Epkinly (epcoritamab-bysp) is a brand-name drug prescribed for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in some adults. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection by a healthcare professional. The dosage varies depending on the treatment cycle.
Epkinly (epcoritamab-bysp*) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat relapsed or refractory DLBCL in adults. DLBCL is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Relapsed means the cancer has come back after reaching remission with previous treatment. And refractory means the cancer didn’t respond to treatment.
Epkinly is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called bispecific CD20-directed CD3 T-cell engager. Another way to describe Epkinly is as a bispecific T-cell engaging monoclonal antibody. Epkinly isn’t available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Epkinly, including its strengths and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Epkinly, see this article.
Note: This article describes the typical dosage and dosing schedule provided by Epkinly’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Epkinly dosage that’s right for you.
* The reason “bysp” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.
The information below describes Epkinly’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.
Epkinly form
Epkinly comes as a solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give your injections at their clinic.
Epkinly strengths
Epkinly comes in two strengths: 4 milligrams per 0.8 milliliters of solution (4 mg/0.8 mL) and 48 mg/0.8 mL. Both strengths come in a single-dose vial.
Typical dosages
Typically, Epkinly is given in treatment cycles, each lasting 28 days. Your doctor will likely start with smaller (step-up) doses. Then your doctor will give you full doses of the drug for the remainder of treatment. The gradual dose increase when you first start Epkinly helps reduce your risk of side effects from the drug.
The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly prescribed or recommended. However, your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for lymphoma
Doctors may prescribe Epkinly to treat DLBCL that has relapsed or isn’t responding to other treatments.
If your doctor prescribes Epkinly for your lymphoma, you’ll usually receive one injection once per week for the first 12 weeks (cycles 1–3). Then you’ll receive one injection every 2 weeks for 24 weeks (cycles 4–9). Starting with cycle 10, you’ll receive one injection every 4 weeks. The dosing schedule is summarized in the table below:
| Treatment cycle* | Treatment day | Epkinly dose |
| Cycle 1 | 1 | 0.16 mg (step-up dose) |
| 8 | 0.8 mg (step-up dose) | |
| 15 | 48 mg (first full dose) | |
| 22 | 48 mg | |
| Cycles 2–3 | 1, 8, 15, and 22 | 48 mg |
| Cycles 4–9 | 1 and 15 | 48 mg |
| Cycles 10+ | 1 | 48 mg |
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
* Each treatment cycle lasts 28 days.
Long-term treatment
Epkinly is meant to be a long-term treatment if the drug is working well for you. If you and your doctor determine that Epkinly is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.
Your doctor will give you Epkinly by subcutaneous injection. You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office or an infusion center to receive your injection. Your doctor will inject the drug under the skin in your lower abdomen or thigh.
Your doctor will likely give you medications before your Epkinly dose to reduce the risk of certain side effects.* These medications can include corticosteroids, medications that prevent fever, and antihistamines.
In addition, your doctor will likely want you to stay in the hospital for 24 hours after your first full dose. This will typically be your third injection (day 15 of cycle 1). Your doctor will closely monitor you for side effects and treat them if they occur.
If you have questions about how Epkinly is given, talk with your doctor.
* Epkinly has a boxed warning for certain serious side effects. For details, see “Boxed warnings” at the beginning of this article.
If you miss an appointment for your Epkinly injection, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed. Your doctor will determine your dose depending on what cycle you’re on and how long it has been since you missed a dose.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Epkinly.
How long does it take for Epkinly to start working?
Epkinly starts to work after you receive your first full dose, which is on day 15 of cycle 1. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Epkinly treatment.
Is there a typical dosage range for Epkinly?
No, Epkinly doesn’t have a typical dosage range. Instead, Epkinly has a dosing schedule broken into treatment cycles, each lasting 28 days.
In cycles 1–3, you receive 48 mg Epkinly once per week.* In cycles 4–9, you receive 48 mg once every 2 weeks. Starting with cycle 10, you’ll receive 48 mg once per month. For details, see the “Epkinly dosage” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Cycle 1 starts with two low doses to help reduce your risk of side effects from the drug. To learn about Epkinly’s side effects, see this article.
The dosage in this article is the typical dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Epkinly for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. If you have questions about the dosage of Epkinly that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Epkinly. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Epkinly: For information about other aspects of Epkinly, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Epkinly, see this article. You can also look at the Epkinly prescribing information.
- Details about DLBCL: For details about DLBCL, see this article and our list of lymphoma articles. You can also view our cancer hub.
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.