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Overview: Zynlonta is a medicine used to treat certain types of blood cancer. It works by finding and causing harm to specific cancer cells. Some common side effects may include nausea, muscle or bone pain, and high blood sugar levels. Serious side effects are less common but may include certain blood disorders, infections, liver problems, or sun sensitivity. Contact your health care provider right away if you feel unusually weak or tired, think you have an infection, have stomach pain, or your skin seems yellow. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight, even if it is just for a short period of time. Zynlonta is given by a health care provider into one of your veins. 

Uses

What is Zynlonta used for?

Zynlonta (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) is commonly used for treating B-cell lymphoma that has returned or did not go away with other treatments. These B-cell lymphomas can include high-grade B-cell lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) without a known cause or that has been caused by low-grade lymphoma.

How Zynlonta Works for B-Cell Lymphoma

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

How does Zynlonta work (mechanism of action)?

Zynlonta is a type of medicine known as an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). ADCs work as smart bombs to find cancer cells in the body that have (or express) a certain protein. Zynlonta targets a specific protein called CD19. Once the medicine finds these cells, the different parts of the ADC work to help the loncastuximab tesirine, a chemotherapy, get absorbed inside of the cell to damage its DNA and make the cell die, which stops the tumor from spreading and growing. 

How is Zynlonta supplied (dosage forms)?

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

How should I store Zynlonta?

Zynlonta is 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 Zynlonta?

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

  • Blood disorders (see below)
  • High blood sugar levels
  • Changes in liver function tests
  • Changes in kidney function tests
  • Rash
  • Fluid retention (see below)
  • Nausea
  • Muscle and bone pain

There may be other side effects of Zynlonta 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 Zynlonta?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Zynlonta may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Zynlonta and 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

Fluid Retention. Zynlonta can cause fluid retention and swelling. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of serious fluid retention.

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Swelling of the stomach
  • Bloating

Blood Disorders. Zynlonta can cause blood disorders, such as low neutrophils (neutropenia), low platelets (thrombocytopenia), and anemia. Stop using Zynlonta and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Infection. Zynlonta can increase the risk of infections, including serious infections. Call your health care provider if you have an infection or any of the following symptoms.

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

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using Zynlonta. Keep all appointments, including those for lab work, while you are using Zynlonta. Your health care provider may use these tests to watch for liver problems. Your dose may need to be temporarily stopped or stopped completely depending on the results of your lab tests. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • 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)

Sensitivity to Sunlight and Skin Reactions. Your skin may be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are using certain drugs, including Zynlonta. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Exposing your skin to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. You should limit or avoid exposing your skin to sunlight, including sunlight that comes in through glass such as windows in your house or car. Zynlonta can also cause skin rashes and irritation. Tell your health care provider right away if any of these happen.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Zynlonta?

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

  • Loncastuximab tesirine
  • Zynlonta
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

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

What should I know about Zynlonta before using it?

Do not use Zynlonta unless it has been prescribed by a health care provider. Your health care provider will store and give you the medicine. It will be given to you as an infusion that is injected over a period of time. Your health care provider may also have you take certain medicines before they give you Zynlonta to help prevent side effects. 

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

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 Zynlonta 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.

  • Current or recent infections
  • Liver problems

Pregnancy. Zynlonta may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. You must not be pregnant before starting Zynlonta. If you can become pregnant, use effective birth control during treatment with Zynlonta and for 10 months after your last dose. If you are a male who has a female partner that can become pregnant, use effective birth control during treatment with Zynlonta and for 7 months after your last dose.

Infertility. Zynlonta may cause fertility problems in people who were assigned male at birth. Talk with your health care provider if this is a concern for you.

Breastfeeding. Do not undergo treatment with Zynlonta while you are breastfeeding and for 3 months after your last dose. It is not known if Zynlonta passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Zynlonta?

For more information about Zynlonta, you can visit the drugmaker's website at www.zynlonta.com or call them at 855-690-0340.

Interactions

Does Zynlonta interact with foods or drinks?

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

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Zynlonta.

Does Zynlonta interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Zynlonta 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 Zynlonta?

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

Zynlonta is given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Zynlonta as scheduled. If you miss an appointment, call your health care provider right away to reschedule.