Zynlonta (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl*) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat different types of large B-cell lymphoma. These include:
- diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with an unknown cause
- DLBCL that began as low grade (slowly growing) lymphoma
- high grade (fast-growing) B-cell lymphoma
Zynlonta is approved for use in adults who’ve had at least two or more treatments for their B-cell lymphoma. For this use, the B-cell lymphoma must be refractory or relapsed.†
The drug is given as an IV infusion by your doctor or another healthcare professional. You’ll go to your doctor’s office, a clinic, or an infusion center to receive Zynlonta infusions.
Zynlonta is a biologic drug. It’s currently only available as a brand-name medication. There’s no
For information about the dosage of Zynlonta, including its strength and how the drug is given, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Zynlonta, see this article.
* The reason “-lpyl” 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.
† Refractory refers to cancer that has not improved after treatment. Relapsed refers to cancer coming back after treatment.
This article describes typical dosages for Zynlonta provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Zynlonta dosage that’s right for you.
Listed below is information on Zynlonta dosing for its approved uses.
Zynlonta form
Zynlonta comes as a powder in a single-dose vial. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will mix Zynlonta with a liquid to create a solution. They’ll give you the solution as an IV infusion. You’ll go to your doctor’s office, a clinic, or an infusion center to receive Zynlonta infusions.
Zynlonta strength
Zynlonta comes in one strength: 10 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.
Zynlonta dosage for large B-cell lymphoma
Zynlonta’s dosage amount may vary depending on your cancer treatment schedule. Zynlonta is typically given in cycles that last 3 weeks. It’s given on the first day of each cycle.
The table below describes the Zynlonta dosing that’s commonly used for B-cell lymphoma. However, your doctor will determine the best dosage to treat your condition.
| Cycle | Dose by weight | Frequency |
| cycles one and two | 0.15 mg per kilogram (mg/kg)* | first day of each 3-week cycle |
| cycle three and following cycles | 0.075 mg/kg | first day of each 3-week cycle |
* 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds.
Your doctor may also prescribe the steroid dexamethasone for 3 days of each cycle. You’ll begin dexamethasone treatment the day before your Zynlonta dose. Dexamethasone may help reduce the risk of side effects related to the Zynlonta infusion. (To learn more about the side effects of Zynlonta, see this article.)
Long-term treatment
Zynlonta is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Zynlonta is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.
Zynlonta is given as an IV infusion by your doctor or another healthcare professional. You’ll go to your doctor’s office, a clinic, or an infusion center to receive Zynlonta infusions. Your doctor may need to calculate and adjust your Zynlonta dosage at every visit, depending on your weight. The infusion takes about 30 minutes to complete.
If you have questions about how Zynlonta is given, talk with your doctor.
Note: Having a healthcare professional give you Zynlonta infusions at home is not an option with this drug. This is because certain safety procedures must be followed when handling, administering, and disposing of the drug. So it may not be safe to give Zynlonta outside of a healthcare facility.
The Zynlonta dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your Zynlonta treatment cycle
- changes in your body weight
- side effects you may experience from Zynlonta treatment, including:*
* To learn more about the side effects of Zynlonta, see this article.
Dosage adjustments
If you experience severe side effects from Zynlonta treatment, your doctor may decrease your dose. They may also wait until the side effect eases to give your dose.
If the side effect takes longer than 3 weeks to ease and you miss a dose in your typical cycle, your doctor may decrease your dose by half.
If you still experience severe side effects after the dose reduction, your doctor may recommend stopping Zynlonta treatment. They’ll work with you to come up with a different treatment plan if you’re not able to receive Zynlonta.
You’ll have regularly scheduled appointments every 3 weeks to receive your Zynlonta infusion. If you’re unable to make one of your appointments, contact your doctor to reschedule as soon as possible.
If you miss a dose of Zynlonta, the drug may not work as well to treat your cancer.
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.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Zynlonta for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
If you have questions about the dosage of Zynlonta that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Zynlonta. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Zynlonta. For information about other aspects of Zynlonta, refer to this article.
- Details about your condition. For details about large B-cell lymphoma, see our cancer hub or 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.