Key takeaways
- Rybrevant commonly causes skin reactions, digestive issues, including nausea, and fatigue, though most side effects are temporary.
- Managing side effects may involve slowing or pausing the infusion, taking anti-nausea medication, or eating smaller, more frequent meals. People should discuss persistent or bothersome symptoms with their doctor rather than stopping treatment on their own.
- Healthcare professionals administer preventive medications before each Rybrevant infusion to reduce the risk of infusion-related reactions. These can include flushing, low blood pressure, and breathing difficulties.
Rybrevant (amivantamab-vmjw) is a brand-name intravenous (IV) infusion for adults with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)- positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
This article explains the possible side effects of Rybrevant, which range from mild to serious.
Rybrevant’s most common side effects are typically temporary and easy to manage, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist or become severe, talk with a doctor or pharmacist.
Most common side effects
The most common side effects in clinical trials of Rybrevant were:
- Rash and skin issues: These can range from mild to severe, including acne-like bumps, peeling, and skin pain.
- Nail toxicity: This involves pain or infections in the skin around the nails (paronychia).
- Infusion-related reactions: These symptoms happen during the IV drip, such as flushing, chills, or shortness of breath.
- Fatigue: A person may feel extremely tired.
- Musculoskeletal pain: Pain in the bones, muscles, or joints can occur.
- Nausea: It is common to feel sick from Rybrevant.
- Stomatitis: This involves inflammation and sores inside the mouth.
- Edema: Swelling in the hands, ankles, feet, or face is possible.
- Constipation: A person may have difficulty having a bowel movement.
Less common side effects
The following side effects were less common in clinical trials but still frequent:
- itchy skin
- shortness of breath
- decreased appetite
- blood clots (more common when taken with lazertinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor medication)
- numbness or tingling (more common when taken with lazertinib)
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- COVID-19 infections
- dry skin
- bleeding (hemorrhage)
- cough
Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews its side effects. If you develop a side effect while taking this medication and want to report it to the FDA, you can visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.
Rybrevant may cause the following serious side effects:
Eye problems
Possible eye problems include keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) and uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye), which may cause symptoms such as:
- eye pain or itching
- eye redness
- changes in vision, such as blurry or cloudy vision
- sensitivity to light
Lung problems
Lung problems can include interstitial lung disease (inflammation and buildup of scar tissue in the lungs) and pneumonitis (inflammation in the lungs), which can cause symptoms such as:
- new or worsening cough
- fever
- breathlessness
- difficulty breathing
Severe skin reaction
This can include toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can cause symptoms such as:
- widespread, severe, or painful skin rash
- skin blistering or peeling
- fever
A doctor will prescribe an oral antibiotic alongside Rybrevant to reduce the risk of severe skin reactions.
Infusion-related reaction
Symptoms of an infusion-related reaction may include
- flushing
- hypotension (low blood pressure)
- shortness of breath
- allergic reaction
Blood clots
Blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism) are a serious and potentially life threatening side effect, especially when Rybrevant is given alongside another drug called lazertinib.
Doctors will typically prescribe a blood thinner for the first 4 months of treatment to help prevent these clots.
Symptoms of a blood clot include:
- swelling
- pain or tenderness in the leg
- sudden chest pain
- shortness of breath
If you develop serious side effects while receiving Rybrevant, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Rybrevant and Tagrisso (both used to treat a certain type of NSCLC) share some side effects, such as lung, skin, and digestive problems.
However, Rybrevant can cause infusion-related reactions, while Tagrisso, an oral tablet, does not. Tagrisso can cause upper respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections (UTI), while Rybrevant does not.
Most side effects of Rybrevant are mild and temporary. They may last a few days to a few weeks. If they last longer or are difficult to tolerate, a person can talk with their doctor.
Before starting Rybrevant, a doctor will consider a person’s health history. Rybrevant may not be suitable if a person has certain medical conditions or other factors affecting their health, such as:
- lung problems
- skin problems
- eye problems
- previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
People who can become pregnant will need a pregnancy test before starting treatment. They must also use effective birth control during their treatment and for 3 months after their final dose, because the drug can harm an unborn baby.
Anyone planning to breastfeed will need to wait for 3 months after their last dose of Rybrevant, as the drug may be present in breastmilk.
Rybrevant is an intravenous medication used to treat certain types of advanced NSCLC in adults. Its most common side effects include skin rashes, nail infections, and infusion-related reactions.
It can also cause serious complications like lung inflammation and blood clots.
Doctors typically prescribe preventive medications alongside Rybrevant, such as antibiotics for skin health and blood thinners to reduce the risk of clotting.
Disclaimer: While Medical News Today strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.