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Overview: Decnupaz is used to treat a rare type of blood cancer called blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). It is given as an infusion into a vein. Common side effects include fluid retention, tiredness, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and infusion reactions, which can sometimes be serious. Tell your health care provider right away if you have yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes, sudden weight gain, or stomach swelling or pain. These could be symptoms of serious liver problems. Keep all appointments with your health care provider while you are receiving Decnupaz.

Uses

What is Decnupaz used for?

Decnupaz (pivekimab sunirine-pvzy) is commonly used to treat blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), which is a rare type of blood cancer.

Decnupaz for BPDCN: How It Works and What to Expect

Decnupaz may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Decnupaz work (mechanism of action)?

Decnupaz is a type of targeted cancer treatment called an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). It works by finding cancer cells in the body that have a specific protein, called CD123, on their surface. Once Decnupaz binds to this protein, it releases a medicine inside the cell that prevents the cell from dividing. This helps stop the cancer from growing and can cause the cancer cells to die.

How is Decnupaz supplied (dosage forms)?

Decnupaz is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store Decnupaz?

Decnupaz is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Decnupaz?

The most common side effects of Decnupaz are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Decnupaz that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Decnupaz?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Decnupaz are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Decnupaz may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using Decnupaz. It may also cause veins in the liver to become narrowed or blocked, which can be serious and lead to death. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check the health of your liver. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • A feeling of fullness 
  • Buildup of fluid in the belly (ascites)
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fast weight gain 
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Infusion Reactions. Decnupaz can cause reactions that can be serious when it is given to you. Your infusion may need to be slowed or stopped if you have these reactions. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms when you get your infusion or afterwards.

  • Shortness of breath
  • Redness or warmth of your face and neck
  • Fever or chills
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Chest pain 
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
  • Fast heartbeat

Fluid Retention (Edema). Decnupaz can cause fluid retention, also called edema. Fluid retention can cause serious problems in some people, including those with conditions such as heart failure or kidney problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Swollen body parts, such as the belly, legs, or ankles
  • Sudden weight gain
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Stretched or shiny skin
  • Chest pain
  • Irregular heartbeat

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Decnupaz?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Decnupaz.

  • Decnupaz
  • Pivekimab
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Decnupaz.

What should I know about Decnupaz before using it?

Decnupaz is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. It is given as an infusion into a vein (IV). 

Your health care provider may give you certain medicines to reduce the risk of infusion reactions. Follow all instructions from your health care provider about how to take these medicines. See the Side Effects section for more information.

If you can get your partner pregnant, you should use effective birth control while using Decnupaz and for 4 months after your last dose.  See the Pregnancy section for more information.

Decnupaz may make it hard for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Decnupaz?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Decnupaz is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Decnupaz may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Decnupaz, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Decnupaz may cause harm to a fetus. You must not be pregnant before starting Decnupaz. If you can get pregnant, you should use effective birth control while receiving Decnupaz and for 7 months after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while you are using Decnupaz and for 1 month after your last dose. It is not known if Decnupaz passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Decnupaz?

For more information about Decnupaz, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.decnupaz.com or call them at 800-633-9110.

Interactions

Does Decnupaz interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Decnupaz and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Decnupaz, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

Does Decnupaz interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Decnupaz.

  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions
  • Ritonavir (Norvir), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), or nelfinavir (Viracept), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Decnupaz. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Decnupaz. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Decnupaz?

If you or someone else has used too much Decnupaz, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Decnupaz?

Decnupaz is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Decnupaz as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your Decnupaz dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.