Uses of undefined

Durvalumab is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer(has not spread outside your chest ), small cell lung cancer(has spread within your lungs), and biliary tract cancers(cancer of the bile ducts).

undefined Drug administaration and Dosage available

Durvalumab is a prescription drug available in injection form. This injection will be given intravenously into a vein in your arm or hand by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. Do not self-administer this medicine. The dose of the injection will be decided by your doctor based on your disease condition and other factors. During the infusion, you will be monitored for any side effects or reactions to the medication. The infusion usually takes a few hours to complete, and you may need to receive multiple infusions over the course of several weeks.

Warnings, Precautions and Side Effects of undefined

Warnings

Durvalumab is not recommended for pregnant women, because it may harm the developing fetus. If you have a medical history of blood clots, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease this injection should be used with caution by your healthcare professionals. In case you're allergic to this injection, report with your doctor immediately.  Those who have received an organ transplant or have a history of stem cell transplant should use this drug with caution as it may increase the risk of graft rejection.

Precautions

It is not known whether Durvalumab can be administered to patients with liver problems. Consult your doctor if you have any liver diseases before starting the treatment. It is unsafe to drive vehicles or operate heavy machinery after taking this injection because it may cause dizziness and impair your concentration.

Side Effects

The common side effects that are likely to occur with this injection are cough, upper respiratory tract infections, feeling tired, shortness of breath, inflammation in the lungs, and rash. This medicine may increase the risk of developing immune-mediated adverse reactions like pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, and nephritis have also been reported.

Word Of Advice

Durvalumab injections have the tendency to cause harm to the unborn foetus. Inform your healthcare provider before starting this treatment if you are pregnant, or have a partner who can become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will conduct a pregnancy test before you start treatment with durvalumab. Discuss effective birth control methods with your healthcare provider and use them during treatment and for 8 weeks after your last dose. It is not known if Durvalumab passes into breast milk. Hence, it is not recommended to breastfeed during this treatment. This drug can increase your risk of sunburn and skin damage, so it is important to wear protective clothing and sunscreen while moving outdoors.  If you experience any gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, or nausea, be sure to inform your doctor immediately.

Frequently Asked Question

• How will I receive Durvalumab injection?
• Durvalumab injection is administered intravenously into a vein in your arm or hand by a healthcare professional.

• How does Durvalumab injection work?
• It works by blocking a protein called programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells. When PD-L1 binds to its receptor on T cells, it can inhibit the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.  By blocking the interaction between PD-L1 and its receptor, durvalumab allows T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Durvalumab helps the immune system to fight the cancer and potentially slow or stop its growth.

• Can Durvalumab be used in combination with other drugs?
• Yes, Durvalumab is often used in combination with other immunotherapy drugs, such as tremelimumab, to boost the immune response against cancer cells.

• Whether Durvalumab injection is safe to use during pregnancy?
• Durvalumab injection is not recommended during pregnancy and it is unsafe because it may harm a developing fetus. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should discuss their treatment options with their doctor immediately.

• Who should not take a Durvalumab?
• This drug is not recommended in patients with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis, who may be at an increased risk of side effects from Durvalumab, and it should be used with caution in these patients.