Poteligeo

Poteligeo is a prescription medication used to treat some types of skin lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells that starts in the skin. Poteligeo is for adults with mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sezary syndrome (SS) who had previous systemic (whole-body) treatment, and whose cancer didn’t get better, or got better but came back.

Poteligeo belongs to a group of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. It binds to certain cancerous T-cells, triggering your body’s immune cells to specifically target them. 

This medication comes in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by your doctor or healthcare provider. You may receive seven treatments for the first cycle and then receive two treatments in subsequent cycles; each cycle is 28 days.

Common side effects include rash, tiredness, diarrhea, muscle and bone pain, and upper respiratory tract infection.

Poteligeo is a prescription anti-cancer medication that is used to treat patients with some kinds of skin lymphoma. 

Poteligeo is for adults with mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sezary syndrome (SS) who had previous systemic (whole-body) treatment, and whose cancer didn’t get better, or got better but came back.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

Potelgio can cause serious side effects. See "Potelgio Precautions" section.

The most common side effects of Potelgio include:

• rash
• tiredness
• diarrhea
• muscle and bone pain
• upper respiratory tract infection

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. No official interaction studies have been performed with Poteligeo but because Poteligeo can reduce your body's ability to fight off infection tell your doctor before taking Poteligeo if you are receiving:

• Live and weakened viral vaccines including:
  • ​Flu vaccines
  • Mump vaccines
  • Measle vaccines
  • Rubella vaccines
  • Polio vaccines
  • Rotavirus vaccines
  • Chickenpox vaccines
  • Shingles vaccines
  • Typhoid vaccines
  • Yellow fever vaccines

This is not a complete list of Poteligeo drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Poteligeo may cause serious side effects that can be severe, life-threatening or lead to death. Call or see your healthcare provider right away if you develop any symptoms of the following problems or if these symptoms get worse:

Skin problems. Signs and symptoms of skin reactions may include:

• skin pain
• itching
• skin blistering or peeling
• rash
• painful sores or ulcers in your mouth, nose, throat, or genital area

Infusion reactions. Signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include:

• chills or shaking
• redness on your face (flushing)
• itching or rash
• shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing
• dizziness
• feeling like passing out
• tiredness
• fever

Infections. Signs and symptoms of infection may include:

• fever, sweats, or chills
• nausea
• flu-like symptoms
• sore throat or difficulty swallowing
• shortness of breath
• diarrhea or stomach pain
• cough

Autoimmune problems. Some people receiving Poteligeo develop autoimmune problems (a condition where the immune cells in your body attack other cells or organs in the body). Some people who already have an autoimmune disease may get worse during treatment with Poteligeo.

Complications of stem cell transplantation that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic) after treatment with Poteligeo. These complications can be severe and can lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for signs of complications if you have an allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious.Your healthcare provider will check you for these problems during treatment with Poteligeo. Your healthcare provider may need to delay or completely stop treatment with Poteligeo if you have severe side effects.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Poteligeo, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet.

Before receiving Poteligeo treatment, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have had a severe skin reaction after receiving Poteligeo.
• have had an infusion-related reaction during or after receiving Poteligeo.
• have or have had liver problems including hepatitis B (HBV) infection.
• have a history of autoimmune problems
• have undergone or plan to have a stem cell transplant, using stem cells from a donor.
• have lung or breathing problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Poteligeo will harm your unborn baby.
  • If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Poteligeo.
  • Females who are able to become pregnant should use an effective method of birth control during treatment with Poteligeo and for at least 3 months after the last dose of Poteligeo. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with Poteligeo.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Poteligeo passes into your breast milk Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with Poteligeo.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Poteligeo will harm your unborn baby. 

• If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Poteligeo.
• Females who are able to become pregnant should use an effective method of birth control during treatment with Poteligeo and for at least 3 months after the last dose of Poteligeo. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with Poteligeo.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Poteligeo passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with Poteligeo.

• Your healthcare provider will give you Poteligeo into your vein through an intravenous (IV) line over at least 60 minutes.
• Poteligeo is usually given on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of the first 28-day cycle, then on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle thereafter.
• Your healthcare provider will decide how many treatments you need based on how well you respond and tolerate the treatment.
• If you miss any appointments call your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. 

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• your weight
• how your body responds to this medication

Poteligeo is injected into a vein (IV) on days 1, 8, 15, 22 of the first 28-day cycle, then on days 1 and 15 of each subsequent 28-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

If a dose is missed, the next dose should be given as soon as possible and the regular dosing schedule should be resumed.

If you take too much this medication, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If this medication is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if an overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• It is important for you to keep all appointments. Call your doctor if you must miss an appointment. There may be special instructions for you.
• Your doctor may change how often you get Poteligeo, how much you get, or how long the infusion will take.
• You and your doctor will discuss how many times you will get Poteligeo.