Rybrevant (amivantamab-vmjw) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat a certain type of lung cancer. Rybrevant can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include rash, nausea, and swelling.
Specifically, Rybrevant is used in adults to treat a specific type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The cancer must be locally advanced or metastatic and have certain gene changes. (Locally advanced means it has spread near the original location but not to other parts of the body. Metastatic means it has spread from the original location to other parts of the body.) Rybrevant is used:
- as a first treatment, along with carboplatin and pemetrexed
- after another previous treatment, by itself
Rybrevant is a
The active ingredient in Rybrevant is amivantamab-vmjw. The drug comes as a solution for intravenous (IV) infusion. A healthcare professional gives the infusion into a vein.
Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Rybrevant can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Rybrevant treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:
- rash
- infusion-related reaction (Learn more about this side effect in the “Side effects explained” section below.)
- nausea
- fatigue
- vomiting
The following sections include more side effects of Rybrevant. Each person’s experience with side effects may differ.
Mild side effects have been reported with Rybrevant. These include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- low appetite
- swelling in the hands, ankles, feet, face, or all of the body
- fatigue (low energy)
- rash
- mouth sores and inflammation
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be managed easily. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Rybrevant unless your doctor recommends it.
Rybrevant may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information (package insert) for details.
Serious side effects have been reported with Rybrevant. These include:
- infusion-related reaction
- interstitial lung disease (scarring of the lungs) and pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs)
- severe skin reaction, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
- vision and eye problems, such as blurred vision and eye inflammation
You can learn more about the following side effects in the “Side effects explained” section below:
- infusion-related reaction
- severe skin reaction
If you develop serious side effects during Rybrevant treatment, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911. Or call your local emergency number.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Rybrevant, visit MedWatch.
Allergic reactionFor some people, Rybrevant can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Rybrevant treatment.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 right away. Or call your local emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Rybrevant. If so, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Learn more about some of the side effects Rybrevant may cause.
Infusion-related reaction
Infusion-related reaction was a serious side effect reported in studies of Rybrevant. This side effect may cause symptoms such as:
- fever
- chills
- shortness of breath
- chest discomfort
- flushing
- nausea and vomiting
- low blood pressure
What might help
To help prevent infusion-related reaction, your doctor likely will give you medications right before your Rybrevant treatment. These medications can include:
- antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- fever-reducing medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin)
- anti-inflammatory medication, such as prednisone (Rayos)
During your infusion, your doctor will monitor you closely for the symptoms noted above. If you develop any infusion-related reactions after receiving Rybrevant, talk with your doctor right away. If the side effects feel life threatening, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Severe skin reaction
Severe skin reaction, including TEN, was a serious side effect reported in studies of Rybrevant. Severe skin reactions may cause symptoms such as:
- skin peeling or blistering
- painful and discolored skin patches
- fever
- body aches
What might help
To help prevent any skin reaction, the drugmaker recommends limiting your sun exposure during treatment. It also recommends limiting sun exposure for 2 months after your last Rybrevant dose. To lower sun exposure, wear protective clothing that covers most of your skin.
You should also use sunscreen regularly. If you have dry skin, consider using a moisturizer that contains no alcohol.
Talk with your doctor immediately if you develop any skin reaction. If the side effects feel life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Keeping track of side effectsDuring your Rybrevant treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include things such as:
- what dose of the drug you were receiving when you had the side effect
- how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
- what your symptoms were
- how your symptoms affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were taking
- any other information you feel is important
Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Rybrevant affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Below is important information you should consider before starting Rybrevant.
Warnings
Rybrevant can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Rybrevant is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you start Rybrevant treatment. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- lung condition, such as interstitial lung disease
- skin condition, such as dermatitis (skin inflammation)
- eye problems, such as blurred vision or uveitis (eye swelling)
- past allergic reaction to Rybrevant
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- alcohol consumption
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.