atezolizumab
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Tecentriq. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Tecentriq against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Tecentriq is used for
Tecentriq contains the active ingredient atezolizumab.
Tecentriq works by attaching to a specific protein in your body called 'PD-L1'. This protein makes the immune system in the body work less well. By attaching to the protein, Tecentriq helps your immune system to fight your cancer.
Tecentriq is used to treat a type of cancer that affects the lungs, called non-small cell lung cancer. It is used when the cancer is advanced, or spread to other parts of the body, and has come back after previous treatment.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions why Tecentriq has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you are given Tecentriq
If you are not sure if you should start receiving Tecentriq, talk to your doctor.
When you must not take it
Do not take Tecentriq if you have an allergy to:
atezolizumab or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor:
if you have immune system problems such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus
if you have inflammation of the lungs (called 'pneumonitis')
if you have liver problems, such as hepatitis
if you have thyroid problems
if are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Tecentriq can harm your unborn baby
If you are a woman who is able to become pregnant, you should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment with Tecentriq and for at least 5 months after your last dose of Tecentriq. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time.
Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment with Tecentriq.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
It is not known if Tecentriq passes into your breastmilk.
Do not breastfeed during treatment with Tecentriq.
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking Tecentriq.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while receiving Tecentriq.
How Tecentriq is given
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or nurse carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
Tecentriq must be prepared by a healthcare professional and will be given in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or nurse.
Tecentriq is given by a drip into a vein (called an "intravenous infusion" or "IV").
The recommended dose is 1200 milligrams (mg) every three weeks.
Your first infusion will be given over 60 minutes.
Your doctor will monitor you carefully during the first infusion. If you do not have an infusion reaction during the first infusion, the next infusions will be given to you over a period of 30 minutes.
The number of infusions you will be given depends on how you respond to treatment.
Your doctor will keep giving you Tecentriq until you no longer benefit from it. However, it may be stopped if the side effects become too much of a problem.
If you miss a dose
As Tecentriq is given under the supervision of your doctor, you are unlikely to miss a dose. However, if you forget or miss your appointment to receive Tecentriq, make another appointment as soon as possible.
If you take too much (overdose)
As Tecentriq is given under the supervision of your doctor, it is unlikely that you will be given too much. However, if you experience any side effects after being given Tecentriq, tell your doctor immediately.
While you are using Tecentriq
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Tecentriq.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor may do some tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.
Do not have Tecentriq if you are pregnant unless your doctor has told you to.
This is because the effect of Tecentriq in pregnant women is not known - it is possible that it could harm your unborn baby.
If you are a woman who is able to become pregnant, you must use effective contraception while you are being treated with Tecentriq and for at least 5 months after the last dose.
If you become pregnant while you are being treated with Tecentriq tell your doctor.
Ask your doctor if you should stop breastfeeding or if you should stop treatment with Tecentriq.
It is not known whether Tecentriq gets into breast milk. A risk to the breastfed infant cannot be excluded.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Tecentriq affects you.
It is not known whether Tecentriq may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Tecentriq.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of the side effects below or if they get worse. They may happen weeks or months after your last dose. Do not try to treat yourself with other medicines.
joint pain
loss of appetite
diarrhoea
shortness of breath
feeling tired with no energy (fatigue)
itching of the skin
nausea
fever
rash
vomiting
difficulty swallowing
flu-like symptoms
nasal congestion
stomach pain
pain in the muscles and bones.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately:
inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis): symptoms may include new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain
inflammation of the liver (hepatitis): symptoms may include yellowing of skin or eyes, nausea, vomiting, bleeding or bruising, dark urine, and stomach pain
inflammation of the intestines (colitis): symptoms may include diarrhoea (watery, loose or soft stools), blood in stools, and stomach pain
inflammation of the thyroid, pituitary or adrenal glands (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypophysitis or adrenal insufficiency): symptoms may include tiredness, weight loss, weight gain, changes in mood or behaviour, visual disturbances, increased sensitivity to cold or heat, slow or rapid heart rate, hair loss, constipation, headache, and dizziness
type 1 diabetes mellitus, including acid in the blood produced from diabetes (diabetic ketoacidosis): symptoms may include feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual, need to urinate more often, weight loss, and feeling tired
inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or inflammation of the membrane around the spinal cord and brain (meningitis): symptoms may include neck stiffness, headache, fever, chills, vomiting, eye sensitivity to light, confusion and sleepiness
inflammation or problems of the nerves (neuropathy): symptoms may include muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in hands and feet
inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis): symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) characterised by shortness of breath, feeling tired, irregular heart beat or chest pain
severe reactions associated with infusion (events occurring during or within one day of having the infusion) may include fever, chills, shortness of breath and flushing.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
Some side effects can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress. (for example, elevated liver enzymes, low potassium or sodium levels, low platelet count, low blood pressure).
Product description
Storage
Tecentriq will be stored in the pharmacy or on the hospital ward in a refrigerator at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C.
Availability
Tecentriq is supplied as a single-dose glass vial containing 1200 mg of active ingredient in 20 mL solution. It is diluted before infusion into a vein.
What Tecentriq looks like
Tecentriq is a colourless to slightly yellow solution.
Ingredients
Each vial of Tecentriq contains 1200 mg of the active ingredient atezolizumab.
It also contains:
glacial acetic acid
histidine
sucrose
polysorbate 20
water for injections.
This medicine does not contain lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
