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Overview: Sarclisa Escena is used to treat multiple myeloma in certain people. It is injected under the skin by a health care provider using an on-body injector or a syringe connected to a small tube. Common side effects include infections, diarrhea, tiredness, and injection site reactions. Tell your health care provider right away if you have a fever or any symptoms of an infection. Keep all appointments, including for blood tests, while you are using Sarclisa Escena.

Uses

What is Sarclisa Escena used for?

Sarclisa Escena (isatuximab-irfc) is commonly used to treat certain people with multiple myeloma, which is a type of blood cancer.

Your Guide to Sarclisa and Sarclisa Escena for Multiple Myeloma

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

How does Sarclisa Escena work (mechanism of action)?

Sarclisa Escena is a type of cancer medicine known as immunotherapy. It binds to a specific protein that is found on the surface of some cancer cells. By binding to this protein, Sarclisa Escena activates your immune system to find and kill the cancer cells. 

How is Sarclisa Escena supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Sarclisa Escena

Dosage forms and strengths

Sarclisa Escena is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider using an on-body injector or a syringe connected to a small tube. 

How should I store Sarclisa Escena?

Sarclisa Escena 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 Sarclisa Escena?

The most common side effects of Sarclisa Escena are listed below. These side effects may vary based on what other medicines you are using with Sarclisa Escena. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Sarclisa Escena 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 Sarclisa Escena?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions or Other Body-Wide Reactions. Sarclisa Escena can cause reactions, including serious or life-threatening allergic reactions or systemic (body-wide) reactions. These reactions can happen when you get the medicine or afterwards. These reactions are more likely with the first dose but can also happen after later doses. You may receive medicines before treatment to help lower your risk of these reactions. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious reaction.

  • Breathing problems, shortness of breath, or wheezing
  • Racing heart or feeling of skipped heartbeats
  • Fever, chills, or a general ill feeling
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Runny or stuffy nose

Injection Site Reactions. Sarclisa Escena may cause redness, irritation, swelling, or pain at or near the injection site. These reactions may happen on the day you receive your dose or up to several days later. Call your health care provider if you have an injection site reaction that bothers you, feels severe, or does not go away.

Infections. Sarclisa Escena can increase your risk of infections, including serious or life-threatening infections. Call your health care provider right away if you have an infection or any of the following symptoms.

  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Burning or stinging when you pee 
  • Coughing or coughing up blood
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diarrhea or stomach pain
  • Weight loss

Low Neutrophil Levels (Neutropenia). Sarclisa Escena may cause low levels of a type of white blood cell (called neutrophils), which is known as neutropenia. Neutrophils help prevent infection. Having a low level of neutrophils may increase your risk of infection. Keep all appointments for blood tests while using Sarclisa Escena. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low neutrophil levels.

  • Fever, chills, or sweats
  • Tiredness
  • Sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath
  • Mouth or throat sores
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Cancer. Sarclisa Escena may cause a new cancer or cause a previously treated cancer to recur. Tell your health care provider about any new symptoms that you may get.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Sarclisa Escena?

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

  • Isatuximab-irfc
  • Sarclisa Escena
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Sarclisa Escena.

What should I know about Sarclisa Escena before using it?

Sarclisa Escena is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously) by a health care provider, usually in a hospital or clinic. It may be given using a wearable device called the CirCLIQ On-Body Injector, or it may be given using a syringe connected to a small tube. 

Your health care provider may give you medicines to help lower the risk of certain side effects from Sarclisa Escena. Take these medicines exactly as your health care provider recommends.

Keep all appointments, including for blood tests, with your health care provider. This will help them know if it is safe for you to keep using this medicine.

Some people using Sarclisa Escena with other medicines for multiple myeloma have had heart failure. This means the heart is not working as well as it should be. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any symptoms of heart failure, such as a cough, trouble breathing, or swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs.

Sarclisa Escena may affect the results of certain lab tests. This may affect you if you need a blood transfusion. Before starting Sarclisa Escena, your health care provider may check your blood type. Tell all of your health care providers, including blood banks, that you are using this medicine or have used it in the last 6 months.

People who are age 65 and older can be at greater risk of some side effects from Sarclisa Escena. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Sarclisa Escena?

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 Sarclisa Escena 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 or have had any of the following.

  • An infection
  • Heart problems, including heart failure
  • Shingles

Pregnancy. Sarclisa Escena may cause harm to a fetus. If you can get pregnant, your health care provider may do a test to make sure you are not pregnant before starting Sarclisa Escena. You should also use an effective form of birth control while using Sarclisa Escena and for 7 months after your last dose. Talk to your health care provider about your birth control options. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while using Sarclisa Escena and for 7 months after your last dose. It is not known if Sarclisa Escena passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Sarclisa Escena?

For more information about Sarclisa Escena, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.sarclisa.com or call them at 800-633-1610.

Interactions

Does Sarclisa Escena interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Sarclisa Escena and foods or drinks.

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

Does Sarclisa Escena interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Sarclisa Escena may interact with certain medicines. 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.

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 Sarclisa Escena?

If you or someone else has used too much Sarclisa Escena, 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 Sarclisa Escena?

If you miss an appointment to get your Sarclisa Escena dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.