What to expect
before 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 your care team 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.
At-home preparation
Dress comfortably
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.
Plan for your treatment time
Planning for your DARZALEX FASPRO® injection:
Think of your appointment time as your time. It presents you with an opportunity to check in with your care team. While you’re with them, you can ask any treatment-related questions that have been on your mind. Most importantly, you can be assured that your full dose of DARZALEX FASPRO® is being given properly. 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.
An injection reaction is a response of the skin and tissue under the skin to any substance introduced with a needle.
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. Because of this, please make sure to set aside enough time in your day.
At a single appointment, a person will receive either the DARZALEX FASPRO® injection or the DARZALEX® infusion.
Stay hydrated
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.
See a list of potential side effects.
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 any 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)
- have ever had or might now have a hepatitis B infection as DARZALEX FASPRO® or 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.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. DARZALEX FASPRO® or 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®.
- Females who are able to become pregnant should use an effective method of birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose of DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX®. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time.
- Before starting DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX® in combination with lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide, females and males must agree to the instructions in the lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide REMS program.
- The lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide REMS have more information about effective methods of birth control, pregnancy testing, and blood donation for females who can become pregnant.
- For males who have female partners who can become pregnant, there is information in the lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide REMS about sperm donation and how lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide can pass into human semen.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX® passes 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®.
- have hereditary fructose intolerance
- DARZALEX® (infusion) contains sorbitol. Sorbitol is a source of fructose. People with hereditary fructose intolerance cannot break down fructose, which may cause serious side effects