What to Expect Before, During, and After Treatment
If this is the first time you’re receiving a DARZALEX FASPRO® injection or DARZALEX® infusion, you may have some questions about what it’s like and what you need to do. Here, you will find some answers.
It is important to pay attention to how you feel and let the healthcare staff know about any discomfort during or after treatment, especially during the first and second treatments. It could mean you may be having a reaction to the treatment.
Preparation
Dress for comfort
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting, and layered clothing. You’ll want to be comfortable and able to adjust your clothing depending on the temperature in the room.
Set aside enough time
Planning for your DARZALEX FASPRO® injection: For the first few injections of DARZALEX FASPRO®, your healthcare provider may want you to stay afterward to monitor for any reactions to the injection.
Planning for your DARZALEX® infusion: On average, the first infusion of DARZALEX® may take about 7 hours. Future infusions will take less time and last 3 to 5 hours. So make sure you set aside enough time in your day.
Be prepared for your treatment
Make sure you drink plenty of fluids the day before your injection or infusion and eat a healthy breakfast that morning, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Before treatment
Your healthcare provider will give you medicines before each dose of DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX® to help reduce the risk of serious allergic reactions and other side effects due to the release of certain substances by your body (systemic).
You will be given medicines to help reduce the risk of side effects, such as:
- Antihistamines to prevent an allergic reaction
- Corticosteroids to prevent inflammation
- Acetaminophen or similar medicine to reduce fever
You will be given a quick physical exam before your treatment, which may include checking your pulse, weight, and blood pressure.
Do not receive DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX® if you have a history of a severe allergic reaction to daratumumab, hyaluronidase (DARZALEX FASPRO®), or any of the ingredients in either treatment.
Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to match your blood type before you start treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX®.
DARZALEX FASPRO® and DARZALEX® can affect the results of blood tests to match your blood type. These changes can last for up to 6 months after your final dose of DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX®. Tell all of your healthcare providers and blood transfusion center personnel that you are being treated with DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX® before receiving blood transfusions.
Before you receive DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX®, tell your doctor or care team about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have a history of breathing problems
- have had shingles (herpes zoster)
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have ever had or might now have a hepatitis B infection
– DARZALEX FASPRO® and DARZALEX® could cause hepatitis B virus to become active again. Your healthcare provider will check you for signs of this infection before, during, and for some time after treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get worsening tiredness or yellowing of your skin or white part of your eyes
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are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or have a female partner who may become pregnant
– DARZALEX FASPRO® and DARZALEX® may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think that you may be pregnant during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX®. See Important Safety Information for additional considerations around pregnancy for DARZALEX FASPRO® and DARZALEX®
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are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
– It is not known if DARZALEX FASPRO® and DARZALEX® pass into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX®. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX®
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have hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI)
– DARZALEX® (infusion) contains sorbitol. Sorbitol is a source of fructose. People with HFI cannot break down fructose, which may cause serious side effects
During Treatment
Your healthcare provider will prepare the syringe.
Your healthcare provider will determine where to inject and prepare the chosen area, rotating injection sites in the stomach each time you receive an injection.
The injection takes about 3 to 5 minutes to be given.* The medicine is injected into the subcutaneous tissue (the tissue under the skin) of the stomach.
*This refers to the injection administration time and does not account for all aspects of treatment.
Pay attention to how you feel and let the healthcare staff know about any discomfort during or after treatment, and especially during the first and second injections. It could mean you may be having a reaction to the treatment.
Your healthcare provider may want you to remain in the office to watch for any side effects, serious allergic reactions, and other severe injection-related reactions. Serious allergic reactions and reactions due to release of certain substances by your body (systemic) that can lead to death can happen with DARZALEX FASPRO®. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO® if you have a serious reaction. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms during or after an injection of DARZALEX FASPRO®.
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness (hypotension)
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Heart beating faster than usual
- Low oxygen in the blood (hypoxia)
- Throat tightness or irritation
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Itching
- High blood pressure
- Eye pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Blurred vision
Injection site reactions
Skin reactions at or near the injection site (local), including injection site reactions, can happen with DARZALEX FASPRO®. Symptoms may include:
- Itching
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
- Rash
- Bleeding
- Redness of the skin
These reactions sometimes happen more than 24 hours after an injection of DARZALEX FASPRO®.
The frequency and length of DARZALEX® treatment will decrease over time. On average, the first DARZALEX® infusion may take about 7 hours, but your doctor may choose to split your first dose into 2 shorter infusions over 2 consecutive days. Future infusions will usually last 3 to 5 hours. Bring a few things with you:
- To pass the time: Headphones, a music player, a tablet, crossword puzzles, or a book
- To help you relax: Blanket and pillow to help you get comfortable in case you want to take a nap
- To eat and drink: Snacks and drinks for the day. Check with the facility to see if bringing food is okay
Pay attention to how you feel. Let the healthcare staff know about any discomfort, even if it’s just a cough, runny nose, or throat discomfort, during or after treatment and especially during your first infusion. You could be having a reaction to treatment with DARZALEX®.
DARZALEX® may cause serious reactions, including infusion-related reactions. Infusion-related reactions are common with DARZALEX®. Serious allergic reactions and reactions due to release of certain substances by your body (systemic) that can lead to death can happen with DARZALEX®. Get medical help right away if you get any of the following infusion-related reactions.
Infusion-related reaction symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness (hypotension)
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Heart beating faster than usual
- Low oxygen in the blood (hypoxia)
- Throat tightness or irritation
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Itching
- High blood pressure
- Eye pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Fever
- Chest discomfort
- Blurred vision
It is important to tell your doctor or nurse about a reaction as soon as possible so they can put an appropriate plan in place.
Infusion-related reactions are common with DARZALEX® and can be severe. About half the people treated with DARZALEX® experience an infusion-related reaction. This is most likely to happen during the first infusion and less likely with future infusions.
If you do have an infusion-related reaction, your healthcare professional may temporarily stop your infusion or completely stop treatment with DARZALEX®.
After treatment
Go home and rest. It’s not unusual to be tired after treatment. So it might be a good idea to have a friend drop you off and pick you up—or stay and keep you company. If you have any symptoms of an injection- or infusion-related reaction, get medical help right away.
You will be given medicines, like an oral corticosteroid, to take once you go home to help reduce the risk of delayed reactions. If you have a history of breathing problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may be given additional medicines, such as bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroids.
A Janssen Compass® Care Navigator can help you find the resources you need to start and stay on track and identify independent organizations that may provide assistance with costs associated with travel to and from treatment.