For patients battling with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, the treatment has shifted dramatically in recent years. Although the FDA approved this medication in 2012, it has become a core therapy for treating this serious plasma cell cancer and offers hope when other treatments fail.
What is Carfilzomib?
The medication is a second-generation proteasome inhibitor. However, myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, which produce abnormal antibodies and grow in an uncontrolled manner in the bone marrow.
Therefore, these cancer cells produce a high volume of waste proteins and rely on "garbage disposal" units called proteasomes to break them down.
The medication works by irreversibly blocking the activity of these proteasomes.
Thus, without a working disposal system, toxic proteins build up inside the cancer cell, causing it to undergo stress, stop growing, and eventually die.
Why does the medication matter?
This medication comes under the category of second-generation proteasome inhibitors; that's why it is more potent and effective even in patients who have become resistant to bortezomib, since bortezomib is a first-generation proteasome inhibitor, which is usually reversible.
Who is it for?
This medication treats multiple myeloma in patients who have already undergone one or more previous treatments. Although it is particularly valuable for:
Relapsed Myeloma: Cancer that has returned after treatment.
Refractory Myeloma: Cancer that did not respond to previous therapy.
Therefore, doctors often combine it with other drugs to treat specific conditions effectively. However, only a certified healthcare professional can decide whether a patient needs combination therapy.
What are the advantages of the medication?
The medication shows high efficacy in patients with relapse cases of cancer, as studies have shown that this medication produces rapid and durable responses in patients, even those with high-risk disease.
The medication is also useful in peripheral neuropathy, as it is one of the major side effects of earlier treatments (like bortezomib). However, the other symptoms that may occur in this condition are numbness/tingling in hands and feet. Since taking the medication makes the patient able to manage this condition well.
The medication shows effective renal safety, as it can be safely administered to patients who are having existing renal (kidney) impairment.
It offers a once-a-week schedule; consequently, the twice-weekly dosing schedule makes the treatment more effective and convenient for many patients.
What are the possible side effects to know?
Well, each medicine causing side effects is not necessary. While some patients may experience side effects of medication, some may not experience them. Thus, carfilnat 60 mg injection side effects are given below in the following section:
Fever
Cough
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Headache
Breathlessness
Skin inflammation
Nausea & vomiting
Back and muscle pain
Low levels of RBCs & platelets in the blood
Therefore, make sure to let your healthcare professional know about any previous medical history before starting this medication to avoid any severe complications that may occur while taking carfilzomib. However, regular monitoring is also an important part of the treatment journey.
Conclusion
In conclusion, experts recognize this medication as a highly effective treatment for relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Moreover, many individuals explore online pharmacy websites such as Magicine Pharma, which provides Carfilnat 60 mg injection online in India at an affordable price. Additionally, people can also purchase other life-saving medication from their website.
FAQs
Q-What are the most common side effects?
A-More than 30% of patients report the most common side effects, including fatigue, anaemia (low red blood cells), nausea, thrombocytopenia (low platelets), shortness of breath, diarrhoea, and fever.
Q-How is the medication given?
A-The medication is administered to patients as an IV infusion into a vein in a clinic or hospital setting.
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