Transcript
((Nurse Gail))
If you're starting to have the conversation with your doctor about your next cervical cancer treatment, I'm sure you have a lot on your mind. As a nurse practitioner, a lot of my patients feel anxious about going through the process of starting their next therapy. I know how intimidating it can be when you don't know what the next step looks like.
But I find that sharing information is the best way to help my patients get started. To help you feel prepared as you begin treatment with Tivdak, or tisotumab vedotin-tftv, let's talk about what you can expect.
((Voice-Over))
You may have heard of Tivdak before. It's a prescription medicine used to treat adults with cervical cancer that has returned or spread to other parts of the body, and who have had chemotherapy that did not work or is no longer working.
TIVDAK was FDA approved based on a clinical study that measured how many patients had a tumor response and how long that response lasted. Continued approval is dependent on the results of an ongoing study to confirm the benefit of TIVDAK.
((Nurse Gail))
Tivdak is different from other treatments you've taken before for your cervical cancer. While some side effects may be familiar to you, it's important to know that eye problems are common with Tivdak and can be serious.
((Voice-Over))
TIVDAK can cause changes to the surface of your eye that can lead to dry eyes, eye redness, eye irritation, corneal ulcers, blurred vision, and severe vision loss.
Tell your healthcare provider if you develop new or worsening vision changes or eye problems during treatment.
And remember to review Important Safety Information at the end of this video, which covers more information on eye problems.
You should also read the Important Facts about TIVDAK, including an IMPORTANT WARNING, on tivdak.com.
((Nurse Gail))
While eye problems may be new to you, there are steps you can follow that may help reduce your risk of eye problems. Before we go over these steps, it can help to understand why Tivdak might affect your eyes. Tivdak is designed to attach to a special protein called tissue factor or TF. Some cancers, including cervical cancer, have this special protein. TF is also present on some normal cells, including on cells in the eyes. Eye problems may develop if Tivdak travels to the eye cells.
While taking Tivdak, you'll follow a set of steps designed to help reduce the risk of eye problems. Tivdak Required Eye Care includes some things you'll do before, during, and after each infusion.
First, your doctor will send you to an eye specialist to check your eyes before starting treatment and before each Tivdak infusion.
((Voice-Over))
You may also need to visit an eye specialist if you experience any new or worsening eye problems during treatment. So be sure to let your doctor know if you notice any changes to your eyes.
((Nurse Gail))
Before you start treatment, your doctor will prescribe 3 types of eye drops: steroid, vasoconstrictor, and lubricating drops.
((Voice-Over))
Steroid drops may help protect against redness, swelling, and itchiness. Vasoconstrictor drops may help keep Tivdak from affecting your eyes by reducing blood flow in the eyes. Lubricating drops may help reduce and relieve dryness and discomfort. Bring all 3 eye drops with you to your infusions. You'll use them at each infusion appointment and between infusions.
((Nurse Gail))
At each appointment, I help my patients out with a few steps. A nurse or a member of your care team may be there to help you as you apply steroid drops and vasoconstrictor drops right before the infusion. Then they'll give you a cold pack to place over the eye area throughout the infusion of Tivdak.
((Voice-Over))
For the remainder of your infusion day, you'll apply your steroid drops 2 more times. And for the 2 days following infusion day, apply your steroid drops 3 times per day or as instructed by your care team.
((Nurse Gail))
Use your lubricating drops as often as needed or as prescribed throughout the treatment, and for 30 days after your last Tivdak infusion. While on treatment, avoid wearing contact lenses unless your eye specialist says you can use them. It's best to avoid anything that might irritate your eyes.
If it sounds like a lot to remember, don't worry. There are plenty of resources on tivdak.com to help you along the way, like the Eye Care Guide, with more details about the eye drop schedule. You can also sign up for TivdakTexts to receive helpful reminders throughout treatment. These text messages can help you keep track of your eye drop schedule and your infusion appointments. And you can always ask your care team any questions you have.
Talk to your doctor about Tivdak to continue your treatment conversation.
Keep watching for more important information about TIVDAK, including an IMPORTANT WARNING.
((Voice-Over))
What is TIVDAK?
TIVDAK is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with cervical cancer:
- that has returned or has spread to other parts of the body, and
- who have received chemotherapy that did not work or is no longer working
TIVDAK was FDA approved based on a clinical study that measured how many patients had a tumor response and how long that response lasted. Continued approval is dependent on the results of an ongoing study to confirm the benefit of TIVDAK.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about TIVDAK?
Eye problems are common with TIVDAK and can be serious. TIVDAK can cause changes to the surface of your eye that can lead to dry eyes, eye redness, eye irritation, corneal ulcers, blurred vision, and severe vision loss. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop new or worsening vision changes or eye problems during treatment.
Your healthcare provider will send you to an eye specialist to check your eyes before you start treatment with TIVDAK, before each dose of TIVDAK, and as needed for any new or worsening signs and symptoms of eye problems.
Your healthcare provider will prescribe 3 different types of eye drops before you start treatment with TIVDAK. Bring the eye drops with you to each infusion and use them as directed by your healthcare provider to reduce your risk of eye problems:
- You should use steroid eye drops before each infusion and as prescribed for 72 hours after each infusion
- You should use vasoconstrictor eye drops right before each infusion
- You should use lubricating eye drops throughout treatment and for 30 days after your last dose of TIVDAK
Do not wear contact lenses throughout your treatment with TIVDAK unless you are told to use them by your eye specialist.
What are the possible side effects of TIVDAK?
Serious side effects of TIVDAK may include:
Eye Problems. See "What is the most important information I should know about TIVDAK?"
Nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy) are common with TIVDAK and can be serious. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening numbness or tingling in your hands or feet or muscle weakness.
Bleeding problems (hemorrhage) are common with TIVDAK and can be serious. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have signs or symptoms of bleeding during treatment with TIVDAK including blood in your stools or black stools (looks like tar), blood in your urine, cough up or vomit blood, unusual vaginal bleeding, or any unusual or heavy bleeding.
Lung problems. TIVDAK may cause severe or life-threatening inflammation of the lungs that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms, including trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or cough.
Severe skin reactions. TIVDAK may cause severe or life-threatening skin reactions that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have signs or symptoms of a severe skin reaction during treatment with TIVDAK, including:
- Skin reactions that look like rings (target lesions)
- Rash or itching that continues to get worse
- Blistering or peeling of the skin
- Painful sores or ulcers in your mouth, nose, throat, or genital area
- Fever or flu-like symptoms
- Swollen lymph nodes
The most common side effects of TIVDAK include:
- Decreased red blood cell and white blood cell counts
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, or muscle weakness (peripheral neuropathy)
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Nosebleed (epistaxis)
- Eye problems (conjunctival disorders)
- Bleeding (hemorrhage)
- Changes in kidney function blood tests
- Dry eye
- Abnormal blood clotting test results
- Diarrhea
- Rash
Your healthcare provider may decrease your dose of TIVDAK, temporarily stop, or completely stop treatment if you have side effects.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before receiving TIVDAK?
Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have a history of vision or eye problems
- have numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
- have bleeding problems
- have liver problems
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; TIVDAK can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with TIVDAK
- are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TIVDAK passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of TIVDAK
Females who are able to become pregnant:
- Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with TIVDAK
- You should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 2 months after the last dose of TIVDAK
Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant:
- You should use effective birth control during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose of TIVDAK
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking TIVDAK with certain other medicines may cause side effects.
These are not all the possible side effects of TIVDAK. Discuss side effects with your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/Safety/Medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Important Facts about TIVDAK including IMPORTANT WARNING on tivdak.com.
