Tecentriq

Tecentriq is a prescription medication used to treat urothelial carcinoma, the most common type of bladder cancer. Tecentriq is also approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 

Tecentriq belongs to a group of drugs called PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. They work to help the body’s immune system fight cancer cells.

This medication is available as an injection and is injected into a vein by a healthcare professional. It is typically administered every 3 weeks. 

Common side effects of Tecentriq include feeling tired, decreased appetite, and nausea. 

Tecentriq is a prescription medication used to treat advanced urothelial carcinoma, a type of bladder and urinary tract cancer. Tecentriq may be given to those:

• whose cancer has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced urothelial carcinoma), and
• who are not able to take chemotherapy that contains a medicine called cisplatin, or
• who have tried chemotherapy that contains platinum, and it did not work or is no longer working

Tecentriq is also approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other parts of the body and has progressed during or after receiving chemotherapy containing platinum. For those with a tumor that has an abnormal EGFR or ALK gene, Tecentriq can be given if an FDA-approved therapy for tumors with these abnormal genes has been tried and it did not work or is no longer working. 

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

• Genentech, Inc.

Serious side effects have been reported with Tecentriq. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Tecentriq include the following:

• feeling tired
• decreased appetite
• nausea
• urinary tract infection
• fever
• constipation

This is not a complete list of side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

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

No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with Tecentriq including the following:

• Lung problems (pneumonitis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of pneumonitis:
  • new or worsening cough
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain
• Liver problems (hepatitis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of hepatitis:
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
  • severe nausea or vomiting
  • pain on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen)
  • drowsiness
  • dark urine (tea colored)
  • bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
  • feeling less hungry than usual
• Intestinal problems (colitis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of colitis:
  • diarrhea (loose stools) or more bowel movements than usual
  • blood in your stools or dark, tarry, sticky stools
  • severe stomach area (abdomen) pain or tenderness
• Hormone gland problems (especially the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms:
  • headaches that will not go away or unusual headaches
  • extreme tiredness
  • weight gain or weight loss
  • dizziness or fainting
  • feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual
  • hair loss
  • feeling cold
  • constipation
  • your voice gets deeper
  • urinating more often than usual
  • nausea or vomiting
  • stomach area (abdomen) pain
  • changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness
• Nervous system problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of nervous system problems:
  • severe muscle weakness
  • numbness or tingling in hands or feet
  • fever
  • confusion
  • changes in mood or behavior
  • extreme sensitivity to light
  • neck stiffness
• Inflammation of the eyes. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms:
  • blurry vision, double vision, or other vision problems
  • eye pain or redness
• Severe infections. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of infection:
  • fever
  • cough
  • frequent urination
  • flu-like symptoms
  • pain when urinating
• Severe infusion reactions. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of infusion reactions:
  • chills or shaking
  • itching or rash
  • flushing
  • shortness of breath or wheezing
  • dizziness
  • fever
  • feeling like passing out
  • back or neck pain
  • facial swelling

Do not take Tecentriq if you are allergic to Tecentriq or to any of its ingredients.

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 Tecentriq, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before you receive Tecentriq, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• are allergic to Tecentriq or to any of ite ingredients 
• have immune system problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus
• have had an organ transplant
• have lung or breathing problems
• have liver problems
• have a condition that affects your nervous system, such as Myasthenia Gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
• are being treated for an infection
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tecentriq can harm your unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, you should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of Tecentriq.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Tecentriq passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of Tecentriq.

Tell your doctor 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.

Based on the way this medication works, Tecentriq can harm your unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, it is recommended you use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of Tecentriq.

Speak with your doctor about the benefits versus risks of taking Tecentriq during pregnancy. 
 

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Tecentriq passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of Tecentriq.
 

Receive Tecentriq exactly as directed.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Tecentriq is administered into a vein once every 3 weeks over an hour. 

Receive this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

The recommended dose of Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is 1200 mg once every 3 weeks.

If Tecentriq 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.