related reactions: your doctor will monitor you for these for 30–90 minutes after infusion
-
fever and chills
-
rash/hives
-
serious infections
-
pneumonia (lung infection)
-
herpes infection
-
viral infections
-
upper respiratory tract infection
-
skin infection
-
lower urinary tract infection
-
abnormal bleeding or bruising under the skin
-
memory loss, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, or vision problems
-
yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
-
shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
Other side effects:
Inform your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following side effects:
Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people:
-
pneumonia (lung infections)
-
runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and cough (upper respiratory tract infection)
-
numbness, tingling, burning sensation, pain, discomfort, weakness, and/or difficulty walking (peripheral neuropathy)
-
fever
-
cough
-
vomiting
-
diarrhea or constipation
-
mouth or intestinal sores, pain, or inflammation (mucositis)
-
malaise (nausea)
-
abdominal (stomach) pain
-
fatigue
-
loss of appetite
-
weight loss
-
infusion-related reactions
-
common cold
-
hair loss
-
changes in blood tests:
-
low levels of all types of white blood cells (combined)
-
low levels of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), with or without fever
-
low platelet count (a type of blood cell that helps blood to clot)
-
low red blood cell count (anemia)
-
low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia)
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
-
serious infection (sepsis)
-
urinary tract infection
-
viral infections
-
herpes infection
-
skin infection
-
lung inflammation
-
shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
-
dizziness
-
fluid retention causing swelling in the lower legs or hands (peripheral edema)
-
high levels of transaminase in the blood
-
joint pain
-
itching
-
chills
-
rash
-
dry skin
-
muscle pain
-
changes in blood tests:
-
decrease in all types of blood cells (pancytopenia)
-
low lymphocyte count (a type of white blood cell)
-
low phosphate levels in the blood (hypophosphatemia)
-
low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia)
-
low albumin levels in the blood (hypoalbuminemia)
-
high levels of lipase enzyme in the blood
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
- blurred vision
Immediately inform your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the adverse effects listed above.
Reporting of adverse effects
If you experience any adverse effect, consult your doctor or nurse, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this leaflet. You may also report them directly through the national reporting system included in Appendix V. By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. Storage of Polivy
Polivy will be stored by healthcare professionals at the hospital or clinic. The storage details are as follows:
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the container after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month indicated.
- Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C).
- Do not freeze.
- Keep the container in the outer packaging to protect it from light.
Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Your healthcare professional will dispose of any unused medicines properly. This helps protect the environment.
6. Contents of the container and other information
Composition of Polivy
- The active substance is polatuzumab vedotin.
- Polivy 30 mg: each vial contains 30 milligrams (mg) of polatuzumab vedotin.
- Polivy 140 mg: each vial contains 140 milligrams (mg) of polatuzumab vedotin.
- After each reconstitution, each milliliter (ml) contains 20 mg of polatuzumab vedotin.
- The other components are succinic acid, sodium hydroxide, sucrose, and polysorbate 20. See section 2, “Polivy contains sodium and polysorbates.”
Appearance of Polivy and contents of the container
Polivy powder for concentrate for solution for infusion is a white to slightly greyish-white powder supplied in a glass vial.
Each pack of Polivy contains one vial.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Roche Registration GmbH
Emil-Barell-Strasse 1
79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen
Germany
Manufacturer responsible
Roche Pharma AG
Emil-Barell-Strasse 1
79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen
Germany
For more information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorization Holder:
Belgium/Belgium/Belgium, Luxembourg/Luxembourg N.V. Roche S.A. Belgium/Belgium/Belgium Tel/Tel: +32 (0) 2 525 82 11 | Latvia Roche Latvija SIA Tel: +371 – 67 039831 |
| Lithuania UAB “Roche Lietuva” Tel: +370 5 2546799 |
Czech Republic Roche s. r. o. Tel: +420 - 2 20382111 | Hungary Roche (Hungary) Kft. Tel: +36 – 23 446 800 |
Denmark Roche Pharmaceutical A/S Tlf: +45 - 36 39 99 99 | Netherlands Roche Nederland B.V. Tel: +31 (0) 348 438050 |
Germany Roche Pharma AG Tel: +49 (0) 7624 140 | Norway Roche Norge AS Tlf: +47 - 22 78 90 00 |
Estonia Roche Eesti OÜ Tel: + 372 - 6 177 380 | Austria Roche Austria GmbH Tel: +43 (0) 1 27739 |
Greece, Cyprus Roche (Hellas) A.E. Greece Tel: +30 210 61 66 100 | Poland Roche Polska Sp. z o.o. Tel: +48 - 22 345 18 88 |
Spain Roche Farma S.A. Tel: +34 - 91 324 81 00 | Portugal Roche Farmacêutica Química, Lda Tel: +351 - 21 425 70 00 |
France Roche Tél: +33 (0) 1 47 61 40 00 | Romania Roche România S.R.L. Tel: +40 21 206 47 01 |
Roche d.o.o. Tel: +385 1 4722 333 | Slovenia Roche farmacevtska družba d.o.o. Tel: +386 - 1 360 26 00 |
Ireland, Malta Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd. Ireland/Ireland Tel: +353 (0) 1 469 0700 | Slovak Republic Roche Slovensko, s.r.o. Tel: +421 - 2 52638201 |
Iceland Roche Pharmaceutical A/S c/o Icepharma hf Tel: +354 540 8000 | Finland/Finland Roche Oy Puh/Tel: +358 (0) 10 554 500 |
Italy Roche S.p.A. Tel: +39 - 039 2471 | Sweden Roche AB Tel: +46 (0) 8 726 1200 |
Date of last review of this summary: {MM/YYYY}
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: https://www.ema.europa.eu/
Information intended only for healthcare professionals:
Appropriate procedures for handling and disposal of anticancer drugs should be considered.
Reconstitution instructions
- Polivy 30 mg: Using a sterile syringe, slowly inject 1.8 ml of sterile water for injection into the Polivy 30 mg vial to obtain a single-dose solution containing 20 mg/ml of polatuzumab vedotin. Direct the stream onto the vial wall and not directly onto the lyophilized powder.
- Polivy 140 mg: Using a sterile syringe, slowly inject 7.2 ml of sterile water for injection into the Polivy 140 mg vial to obtain a single-dose solution containing 20 mg/ml of polatuzumab vedotin. Direct the stream onto the vial wall and not directly onto the lyophilized powder.
- Gently rotate the vial until the powder is completely dissolved. Do not shake.
- Inspect the reconstituted solution for particles and discoloration. The reconstituted solution should be colorless to slightly brown, clear to slightly opalescent, and free of visible particles. Do not use the reconstituted solution if it has changed color, is cloudy, or contains visible particles.
Dilution instructions
- Polivy must be diluted to a final concentration of 0.72–2.7 mg/ml in an intravenous infusion bag with a minimum volume of 50 ml, containing either 9 mg/ml sodium chloride solution for injection, 4.5 mg/ml sodium chloride solution for injection, or 5% glucose solution.
- Determine the volume of reconstituted solution at 20 mg/ml required based on the necessary dose (see below):
Total Polivy dose (ml) to be diluted later = | Polivy dose (mg/kg) × patient weight (kg) |
Concentration of reconstituted vial (20 mg/ml) |
- Using a sterile syringe, withdraw the appropriate amount of reconstituted solution from the Polivy vial and add it to the intravenous infusion bag. Discard any unused medicinal product remaining in the vial.
- To mix the solution, gently invert the bag. Do not shake.
- Visually inspect the intravenous bag and discard if particulate matter is present.
Reconstituted solution
From a microbiological standpoint, the reconstituted solution should be used immediately. If not used immediately, the in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and normally should not exceed 24 hours under refrigerated conditions (2°C–8°C), unless reconstitution has been carried out under controlled and validated aseptic conditions. Chemical and physical stability during use of the reconstituted solution has been demonstrated for up to 72 hours under refrigerated conditions (2°C–8°C) and up to 24 hours at room temperature (9°C–25°C).
Diluted solution
From a microbiological standpoint, the prepared infusion solution should be used immediately. If not used immediately, the storage time prior to use and the conditions before use are the responsibility of the user and should not exceed 24 hours under refrigerated conditions (2°C–8°C), unless dilution has been performed under controlled and validated aseptic conditions. Acceptable chemical and physical stability of the prepared infusion solution has been demonstrated for the durations shown in Table 1. The diluted Polivy solution must be discarded if the storage time exceeds the limits indicated in Table 1.
Table 1 Durations for which chemical and physical stability of the prepared infusion solution has been demonstrated
Diluent used to prepare the infusion solution | Storage conditions for the infusion solution1 |
Sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) | Up to 72 hours refrigerated (2°C–8°C) or up to 4 hours at room temperature (9°C–25°C) |
Sodium chloride 4.5 mg/ml (0.45%) | Up to 72 hours refrigerated (2°C to 8°C) or up to 8 hours at room temperature (9°C–25°C) |
5% Glucose | Up to 72 hours refrigerated (2°C–8°C) or up to 8 hours at room temperature (9°C to 25°C) |
1 To ensure product stability, do not exceed the specified storage durations.
