Imfinzi 500mg injection is an anticancer drug belonging to the class of Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies, containing the active ingredient Durvalumab. It 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). Tell your doctor if you have had an organ transplant, liver problems, lung or breathing problems, or autoimmune disease (the body’s immune system attacks its own cells) before taking this injection.

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 which have been reported.

This medicine is not recommended for adolescents and children under the age of 18. During the Imfinzi 500mg injection treatment, your doctor may periodically monitor your white blood cell counts, platelets, blood sugar, electrolytes, and kidney parameters to prevent serious complications. This drug is often used in combination with carboplatin or cisplatin for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer and also used in combination with gemcitabine for the treatment of biliary tract cancer. This medicine has the potential to cause kidney problems. Report to your doctor if you have been diagnosed with kidney disorders, heart failure, high blood cholesterol levels, or hypertension before starting this treatment.

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Biliary Tract Cancer

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, this drug allows T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. It helps the immune system to fight cancer and potentially slow or stop its growth.

Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications may interact with Imfinzi 500mg injection and reduce effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.

• Store Imfinzi 500mg injection in the refrigerator at (2°C to 8°C).
• Do not freeze.
• Keep it out of reach from children.

Imfinzi 500mg injection 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.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.

Serious

• Infection (chills, increased temperature)
• serious lung infections (pneumonia)
• fungal infection in the mouth
• tooth and mouth soft tissue infections
• flu-like illness
• an overactive thyroid gland that can cause a fast heart rate or weight loss
• inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)
• hoarse voice (dysphonia)
• abnormal liver tests (aspartate aminotransferase increased; alanine aminotransferase increased), night sweats
• muscle pain (myalgia)
• abnormal kidney function tests (blood creatinine increased)
• painful urination
• swelling of the legs (oedema peripheral)
• reaction to the infusion of the medicine that can cause fever or flushing

Common

• Cough
• upper respiratory tract infections
• feeling tired
• shortness of breath
• inflammation in the lungs
• rash

Imfinzi 500mg injection has the tendency to cause harm to unborn fetus. 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 this drug. 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 this drug 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 so that he may prescribe you antiemetic medicines also to prevent the symptoms.

1. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on Sep 2022] [ Accessed on 28th March 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/761069s035lbl.pdf
2. AstraZeneca UK Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on Dec 2020] [ Accessed on 28th March 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.9495.pdf
3. Ema (2022) Imfinzi, European Medicines Agency. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/imfinzi-epar-product-information_en.pdf [Accessed on 28th March 2023].