ually given in cycles, one time each week for 6 weeks, with no treatment on the 7th week. Treatment with Folotyn may be continued as long as it is helpful to you.
To lower your chances of harmful side effects, it is important that you take folic acid and vitamin B12 during your treatment with Folotyn. Your doctor will give you specific instructions for vitamin supplementation.
•You will take folic acid by mouth for 10 days before your first dose of Folotyn. Do not take more or less folic acid than your doctor tells you to take. Continue taking folic acid every day until your doctor tells you to stop.
•Your doctor will give you a vitamin B12 injection into your muscle (intramuscular) before your first dose of Folotyn and about every 8 to 10 weeks during treatment with Folotyn.
You should have regular blood tests before and during your treatment with Folotyn. Your doctor may change your dose of Folotyn or delay treatment based on the results of your blood tests and on your general condition.
What are the possible side effects of Folotyn?
Folotyn may cause serious side effects, including:
•Low Blood Cell Counts: Folotyn can affect your bone marrow and cause you to have low blood cell counts. Your doctor will do blood tests as needed to check your blood cell counts.
•Low Platelet Count (thrombocytopenia): Tell your doctor right away if you have any unusual bleeding, such as nosebleeds, or bruising under your skin.
•Low White Blood Cell Count (neutropenia): A low white blood cell count can cause you to get infections, which may be serious. Serious illness or death can happen if an infection is not treated right away when white blood cell counts are very low. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of an infection:
◦fever
◦chills
◦cough
◦shortness of breath
◦pain or burning on urination
•Low Red Blood Cell Count (anemia): Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms of anemia during treatment with Folotyn:
◦feeling weak, tired, or you get tired easily
◦you look pale
◦you feel short of breath
•Redness and sores of the mucous membrane lining of the mouth, lips, throat, digestive tract, and genitals (mucositis). Discomfort or pain due to mucositis may happen as early as a few days after treatment with Folotyn. Your doctor should tell you about ways to reduce your risk of getting mucositis, and how to maintain nutrition and control the discomfort from mucositis.
•Severe skin reactions. Severe skin reactions may happen after treatment with Folotyn, especially if you have lymphoma in or under your skin. If your skin reactions are severe, they may lead to serious illness or death. Tell your doctor right away if you have of any of the following skin reactions:
◦rash
◦peeling and loss of skin
◦sores
◦blisters
•Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS). Folotyn can cause the fast breakdown of certain types of cancer cells. This can lead to TLS. Your doctor may do blood tests to check you for TLS and treat you for TLS if needed.
•Harm to an unborn baby. Females should avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with Folotyn. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid pregnancy while taking Folotyn.
•Fever. Fever is often one of the most common and earliest signs of infection. Follow your doctor's instructions about how often to take your temperature, especially during the days after treatment with Folotyn. If you have a fever, |
