Obinutuzumab is an anticancer drug that belongs to the class of medications called Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. FDA approved it initially in 2013 for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)  in adults.

Obinutuzumab is an intravenously administered drug. It is used in combination with other anticancer medicines to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)  in adults. It works by killing and stopping cancer cells from growing.

Obinutuzumab is a prescription medicine available as an injection. It will be given to you by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic setting trained in cancer chemotherapy. It is given as an intravenous infusion drip (into your vein) for several hours. Do not self-administer the injection. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the treatment based on your disease severity, body weight, and other factors. Your doctor will give you certain medications to lessen the chance of getting side effects from the obinutuzumab treatment.

The common side effects of Obinutuzumab are hair fall, constipation, diarrhea, anemia, decreased WBC and platelets, infection, muscle pain, headache, insomnia, urinary tract infections, cough, fever, tiredness, and decreased appetite. Other side effects are bleeding in the stomach, anemia, hypersensitivity reactions, brain problems, and severe infections.

This drug is intended to reactivate hepatitis B infection. Inform your doctor if you have or had hepatitis B. Obituzumab may cause severe infusion reactions including dizziness, nausea, chills, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems, or chest pain. Notify your physician immediately if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. Report to your doctor if you face any symptoms of memory loss, trouble speaking, difficulty walking, or problems with your eyesight during the treatment with obinutuzumab because these may indicate rare and life-threatening side effects.

Inform your physician if you have an active infection, or suffered from any infections, weak immune system, have or had heart problems, brain disorders, eye disorders, breathing problems, and liver diseases. Onibutuzumab should not be used in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Inform your physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Use effective contraception throughout the therapy to avoid pregnancy. Do not take this injection if you are allergic to Onibutuzumab or any other ingredients of this medicine.

Your healthcare professional may advise you to take certain blood tests to monitor the effectiveness and side effects of the therapy. Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vaccinations, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications may interact with obinutuzumab and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.

Store obinutuzumab in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep the injection away from the reach of children and pets. If you have missed any dosing appointments, inform your doctor and schedule immediately. Obinutuzumab may interfere with vaccines, inform your physician before taking any flu shot or any other vaccines. This injection may cause severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Female patients with reproductive potential should use effective contraception during the treatment. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 6 months after your last dose. This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often. Your doctor may advise you to take certain tests to check for the effectiveness of the therapy.

1. Gazyvaro 1,000 mg concentrate for solution for infusion - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc). www.medicines.org.uk. [Revised 2022] [cited 2023 Apr 25]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3279/pil
2. GAZYVA-obinutuzumab injection. [revised on 2017] [cited 2023 Apr 25]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/125486s017s018lbl.pdf
3. Jenny O’Nions, William Townsend et al; The role of obinutuzumab in the management of follicular lymphoma; Future Oncology; Published on Nov 2019; Accessed on 25/04/2023; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31538821/

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.