Understanding Padcev: What You Need to Know About the Prescribing Information
Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) is a drug that has been approved by the FDA to treat adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who have received prior treatment with chemotherapy and PD-1/L1 inhibitors. As a healthcare professional, it’s important that you have a clear understanding of the prescribing information for Padcev and how it can be used in clinical practice.
What is Padcev?
Padcev is a targeted therapy that works by binding to Nectin-4, a protein that is often overexpressed in urothelial cancer cells. The drug is designed to deliver a chemotherapy agent directly to the cancer cells, which can help to reduce the side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy drugs.
How is Padcev Administered?
Padcev is administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes. The recommended dose is 1.25 mg/kg given every three weeks. The exact dosing regimen may be adjusted based on a patient’s individual response to treatment and any side effects they may experience.
What are the Side Effects?
As with any medication, Padcev can cause side effects. The most common side effects reported in clinical trials included fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, decreased appetite, rash, alopecia, nausea, dysgeusia, diarrhea, pruritus, dry skin, and stomatitis. These side effects were generally mild to moderate in severity and could usually be managed with supportive care measures.
What are the Risks?
There are some risks associated with the use of Padcev that healthcare professionals should be aware of. The drug has the potential to cause severe peripheral neuropathy, which can lead to difficulty walking or performing manual tasks. Other potential risks include infusion-related reactions, myelosuppression, hepatotoxicity, hyperglycemia, and embryofetal toxicity.
What Should You Tell Your Patients?
If you are prescribing Padcev to your patients, it’s important to provide them with clear instructions on how to properly receive and manage the drug. You should also let them know about the potential side effects and risks associated with the medication, as well as any necessary precautions they should take before and after receiving the infusion.
Conclusion
Padcev is an important new treatment option for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who have already received prior treatment. As a healthcare professional, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the prescribing information for Padcev and to keep your patients informed about the benefits and potential risks of this medication. By working together, we can help to improve the lives of those living with this difficult disease.
