Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I receiving Xgeva?
Xgeva is used to prevent serious bone complications in adults with multiple myeloma
or in adults with bone metastasis caused by solid tumour cancer; to treat giant cell
tumour of bone which cannot be treated by surgery, where surgery is not the best option,
or which has returned after treatment in adults or adolescents whose bones have stopped
growing; or to reduce high levels of calcium in the blood in cancer patients if bisphosphonates
do not work.
2. What should I know before I am given Xgeva?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to denosumab or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you have calcium deficiency.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Xgeva and affect how it works.
4. How will I be given Xgeva?
The recommended dose of Xgeva is 120 mg administered once every 4 weeks, as a single
injection under the skin (subcutaneous).
5. What should I know while using Xgeva?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist you visit that you are using Xgeva.
Take calcium and vitamin D supplements if your doctor has told you to.
Maintain good oral hygiene when being treated with Xgeva.
Attend all of your treatment and doctor's appointments so that your progress can be
checked.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Xgeva or within 5
months of your last dose.
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop using this medicine without checking with your doctor.
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Looking after your medicine
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Store Xgeva in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.
Keep Xgeva in the original pack to protect your medicine from light.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Side effects that require urgent medical attention include: signs of an allergic reaction;
muscle spasms, twitches or cramps, numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes or around
your mouth; persistent pain or swelling and/or non-healing sores in your mouth or
jaw; pain in your hip, groin, or thigh, which is sometimes severe; swollen, red area
of skin that feels hot and tender (cellulitis) and sometimes experienced with fever
and chills.
Active ingredient(s):
Denosumab (den"-os"-u"-mab)
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Xgeva. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Xgeva.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I receiving Xgeva?
Xgeva contains the active ingredient denosumab. Denosumab is a protein (monoclonal antibody) that attaches (binds) specifically to
another unique protein in the body in order to slow down bone destruction caused by
cancer spreading to the bone (bone metastasis or bone lesions) or by giant cell tumour
of bone. Xgeva reduces the amount of calcium in blood by reducing the breakdown of
bones. In patients with hypercalcaemia of malignancy, the breakdown of bones can cause
too much calcium in the blood.
Xgeva is used:
to prevent serious complications in adults with multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma
is a cancer of plasma cells (a type of white blood cell).
to prevent serious bone complications caused by bone metastasis or bone lesions, such
as fracture, pressure on the spinal cord or the need to receive radiation therapy
or surgery.
to treat giant cell tumour of bone which cannot be treated by surgery, where surgery
is not the best option, or which has returned after treatment, in adults or adolescents
whose bones have stopped growing.
to reduce high levels of calcium in the blood in cancer patients (hypercalcaemia of
malignancy) after other drugs called bisphosphonates did not work.
Xgeva contains the same medicines as Prolia®, which is used to treat osteoporosis in women after menopause. Xgeva, which is given
at a higher dose once every 4 weeks, should not be used to treat osteoporosis.
Your doctor, however, may prescribe Xgeva for another purpose.
2. What should I know before I am given Xgeva?
Warnings
Do not use Xgeva if:
you are allergic to denosumab, any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet,
or any medicines that are produced using Chinese Hamster Ovary cells.
you have a very low level of calcium in your blood which has not been treated.
you are a child or adolescent under 18 years of age except for adolescents with giant
cell tumour of the bone whose bones have stopped growing.
you have wounds or sores in your mouth from dental or oral (mouth) surgery that has
not yet healed.
you are pregnant. There is no information on use of this medicine during pregnancy.
the packaging is torn or shows signs or tampering.
the Xgeva solution is cloudy or discoloured.
Check with your doctor if you:
are taking medicines to treat osteoporosis such as Prolia or bisphosphonates.
have allergies to any other medicines, or any other substances such as foods, preservatives
or dyes.
you have been told by a doctor or healthcare professional that you have an intolerance
to some sugars, since Xgeva contains sorbitol (E420).
have calcium deficiency. Your doctor may do a blood test to check your calcium levels
before you use Xgeva.
are unable to take daily calcium or vitamin D supplements.
have or have had severe kidney problems, kidney failure or have needed dialysis, which
may increase your chance of getting low blood calcium, especially if you do not take
calcium supplements.
have been told by a doctor or healthcare professional that you are a patient who is
still growing. Some patients with giant cell tumour of the bone and some patients
who are still growing during treatment with XGEVA have developed high calcium levels
in the blood weeks to months after stopping treatment. Your doctor will monitor you
for signs and symptoms of high levels of calcium after you stop XGEVA treatment.
had or have pain in the teeth, gums or jaw, swelling or numbness of the jaw, a "heavy
jaw feeling" or loosening of a tooth. Severe jaw bone problems may happen when you
take Xgeva. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or taking steroids, who do not receive
routine dental care or have gum disease, may have a higher risk of developing jaw
problems. Your doctor may recommend a dental examination before you start treatment
with Xgeva.
take any medicines for any other condition.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy
Do not use Xgeva if you are pregnant. There is no information on use of this medicine
during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment with Xgeva
or within 5 months of your last dose.
Breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed while you are
undergoing treatment with Xgeva. It is not known if the active ingredient in Xgeva
passes into breast milk.
Use in Children
Do not use Xgeva in children or adolescents under 18 years of age except for adolescents
with giant cell tumour of the bone whose bones have stopped growing. The use of Xgeva
has not been studied in children and adolescents with other cancers that have spread
to bone.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including
any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your
pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Xgeva should not be taken together with medicines containing bisphosphonates.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Xgeva.
4. How will I be given Xgeva?
How is Xgeva given
Xgeva is given as an injection under the skin into your thigh, abdomen or upper arm.
This is called a subcutaneous injection.
How much will I be given
For each dose, you will be given 120 mg as a single injection.
When will you be given Xgeva
Xgeva is injected once every 4 weeks.
If you are being treated for giant cell tumour of bone or high blood levels of calcium
caused by cancer (hypercalcaemia of malignancy), you will receive an additional dose
1 week and 2 weeks after the first dose.
Continue using Xgeva for as long as your doctor tells you.
You should also take calcium and vitamin D supplements while receiving Xgeva. Your
doctor, nurse or pharmacist will discuss this with you.
If you miss a dose of Xgeva
If you miss a dose, Xgeva should be administered as soon as possible. From then on,
Xgeva should be scheduled every 4 weeks from the date of the last injection.
If you are given too much Xgeva
If you think you or anyone else has received too much Xgeva
you should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
5. What should I know during treatment with Xgeva?
Things you should do
Tell your dentist or doctor that you are being treated with Xgeva if you are undergoing
dental treatment or will undergo dental surgery.
Remind any doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist you visit that you are using Xgeva.
You should take calcium and vitamin D supplements while being treated with XGEVA unless
your blood calcium is high. Your doctor will discuss this with you. If the level
of calcium in your blood is low, your doctor may decide to give you calcium supplements
before you start treatment with XGEVA.
Maintain good oral hygiene when being treated with Xgeva.
Your routine dental hygiene should include brushing your teeth and tongue after every
meal, including the evening and gentle flossing once a day to remove plaque.
Use a mirror and check your teeth and gums regularly for any changes such as sores
or bleeding gums. If you notice any problems, tell your doctor and dentist immediately.
Attend all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked. Your
doctor may recommend you have some blood or urine tests, X-rays or bone scans from
time to time to ensure the medicine is working.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
have spasms, twitches, or cramps in your muscles, and/or numbness or tingling in your
fingers, toes or around your mouth. You may have low levels of calcium in your blood.
have any dental symptoms including pain and/or non-healing sores, or unusual feeling
in your teeth or gums, or any dental infections. Some people have experienced severe
jaw bone problems while being treated with Xgeva.
develop a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender (cellulitis) and sometimes
experienced with fever and chills.
experience new or unusual pain in your hip, groin, or thigh. Some people have developed
unusual fractures in their thigh bone while being treated with Xgeva.
become pregnant while taking Xgeva.
Things you should not do
Do not stop using this medicine without checking with your doctor.
After your treatment with Xgeva is stopped, there may be an increased risk of broken
bones in your spine, especially if you have a history of broken bones or have had
osteoporosis (a condition in which bones become thin and fragile).
Some patients with giant cell tumor of the bone and some who are still growing during
treatment with Xgeva, have developed high calcium levels in the blood weeks to months
after stopping treatment. Your doctor will monitor you for signs and symptoms of
high levels of calcium, after you stop receiving Xgeva.
Do not use Xgeva to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Xgeva
affects you.
Xgeva has no known effects on the ability to drive or use machines, but as a general
precaution, avoid driving soon after you have an injection. Arrange to have someone
else drive.
Looking after your medicine
If you need to store your Xgeva before use, follow the instructions in the carton
on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store Xgeva in the refrigerator (between 2 and 8°C). Do not freeze.
Keep your medicine in the original carton to protect from light.
Your medicine may be left outside the refrigerator to reach room temperature (up to
25°C) before injection. This will make the injection more comfortable.
Once your medicine has been left to reach room temperature (up to 25°C), it must be
used within 30 days.
Do not shake or vigorously agitate the vial.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
When to discard your medicine
Xgeva is for single use in one patient only. Dispose any unused or expired medicine
as instructed below.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
Your doctor or nurse is likely to dispose of Xgeva for you. However, if you need to
get rid of this medicine because you no longer need to use it, or it is out of date,
take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What Xgeva contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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denosumab
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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glacial acetic acid
polysorbate 20
sodium hydroxide
sorbitol
water for injections
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Xgeva looks like
Xgeva is a clear, colourless to slightly yellow solution for injection supplied in
a vial. It may contain trace amounts of clear to white particles.
Xgeva comes in a pack of one single-use vial containing 120 mg of denosumab (70 mg/1.0
mL). Aust R 175041.
Who distributes Xgeva
Amgen Australia Pty Ltd
Level 11, 10 Carrington St
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: 1800 803 638
www.amgenmedinfo.com.au
This leaflet was prepared in September 2022.