Monjuvi (tafasitamab-cxix) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved* it to treat diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in adults. This treatment is used for DLBCL that didn’t respond to past treatment (refractory) or came back after treatment (relapsed). Monjuvi is prescribed in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide).
Monjuvi comes as a powder that’s mixed into a solution by your healthcare professional. They will give it to you as an IV infusion. Monjuvi belongs to a drug class called CD19-directed cytolytic antibodies.
This medication is a biologic drug. There are currently no biosimilar forms of Monjuvi.
For information about the dosage of Monjuvi, including its strength and how to receive the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Monjuvi, see this article.
* It’s important to note that Monjuvi is approved to treat DLBCL through an accelerated approval. This means that the FDA approved the drug quicker than is typical, which can be done if there aren’t many effective treatments for a certain condition. For more information, refer to this article.
This article describes typical dosages for Monjuvi provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Monjuvi dosage that’s right for you.
Before you start treatment with Monjuvi, your doctor will help determine the best treatment plan for your condition.
Monjuvi form
Monjuvi comes as a powder that’s mixed into a solution by your healthcare professional. It’s given as an IV infusion.
Monjuvi strength
Monjuvi comes in one strength: 200 milligrams (mg).
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
The recommended dosage of Monjuvi for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is based on your body weight. Your doctor will typically recommend a dosage of 12 mg of Monjuvi per kilogram (kg) of your body weight. (For reference, 1 kg equals about 2.2 pounds [lb].) For example, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your dose of Monjuvi will be 840 mg.
Monjuvi is given in combination with another drug called Revlimid (lenalidomide) in treatment cycles of 28 days. Here is a table that shows the typical Monjuvi dosing schedule:
Cycle | Days you’ll receive Monjuvi |
1 | 1, 4, 8, 15, and 22 |
2 and 3 | 1, 8, 15, and 22 |
4 and on | 1 and 15 |
Monjuvi is given in combination with lenalidomide for a maximum of 12 cycles. Then, your doctor may recommend continuing treatment with Monjuvi only, and stopping lenalidomide.
Long-term treatment
Monjuvi may be a long-term treatment. However, this depends on how well the drug is working to treat your cancer and whether you have any side effects. If you and your doctor determine that Monjuvi is safe and effective for you, you may receive it long term.
Monjuvi is given in combination with lenalidomide for a maximum of 12 cycles. Then, your doctor may recommend stopping lenalidomide and continuing treatment with Monjuvi.
The Monjuvi dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on your body weight. Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Monjuvi dosage.
Monjuvi is a powder that your healthcare professional will mix into a solution. They will give it to you as an IV infusion. You’ll receive your dose of Monjuvi in your doctor’s office, infusion suite, or hospital.
Administration of your first dose of Monjuvi typically takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. Doses after that may take between 1.5 and 2 hours.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend taking other medications before you receive your dose of Monjuvi to help prevent side effects. You’ll take these drugs 30 minutes to 2 hours before getting your dose of Monjuvi. These medications may also be called premedications.
Examples of some premedications that your doctor may recommend include:
- Tylenol (acetaminophen)
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- Rayos (prednisone)
If you have additional questions about how Monjuvi is given, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you miss your appointment to receive your dose of Monjuvi, call your doctor’s office right away to reschedule. They will recommend the best time to receive your dose of Monjuvi.
To help make sure that you don’t miss an appointment for your dose of Monjuvi, 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.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Monjuvi for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. If you have questions about the dosage of Monjuvi that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Monjuvi. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Monjuvi. For information about other aspects of Monjuvi, refer to this article.
- Details about diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. For details about lymphoma, see our cancer hub and list of lymphoma articles.
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.