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Overview: Tevimbra is used to treat certain cancers of the esophagus and stomach. It works by helping your immune system find and attack cancer cells. Common side effects include tiredness, muscle or bone pain, weight loss, and abnormal lab test results. Tevimbra may cause your immune system to attack healthy tissues or organs. This can lead to serious or even life-threatening problems. Keep all appointments to check your blood work and tell your health care provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms.

Uses

What is Tevimbra used for?

Tevimbra (tislelizumab-jsgr) is commonly used for the following conditions.

Treating Esophageal Cancer With Tevimbra

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

How does Tevimbra work (mechanism of action)?

Tevimbra is a type of immunotherapy. It works by blocking a protein called PD-1, which some cancer cells can use to hide from the immune system. By blocking PD-1, Tevimbra helps your immune system find and attack cancer cells.

How is Tevimbra supplied (dosage forms)?

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

How should I store Tevimbra?

Tevimbra 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 Tevimbra?

The most common side effects of Tevimbra are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the condition that is being treated. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Tevimbra 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 Tevimbra?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Tevimbra 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

Infusion Reactions. Tevimbra is given as an infusion into a vein. Some people may have reactions during an infusion that can be serious. If you have these reactions, your infusion may need to be paused, slowed, or stopped. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms during your infusion.

  • Fever or chills
  • Itchiness or rash
  • Flushing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or feeling faint
  • Neck or back pain

Immune System Reactions. Tevimbra may cause your immune system to attack healthy tissues or organs, causing inflammation. When tissues or organs become inflamed, they may not work as well as they should. These side effects of immunotherapy can lead to serious or even life-threatening problems. Getting medical help right away may help prevent these problems from becoming more serious. Keep all appointments to check your blood work. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms, even if you are no longer being treated with this medicine.

  • Inflamed lungs (pneumonitis): Chest pain, shortness of breath, or new or worsening cough
  • Inflamed intestines (colitis): Severe stomach pain, diarrhea, blood or mucus in your stool or black, tarry stools
  • Inflamed liver (hepatitis): Severe nausea or vomiting, stomach pain on your right side, yellowish eyes or skin, dark urine (pee), or easy bleeding or bruising
  • Inflamed hormone glands (adrenal insufficiency,thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes): Headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, sweating, tiredness, weight gain or loss, hair loss, changes in mood or behavior, peeing more than usual, feeling cold
  • Inflamed kidneys (nephritis): Peeing less than usual, bloody urine (pee), or swelling in your ankles
  • Skin inflammation (dermatitis): Skin rash, itching, blistering, or peeling or painful sores in your mouth, nose, throat, or genitals
  • Heart or blood vessel inflammation: Chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Inflamed nerves: Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs 
  • Inflamed muscles or joints: Pain, swelling, or stiffness in your muscles or joints
  • Inflamed eye (uveitis): Blurred or double vision, eye pain or redness, sensitivity to light, vision loss
  • Inflamed brain (encephalitis): Stiff neck, balance or memory problems, or confusion

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Tevimbra?

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

  • Tevimbra
  • Tislelizumab
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

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

What should I know about Tevimbra before using it?

Tevimbra is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Your health care provider will tell you how many treatments you will get.

Keep all appointments to check your blood work so that your health care provider can check for side effects.

Tell your health care provider right away if you have new or unusual symptoms during or after Tevimbra treatment. Tevimbra may cause your immune system to attack healthy parts of your body, such as the lungs, liver, kidneys, or skin. This can happen at any time during treatment or after treatment ends. See the Side Effects section for more details.

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

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 Tevimbra is right for you.

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

Stem Cell Transplant. Tell your health care provider if you had a stem cell transplant or plan to have one. Tevimbra may raise the risk of serious problems after a stem cell transplant.

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

Pregnancy. Tevimbra may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider may give you a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant before starting Tevimbra. If you can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control during Tevimbra treatment and for 4 months after your last dose. Talk to your health care provider about effective birth control options. 

Breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while using Tevimbra and for 4 months after your last dose. It is not known if Tevimbra passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Tevimbra?

For more information about Tevimbra, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.tevimbra.com or call them at 833-969-2463.

Interactions

Does Tevimbra interact with foods or drinks?

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

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

Does Tevimbra interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Tevimbra and other 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 Tevimbra?

If you or someone else has used too much Tevimbra, 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 Tevimbra?

Tevimbra is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you miss an appointment to get your Tevimbra dose, call to reschedule as soon as possible.