Camzyos is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s FDA-approved to treat obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in certain adults.

HCM is a heart condition that causes the walls of your heart muscle to thicken. Having thickened heart muscle walls makes it harder for your heart to pump out blood. “Obstructive” means the condition reduces blood flow from your heart to the rest of your body.

Camzyos is prescribed to treat obstructive HCM that’s causing symptoms. For more information, see the “Camzyos uses” section below.

Drug details

Camzyos contains the active drug mavacamten. It belongs to a drug class called cardiac myosin inhibitors.

Camzyos comes as an oral capsule. It’s available in four strengths: 2.5 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg.

FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Camzyos in 2022 to treat obstructive HCM. This drug is the first cardiac myosin inhibitor to be FDA-approved.

Effectiveness

For information about the effectiveness of Camzyos, see the “Camzyos uses” section below.

Camzyos contains the active drug mavacamten. It’s available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

As with all medications, the cost of Camzyos can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Keep in mind that you may be able to get a 90-day supply of Camzyos. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.

It’s important to note that you’ll have to get Camzyos from a certified pharmacy. This type of pharmacy is authorized to dispense the drug as part of the Camzyos risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) program. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires REMS programs for certain drugs to help make sure they’re prescribed safely.

Before approving coverage for Camzyos, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to get prior authorization for Camzyos, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Camzyos, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

A program called the Camzyos Co-Pay Program is available. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 855-226-9967 or visit the program website.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Generic version

Camzyos is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Camzyos can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Camzyos. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Camzyos, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Camzyos, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Camzyos. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view Camzyos’ prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Camzyos can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about allergic reaction and Camzyos, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Camzyos aren’t common. However, they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects can include:

* Camzyos has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is a serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Camzyos precautions” section below.
† For details about allergic reaction and Camzyos, see “Allergic reaction” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Camzyos. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of this drug. However, it can still occur.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare. However, it is possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Camzyos, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Camzyos is used to treat obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It’s prescribed when this condition is causing symptoms.

HCM is a heart condition that causes the walls of your heart muscle to thicken. Having thickened heart muscle walls makes it harder for your heart to pump out blood. “Obstructive” means the condition reduces blood flow from your heart to the rest of your body. To learn more, see “Camzyos uses” below.

Camzyos belongs to a class of drugs called cardiac myosin inhibitors. Camzyos’ mechanism of action (the way it works) is to block the activity of a certain protein that helps your heart muscle contract (squeeze). By blocking this protein, Camzyos relaxes your heart muscle. This helps ease the symptoms of obstructive HCM.

How long does it take to work?

Camzyos starts working right after you take your first dose. However, it may take several weeks for the symptoms of your condition to start easing.

In clinical trials, many people with obstructive HCM had fewer symptoms by 30 weeks after starting treatment with the drug.

What is the half-life of Camzyos?

The half-life of Camzyos is about 6 to 9 days. Half-life refers to the time it takes your body to get rid of half of a drug’s dose. For Camzyos, this means it takes about 6 to 9 days for half a dose to leave your system.

It typically takes about five half-lives for a drug to leave your body completely. For Camzyos, this means the drug stays in your body for about 30 to 45 days.

If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Camzyos dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the severity of the condition you’re taking Camzyos to treat
  • certain measurements found with an echocardiogram

Typically, your doctor will start you taking a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Camzyos comes as an oral capsule. It’s available in four strengths: 2.5 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg.

Dosage for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

For obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the typical starting dosage of Camzyos is 5 mg once per day.

Your doctor may adjust your dosage depending on how much blood your heart pumps to the rest of your body. Talk with your doctor about the dosage that’s right for you.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Camzyos, take it as soon as you remember. Then continue your regular dosage schedule.

However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses on the same day. Doing so can increase your risk of side effects from Camzyos.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Will I need to take this drug long term?

Camzyos is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Camzyos is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Camzyos can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Drug-condition interactions can also cause certain effects. For information about these interactions, see the “Camzyos precautions” section below.

Camzyos and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Camzyos. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Camzyos.

Before taking Camzyos, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

The manufacturer of Camzyos advises against prescribing the drug with certain other medications. This is because other medications may affect how Camzyos is broken down in your body. Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Camzyos with the following:

  • Drugs that could make Camzyos less effective. Taking certain drugs with Camzyos could make Camzyos work less effectively. An example is the antibiotic drug rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane).
  • Drugs that could increase the risk of side effects from Camzyos. Taking certain drugs with Camzyos could increase your risk of side effects from Camzyos. This includes the serious side effect of heart failure.* An example is the antifungal drug ketoconazole.

Other medications that may interact with Camzyos include:

  • Certain proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs are used to treat conditions such as heartburn. Taking certain PPIs with Camzyos could increase your risk of side effects from Camzyos. Examples of PPIs include omeprazole (Prilosec) and esomeprazole (Nexium).
  • Certain heart rhythm drugs. These medications are used to treat an abnormal heart rhythm. Taking certain heart rhythm drugs with Camzyos could increase your risk of side effects from Camzyos. Examples of heart rhythm drugs include:
    • disopyramide (Norpace, Norpace CR)
    • diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others)
  • Certain oral birth control medications. Oral birth control is used to help prevent pregnancy. Taking certain oral birth control medications with Camzyos could make birth control less effective. This risk applies to birth control that includes the hormones estradiol or progestin, such as Seasonale, Seasonique, and Yaz.
  • The H2 blocker drug cimetidine. Cimetidine is used to treat conditions such as heartburn. Taking this drug with Camzyos could increase your risk of side effects from Camzyos.
  • The benzodiazepine drug midazolam. Midazolam is used for several purposes, including the treatment of seizures. Examples of this drug include Nayzilam and Seizalam. Taking this drug with Camzyos could make midazolam less effective.
  • The meglitinide drug repaglinide. Repaglinide is used to treat diabetes. Taking this drug with Camzyos could make repaglinide less effective.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

* Camzyos has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Camzyos precautions” section below.

Camzyos and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Camzyos. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking Camzyos.

Camzyos and foods

The manufacturer of Camzyos advises against eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Camzyos. Grapefruit may increase your risk of side effects from the drug, including the serious side effect of heart failure.* Due to this risk, doctors will recommend that you avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice during Camzyos treatment.

If you have questions about eating certain foods while you’re taking Camzyos, talk with your doctor.

* Camzyos has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Camzyos precautions” section below.

Camzyos isn’t known to interact with alcohol.

However, your doctor may advise you to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Camzyos. This is because drinking large amounts of alcohol can damage your heart muscle over time. This damage can make it harder for your heart to pump out blood.

Camzyos is used to treat obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This is a heart condition that also makes it harder for your heart to pump out blood. So it’s possible that drinking alcohol while taking Camzyos could worsen your condition and make it difficult to tell whether Camzyos works for you.

If you have questions about consuming alcohol while you’re taking Camzyos, talk with your doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Camzyos to treat certain conditions.

Camzyos for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Camzyos is FDA-approved to treat obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in certain adults.

Specifically, the drug is used to treat New York Heart Association (NYHA)* Class II or Class III obstructive HCM. With these classes of obstructive HCM, you have symptoms that are severe enough to limit your daily activity.

* Healthcare professionals use the NYHA scale to rank the severity of a person’s obstructive HCM symptoms.

Obstructive HCM explained

HCM is a heart condition that causes the walls of your heart muscle to thicken. Having thickened heart muscle walls makes it harder for your heart to pump out blood. “Obstructive” means the condition reduces blood flow from your heart to the rest of your body.

Symptoms of obstructive HCM can include:

You can learn more about this condition by visiting our cardiovascular health hub.

Effectiveness for treating obstructive HCM

Clinical trials have shown Camzyos to be effective for treating obstructive HCM. For information about how the drug performed in clinical trials, see Camzyos’ prescribing information.

Camzyos and children

Camzyos is not FDA-approved for use in children. It’s not known for sure whether the drug is safe or effective for children.

You should take Camzyos according to the instructions your doctor gives you.

Camzyos comes as an oral capsule. You’ll take the drug by swallowing it.

When to take

You’ll likely take Camzyos once a day. Taking the medication around the same time of day helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body. This helps Camzyos work effectively.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Accessible labels and containers

If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist whether they can put Camzyos in an easy-open container. They also may be able to recommend tools that can make it simpler to open lids.

Taking Camzyos with food

You can take Camzyos with or without food.

Can Camzyos be crushed, split, or chewed?

No, you should not crush, split, or chew Camzyos capsules. You should swallow them whole.

If you have trouble swallowing Camzyos capsules, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also review suggestions in this article.

Camzyos may not be safe to take during pregnancy.

Animal studies have shown harm to offspring born to animals given Camzyos during pregnancy. However, animal studies do not always predict what happens in humans.

Due to this risk, your doctor likely will not prescribe Camzyos during pregnancy. If you’re able to become pregnant, they’ll give you a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy before starting treatment.

If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor. They can recommend treatment options other than Camzyos for your condition.

It may not be safe to take Camzyos during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking Camzyos.

For more information about taking Camzyos during pregnancy, see the “Camzyos and pregnancy” section above.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “female” and “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

For females taking Camzyos

Females who can become pregnant should use birth control while taking Camzyos and for at least 4 months after their last dose. Keep in mind that Camzyos can make certain forms of oral birth control less effective. (For details, see the “Camzyos interactions” section above.)

For this reason, it’s important to talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while taking Camzyos. They can recommend a birth control option that isn’t affected by the drug. Examples include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and condoms.

For males taking Camzyos

The manufacturer of Camzyos hasn’t given birth control recommendations for males taking the drug.

If you’re a male taking Camzyos and have a sexual partner who can become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They’ll advise on your birth control needs while taking this drug.

It’s not known whether Camzyos passes into breast milk. And it isn’t known whether the drug may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor. They can advise on the risks and benefits of taking Camzyos while breastfeeding.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Camzyos.

Does Camzyos cause long-term side effects?

Yes, Camzyos has a risk of new or worsened heart failure as a side effect. Heart failure may cause long-term complications. Having certain health conditions or taking certain other medications with Camzyos may increase this risk.

In fact, Camzyos has a boxed warning about the risk of heart failure. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Camzyos precautions” section below.

If you have questions about long-term side effects with Camzyos, talk with your doctor.

Will Camzyos cure obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

No, Camzyos doesn’t cure obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). There’s currently no cure for this condition. However, Camzyos is used to ease the symptoms of obstructive HCM.

If you have questions about what to expect while taking Camzyos, talk with your doctor.

Can older adults take Camzyos?

Yes, older adults (ages 65 years and older) can take Camzyos. The drug is approved for use in adults of any age to treat obstructive HCM.

Clinical trials of Camzyos included older adults. These trials did not show older adults having a higher risk of side effects or a different response to the drug than younger adults.

If you’re age 65 years or older, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Camzyos to treat your condition.

This drug comes with several precautions. These are known as drug-condition interactions.

FDA warning: Risk of heart failure

This drug has a boxed warning. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of heart failure. Taking Camzyos may lead to new or worsened heart failure. However, this side effect was not common in the drug’s clinical trials.

With heart failure, your heart doesn’t pump blood to the rest of your body as well as it should. This can lead to symptoms such as chest congestion, dizziness, fatigue, and swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet.

Having certain health conditions may increase your risk of heart failure with Camzyos. These include having a serious infection or abnormal heart rhythm. If you have these conditions, talk with your doctor before taking Camzyos. They’ll recommend whether the drug is a safe treatment option for you.

Taking certain other medications with Camzyos can also increase the risk of heart failure. For details and drug examples, see the “Camzyos interactions” section above.

Due to the risk of heart failure, the drug is available only through the Camzyos risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) program. The FDA requires REMS programs for certain drugs to help make sure they’re prescribed safely.

To learn more about the REMS program or the risk of heart failure with Camzyos, talk with your doctor.

Other precautions

Before taking Camzyos, talk with your doctor about your health history. Camzyos may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Camzyos or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Camzyos. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
  • Pregnancy. Camzyos may not be safe to take during pregnancy. For more information, see the “Camzyos and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. It isn’t known for certain whether Camzyos is safe to take while breastfeeding. For more information, see the “Camzyos and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Camzyos, see the “Camzyos side effects” section above.

Taking more than the recommended dosage of Camzyos can lead to serious side effects. Do not take more Camzyos than your doctor recommends. (For information on the recommended dosages of Camzyos, see the “Camzyos dosage” section above.)

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose can include a sudden decrease in heart rate or blood pressure. This may lead to fainting or cause the heart to stop beating.

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Camzyos from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid taking expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to take it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good to take can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

Camzyos tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed container.

You should store Camzyos oral capsules at a temperature of 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). If needed, you can temporarily store the drug at temperatures between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C), such as when traveling. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take Camzyos and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.