Imfinzi (durvalumab)

Imfinzi generic or biosimilar

Imfinzi is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s a biologic drug. Biologic drugs are made using living cells. Imfinzi isn’t currently available in biosimilar form, which is a very similar version of the parent brand-name biologic drug. A generic drug, on the other hand, is an exact copy of a brand-name drug that’s made from chemicals.

It’s not possible for drug companies to produce exact copies of biologics. However, biosimilars are made to treat the same conditions as their parent drug. They’re considered to be as safe and effective as the parent drug. And like generics, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Imfinzi contains the active drug durvalumab.

Imfinzi side effects

Imfinzi can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while receiving Imfinzi. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Side effects can differ depending on what type of cancer you are using Imfinizi to treat. They may also differ depending on whether you take Imfinzi by itself or in combination with certain cancer drugs.

For more information on the possible side effects of Imfinzi, refer to this article. Or talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be bothersome.

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

Mild side effects

Mild side effects of Imfinzi can include:*

• fatigue
• feeling weak
• cough
• shortness of breath
• hair loss
• nausea
• pain in your muscles or bones
• itchy skin
• constipation
• diarrhea
• decreased appetite
• fever
• abdominal pain
• upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
• rash†

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

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Imfinzi. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to Imfinzi’s prescribing information.
† For more information, see “Side effect details” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Imfinzi 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 and their symptoms can include:

• Allergic reaction.*
• Severe immune system reactions.*
• Severe or life threatening reactions to Imfinzi infusions.*
• Serious infections, such as pneumonia. Symptoms can include:
  • fever
  • cough
  • flu-like symptoms

If you have serious side effects, your doctor may have you temporarily stop your Imfinzi treatment. Or they may have you permanently stop Imfinzi and switch to a different treatment.

* For more information, see “Side effect details” below.

Side effect details

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after receiving Imfinzi. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include:

• angioedema (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 a severe allergic reaction to Imfinzi. Call 911 or your local emergency phone number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects from immune system reactions

Some serious side effects can happen if your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in your body. These immune system reactions, also called immune-mediated reactions, can cause inflammation (swelling or damage) in any part of your body.

Immune system reactions can happen any time after starting treatment with Imfinzi. They usually occur during treatment with this type of drug, but they can also occur after treatment ends.

In rare cases, these side effects can be fatal.

Imfinzi may cause the following serious side effects due to immune system reactions:

• Hepatitis (inflammation in your liver). Symptoms can include:
  • severe nausea or vomiting
  • pain on the right side of your abdomen
  • jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes)
  • unusually dark urine
  • unusually pale stools
  • fatigue
  • bruising or bleeding more easily than usual
• Colitis (inflammation in your bowel). Symptoms can include:
  • diarrhea
  • blood or mucus in your stools (blood may appear black or tarry)
  • severe abdominal pain
• Nephritis (inflammation in your kidneys), which can lead to kidney failure. Symptoms can include:
  • urinating less than usual
  • blood in your urine
  • swollen ankles
  • decreased appetite
• Hormone problems, such as thyroid, adrenal, or pituitary gland disorders. Symptoms can include:
  • weight gain or weight loss
  • constipation or diarrhea
  • feeling cold or hot
  • feeling unusually tired or lacking energy
  • dizziness or fainting
  • hair loss
  • fast heart rate
  • headache
  • mood changes, such as depression or irritability
• Type 1 diabetes. Symptoms can include:
  • urinating more often than usual
  • feeling more thirsty or hungry than usual
  • blurred vision
  • feeling unusually tired or lacking energy
  • weight loss
• Severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Symptoms can include:
  • rash
  • blistering
  • itching
• Inflammation in other organs, including your eyes, heart, nerves, or brain. It can also affect your joints, muscles, and blood vessels.
• Pneumonitis (inflammation in your lungs). See the next section for more information.

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about your risk of any of these side effects.

Pneumonitis

In some people, Imfinzi treatment can lead to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells in the body. Pneumonitis (inflammation in your lungs) is one side effect that can happen if this occurs in your lungs. It can be life threatening.

Pneumonitis is a common side effect of radiation therapy for the lungs. Your risk of pneumonitis may increase if you have chest radiation therapy before you start receiving Imfinzi.

Symptoms of pneumonitis include new or worsening shortness of breath, cough, or chest pain. If you have these symptoms, contact your doctor right away. They may order a chest X-ray.

If you have pneumonitis, you may need treatment with corticosteroids. An example of a common corticosteroid is prednisone (Rayos).

If you get pneumonitis, your doctor may also have you temporarily stop your Imfinzi treatment. Or they may have you permanently stop Imfinzi and switch to a different treatment.

Rash

A rash is possible during treatment with Imfinzi. In some people, Imfinzi can lead to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells in the body. This can cause dermatitis (skin inflammation) if this occurs in your skin.

Symptoms can include dryness, swelling, and itching. In people with lighter skin tones, dermatitis may appear red. In people with darker skin tones, it may appear purple, gray, or dark brown.

Imfinzi can also cause more serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. Symptoms include a severe or widespread skin rash, blistering, peeling, and itching.

Contact your doctor if you have a skin rash during your Imfinzi treatment. Depending on how severe the rash is, you may need treatment with corticosteroids such as prednisone. For a severe rash, your doctor may have you temporarily stop your Imfinzi treatment. Or they may have you permanently stop Imfinzi and switch to a different treatment.

A rash can also be caused by an infusion reaction. See the section below to learn more.

Infusion reactions

An infusion reaction is a reaction that can occur during or shortly after you receive a drug by intravenous (IV) infusion. (With IV infusions, the drug is slowly injected into a vein over a certain period of time.)

Symptoms of an infusion reaction can include:

• flushing
• feeling dizzy or faint
• shortness of breath
• swelling of your face
• rash or itching
• fever
• shivering

If you have an infusion-related reaction, your infusion may need to be slowed down or stopped. Depending on how severe your reaction is, you may have your next infusion more slowly over a longer period of time. You may also be given other medications before the infusion to reduce the risk of a reaction.

If you have a very severe reaction, your doctor may have you permanently stop Imfinzi and switch to a different treatment.

Hair loss

Some people may have some hair loss with Imfinzi treatment. It’s important to note that hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Imfinzi isn’t a type of chemotherapy, but it may be used with chemotherapy drugs.

In clinical trials, hair loss was only reported in people receiving Imfinzi with certain cancer drugs to treat specific types of lung cancer. In these trials, it’s not known whether hair loss was directly caused by Imfinzi.

Hair loss can also be related to certain hormone problems that can be a side effect of Imfinzi. For example, hair loss can be a symptom of low thyroid hormone levels.

It’s not known how often this side effect occurred in people with certain lung cancers or those who received treatments other than Imfinzi.

If you’re concerned about hair loss during your Imfinzi treatment, talk with your doctor. They may check to see whether your hair loss is related to hormonal problems. If needed, they can prescribe treatment to help regulate your hormone levels.

Imfinzi uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Imfinzi to treat certain conditions. Imfinzi may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition.

Imfinzi is an immunotherapy treatment. This means it helps your immune system attack cancer cells. The types of cancer doctors usually prescribe Imfinzi to treat are described below.

Imfinzi for non-small cell lung cancer

Imfinzi is FDA-approved to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults. NSCLC is the most common form of lung cancer.

Imfinzi treats NSCLC* that is stage 3 (has spread into nearby tissues in the chest). In addition, the cancer must be:

• unresectable (can’t be removed with surgery), and
• stable or improved after combined treatment with radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy, such as cisplatin or carboplatin

Imfinzi also treats NSCLC that is metastatic (has spread to other areas of the body). In addition, the cancer must not have certain EFG and ALK gene mutations (changes). For this type of NSCLC, Imfinzi is used with tremelimumab-actl (Imjudo) and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Effectiveness for NSCLC

In clinical trials, Imfinzi was found effective for treating the types of NSCLC described just above. For details about the results of this trial, see Imfinzi’s prescribing information.

For more information about NSCLC, see our lung cancer hub.

Imfinzi for small cell lung cancer

Imfinzi is FDA-approved to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in adults. This form of lung cancer is less common and typically more aggressive than NSCLC.

Imfinzi is used as a first treatment for extensive-stage SCLC. This means the cancer has spread widely throughout the lungs and chest, or to other parts of the body. For this purpose, Imfinzi is used with etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin. These are chemotherapy drugs.

Effectiveness for SCLC

In a clinical trial, Imfinzi was found effective for treating the type of SCLC described just above. To learn the details about this trial, see Imfinzi’s prescribing information.

For more information about SCLC, see our lung cancer hub.

Imfinzi for biliary tract cancer

Imfinzi is FDA-approved to treat biliary tract cancer in adults. (The biliary tract produces bile, a substance that aids digestion.) Examples of biliary tract cancer include gallbladder cancer and bile duct cancer.* The cancer must be either locally advanced (has spread to a nearby area outside the biliary tract) or metastatic.

For treating these types of biliary tract cancer, Imfinzi is used in combination with the cancer drugs gemcitabine and cisplatin.

* The clinical trial that looked at Imfinzi for biliary tract cancer treatment did not include people with ampullary cancer.

Effectiveness for biliary tract cancer

In a clinical trial, Imfinzi was found effective for treating the types of biliary tract cancer described just above. To learn the details about this trial, see Imfinzi’s prescribing information.

Imfinzi for liver cancer

Imfinzi is FDA-approved to treat hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer, in adults. The cancer must be unresectable. For treating this type of hepatocellular carcinoma, Imfinzi is used in combination with tremelimumab-actl.

Effectiveness for liver cancer

In a clinical trial, Imfinzi was found effective for treating the type of liver cancer described just above. To learn the details about this trial, see Imfinzi’s prescribing information.

For more information about liver cancer, see this list of articles.

Imfinzi and children

Imfinzi isn’t approved for use in children. It’s unknown whether the drug is safe or effective for treating cancer in children.

The safety of Imfinzi for use in children with cancer is currently being studied. However, much more research is needed before it’s known whether the drug could help treat cancers that affect children.

Imfinzi dosage

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

• the type of cancer being treated
• your body weight in kilograms (kg)
• other medical conditions you may have
• whether you have certain side effects

The following information describes Imfinzi dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. Your doctor can also give you dosage information on any drugs you need to take in combination with Imfinzi.

Note: Dosing schedules for cancer treatment are often described using the term “cycles.” A cycle refers to the time from when a dose is given and the period of rest that follows until the next dose.

Drug forms and strengths

Imfinzi comes as a liquid solution in single-dose vials. It’s available in one strength: 50 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL).

Imfinzi vials are available in two sizes:

• 120 mg/2.4 mL
• 500 mg/10 mL

Imfinzi is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional. With IV infusions, the drug is slowly injected into a vein over a certain period of time.

Imfinzi infusions typically take 1 hour. You’ll have the treatment at a doctor’s office or in a hospital or infusion center.

Dosage for non-small cell lung cancer

The Imfinzi dosage for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) depends on the type of NSCLC being treated.

For stage 3 NSCLC

The recommended dosage of Imfinzi for stage 3 NSCLC is 10 mg per kg of body weight. This is given by IV infusion once every 2 weeks. If you weigh 30 kg (about 66 pounds [lb]) or more, you may instead receive 1,500 mg of Imfinzi every 4 weeks.

For metastatic NSCLC

To treat metastatic NSCLC, you’ll receive a dose of Imfinzi on the same day as chemotherapy for a total of eight cycles. For cycles 1–5 of your treatment, a healthcare professional will give you a dose of Imfinzi by IV infusion once every 3 weeks. Then you’ll receive Imfinzi for cycles 6–8, with 4 weeks between each dose.

You’ll also receive tremelimumab-actl (Imjudo) on cycles 1–4 of treatment. After that, you’ll receive one more dose of tremelimumab-actl on cycle 6.

Your dose of Imfinzi will depend on your weight. If you weigh 30 kg (about 66 lb) or more, your Imfinzi dose will be 1,500 mg. If you weigh less than 30 kg, your Imfinzi dose will be 20 mg per kg of body weight.

Dosage for small cell lung cancer

For small cell lung cancer (SCLC), Imfinzi is given with chemotherapy on the same day for cycles 1–4. A healthcare professional will give you Imfinzi by IV infusion once every 3 weeks during these first four cycles.

If you weigh 30 kg (about 66 lb) or more, the recommended starting dose of Imfinzi is 1,500 mg. After cycles 1–4, you’ll receive 1,500 mg of Imfinzi on its own once every 4 weeks.

If you weigh less than 30 kg, the recommended starting dose of Imfinzi is 20 mg per kg of body weight. After cycles 1–4, you’ll receive 10 mg per kg of body weight once every 2 weeks.

Dosage for biliary tract cancer

To treat biliary tract cancer, Imfinzi is given with chemotherapy on the same day for up to eight cycles. For these first cycles, a healthcare professional will give you Imfinzi by IV infusion once every 3 weeks. Then you’ll receive a dose of Imfinzi on its own once every 4 weeks.

If you weigh 30 kg (about 66 lb) or more, the recommended dose of Imfinzi for this use is 1,500 mg. If you weigh less than 30 kg, the recommended dose of Imfinzi is 20 mg per kg of body weight.

Dosage for liver cancer

To treat liver cancer, Imfinzi is given by IV infusion after a dose of tremelimumab-actl on cycle 1. Then you’ll receive a dose of Imfinzi on its own once every 4 weeks.

If you weigh 30 kg (about 66 lb) or more, the recommended dose of Imfinzi for this use is 1,500 mg. If you weigh less than 30 kg, the recommended dose of Imfinzi is 20 mg per kg of body weight.

What if I miss a dose?

It’s important to keep your appointments for your Imfinzi infusions. If you miss an appointment, call your doctor’s office right away to reschedule.

To help make sure you don’t miss an appointment, try setting a reminder on your phone.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

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

For stage 3 NSCLC, Imfinzi is approved to be used for a maximum of 1 year. If you’re receiving Imfinzi treatment for other types of cancer, talk with your doctor about how long you may use this drug.

Imfinzi cost and coupons

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

It’s important to note that you may have to get Imfinzi at a specialty pharmacy. This type of pharmacy is authorized to carry specialty medications. These are drugs that may be expensive or may require help from healthcare professionals to be used safely and effectively.

Before approving coverage for Imfinzi, 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 Imfinzi, contact your insurance company.

Drug coupons

To save money on your Imfinzi prescription, explore the Optum Perks* coupons below.

You can also visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Imfinzi. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

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Financial and insurance assistance

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

AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Imfinzi, offers a program called Access 360. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-ASK-A360 (844-275-2360) or visit the program website.

Biosimilar version

Imfinzi is a biologic drug. It’s not currently available in biosimilar form.

Biologic drugs are made using living cells. It’s not possible for drug companies to produce exact copies of these drugs. A biosimilar drug is a very similar version of the parent brand-name biologic drug. However, it’s not identical.

Biosimilar drugs are made to treat the same conditions as their parent drug. They are considered to be as safe and effective as the parent drug. Biosimilars tend to cost less than their brand-name drugs.

Common questions about Imfinzi

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Imfinzi.

How long does Imfinzi stay in your system?

Imfinzi stays in your system for about 3 months after your last dose. The drug is slowly broken down by your body over this time.

For what length of time can you receive Imfinzi?

If you and your doctor think that Imfinzi is safe and effective for you, you can stay on the treatment for as long as it continues to work for your cancer. However, for stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Imfinzi is approved to be used for up to 1 year only.

How long Imfinzi will work for you depends on various factors. These include the type and stage of cancer you have, whether you get certain side effects, other treatments you may have, and your overall health.

Is Imfinzi chemotherapy?

No, Imfinzi isn’t chemotherapy. It’s a type of treatment called immunotherapy.

Chemotherapy works by directly killing cancer cells in the body that are multiplying rapidly. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, works by helping your immune system attack cancer cells.

Will Imfinzi cure my condition?

No, Imfinzi won’t cure your cancer. There’s currently no known cure for cancer. However, Imfinzi can help extend the length of time you live without your cancer getting worse.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how Imfinzi treats your cancer.

Imfinzi vs. Keytruda

You may wonder how Imfinzi compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Imfinzi and Keytruda are alike and different.

Ingredients

Imfinzi contains the active drug durvalumab, and Keytruda contains pembrolizumab. Both are immunotherapy drugs that help your immune system attack cancer cells.

Uses

Here is a list of conditions that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Imfinzi and Keytruda to treat.

• Both Imfinzi and Keytruda are FDA-approved to treat certain types of:
  • non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
  • small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
  • biliary tract cancer
  • liver cancer
• Keytruda is also FDA-approved to treat certain types of:
  • skin cancer
  • head and neck cancer
  • lymphoma
  • colorectal cancer
  • stomach cancer
  • esophageal cancer
  • cervical cancer
  • kidney cancer
  • endometrial cancer
  • bladder cancer
  • breast cancer
  • solid tumors with certain atypical genetic changes

Drug forms and administration

Imfinzi and Keytruda both come as a liquid solution that’s given by intravenous (IV) infusion. With an IV infusion, the drug is injected into a vein over a period of time. Imfinzi infusions typically last 1 hour, while Keytruda infusions usually last 30 minutes.

Imfinzi infusions are typically given once every 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Keytruda infusions are usually given once every 3 or 6 weeks.

Both of these drugs are given by your doctor or another healthcare professional.

Side effects and risks

Imfinzi and Keytruda have some similar side effects and others that vary. Below are examples of these side effects.

Mild side effects

This list contains up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with both Imfinzi and Keytruda (when taken individually).

• Can occur with both Imfinzi and Keytruda:
  • fatigue
  • feeling weak
  • pain in your muscles or bones
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • decreased appetite
  • rash
  • cough
  • shortness of breath

Serious side effects

These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Imfinzi, with Keytruda, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

• Can occur with Imfinzi:
  • serious infections
• Can occur with Keytruda:
  • few unique serious side effects
• Can occur with both Imfinzi and Keytruda:
  • pneumonitis (inflammation in your lungs)
  • hepatitis (inflammation in your liver)
  • colitis (inflammation in your bowel)
  • nephritis (inflammation in your kidneys), which can lead to kidney failure
  • inflammation (swelling or damage) in other organs, such as your eyes, heart, nerves, brain, joints, muscles, and blood vessels
  • hormone problems, such as thyroid, adrenal, or pituitary gland disorders
  • type 1 diabetes
  • severe skin reactions
  • pneumonia
  • severe or life threatening reactions to the infusion
  • allergic reaction

Effectiveness

These drugs haven’t been directly compared in clinical trials. However, separate studies have found both Imfinzi and Keytruda to be effective in treating certain types of NSCLC and SCLC.

Costs

The actual price you’ll pay for either Imfinzi or Keytruda depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. You can visit Optum Perks* for price estimates of Imfinzi and Keytruda.

Imfinzi and Keytruda are both brand-name drugs. They are both biologic drugs that aren’t currently available in generic or biosimilar form.

Biologic drugs are made using living cells. It’s not possible for drug companies to produce exact copies of these drugs. On the other hand, a generic drug is an exact copy of a brand-name drug that’s made from chemicals.

A biosimilar drug is a very similar version of the parent brand-name biologic drug. However, it’s not identical. Biosimilar drugs are made to treat the same conditions as their parent drug. They are considered to be as safe and effective as the parent drug. Biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

How Imfinzi is given

Imfinzi is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. With IV infusions, the drug is slowly injected into a vein over a certain period of time.

You’ll receive Imfinzi at your doctor’s office or in a hospital or infusion center. Imfinzi infusions typically take 1 hour.

How often Imfinzi is given

Imfinzi is typically given once every 2, 3, or 4 weeks. How often you receive Imfinzi depends on the condition you are using it to treat. Also, you’ll likely receive the drug more frequently at the beginning of treatment. For an overview of Imfinzi’s dosing schedules, see the “Imfinzi dosage” section above.

To help make sure you don’t miss an appointment to have your infusion, try setting a reminder on your phone.

Imfinzi vs. Tecentriq

Like Keytruda (described above), Tecentriq has uses similar to those of Imfinzi. Here’s a comparison of how Imfinzi and Tecentriq are alike and different.

Ingredients

Imfinzi contains the active drug durvalumab, and Tecentriq contains atezolizumab. Both are immunotherapy drugs that help your immune system attack cancer cells.

Uses

Here is a list of conditions that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Imfinzi and Tecentriq to treat.

• Both Imfinzi and Tecentriq are FDA-approved to treat certain types of:
  • non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
  • small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
  • liver cancer
• Imfinizi is also FDA-approved to treat certain types of:
  • biliary tract cancer
• Tecentriq is also FDA-approved to treat certain types of:
  • skin cancer
  • soft tissue tumors

Drug forms and administration

Imfinzi and Tecentriq both come as a liquid solution that’s given by intravenous (IV) infusion. With an IV infusion, the drug is injected into a vein over a certain period of time.

Imfinzi infusions typically last 60 minutes, while Tecentriq infusions usually last 30–60 minutes. Both Imfinzi and Tecentriq infusions are typically given once every 2, 3, or 4 weeks.

Both of these drugs are given by a doctor or another healthcare professional.

Side effects and risks

Imfinzi and Tecentriq have some similar side effects and others that vary. Below are examples of these side effects.

Mild side effects

These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Imfinzi, with Tecentriq, or with both Imfinzi and Tecentriq (when taken individually).

• Can occur with Imfinzi:
  • no unique serious side effects
• Can occur with Tecentriq:
  • sensitivity to light
  • high blood pressure
• Can occur with both Imfinzi and Tecentriq:
  • hair loss
  • fatigue
  • feeling weak
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • rash
  • nausea
  • diarrhea or constipation
  • decreased appetite
  • pain in your muscles or bones

Serious side effects

This list contains examples of serious side effects that can occur with both Imfinzi and Tecentriq (when taken individually).

• pneumonitis (inflammation in your lungs)
• hepatitis (inflammation in your liver)
• colitis (inflammation in your bowel)
• nephritis (inflammation in your kidneys), which can lead to kidney failure
• inflammation (swelling or damage) in other organs, such as your eyes, heart, nerves, brain, joints, muscles, and blood vessels
• hormone problems, such as thyroid, adrenal, or pituitary gland disorders
• type 1 diabetes
• severe skin reactions
• severe or life threatening reactions to the infusion
• serious infections, such as pneumonia
• allergic reaction

Effectiveness

These drugs haven’t been directly compared in clinical trials. However, separate studies have found both Imfinzi and Tecentriq to be effective for treating certain types of NSCLC, SCLC, and liver cancer.

Costs

The actual price you’ll pay for Imfinzi or Tecentriq depends on your insurance plan, your location, and if applicable, the pharmacy you use. You can visit Optum Perks* for price estimates of Imfinzi and Tecentriq.

Imfinzi and Tecentriq are both brand-name drugs. They are both biologic drugs that aren’t currently available in generic or biosimilar form.

Biologic drugs are made using living cells. It’s not possible for drug companies to produce exact copies of these drugs. On the other hand, a generic drug is an exact copy of a brand-name drug that’s made from chemicals.

A biosimilar drug is a very similar version of the parent brand-name biologic drug. However, it’s not identical. Biosimilar drugs are made to treat the same conditions as their parent drug. They are considered to be as safe and effective as the parent drug. Biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

Alternatives to Imfinzi

Imfinzi is called an immunotherapy drug. Immunotherapy drugs help your immune system attack cancer cells.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Imfinzi, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Alternatives for non-small cell lung cancer

Examples of other immunotherapy drugs that may be used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) include:

• atezolizumab (Tecentriq)
• nivolumab (Opdivo)
• pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

Alternatives for small cell lung cancer

Examples of other immunotherapy drugs that may be used to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC) include:

• atezolizumab (Tecentriq)
• ipilimumab (Yervoy)
• nivolumab (Opdivo)
• pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

Alternatives for biliary tract cancer

An example of another immunotherapy drug that may be used to treat biliary tract cancer includes:

• pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

Alternatives for liver cancer

Examples of other immunotherapy drugs that may be used to treat liver cancer include:

• pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
• atezolizumab (Tecentriq)
• nivolumab (Opdivo)
• ipilimumab (Yervoy)

Imfinzi use with other drugs

When Imfinzi is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that’s stage 3, it’s given on its own. For the other cancers Imfinzi treats, the table below lists the drugs that are usually prescribed with Imfinzi. Note that these drugs are usually taken with Imfinzi early in treatment. Eventually, Imfinzi is given on its own.

* Carboplatin, cisplatin, pemetrexed, gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, and etoposide are chemotherapy drugs.

In rare cases, people who received Imfinzi with other cancer medications experienced a side effect that led to death. Examples of these side effects include pulmonary embolism, liver damage, and sepsis. It isn’t known what role, if any, Imfinzi had in causing these side effects, or whether they could have been caused by the other cancer drugs.

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about your risk of developing serious side effects during your Imfinzi treatment.

Imfinzi and alcohol

Imfinzi isn’t known to interact with alcohol. However, if you get certain side effects with Imfinzi, drinking alcohol could make them worse. Examples of these side effects include fatigue and nausea.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe to drink during your Imfinzi treatment.

Imfinzi interactions

Different drug 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.

Imfinzi and other medications

Imfinzi isn’t known to interact with other medications. However, before starting Imfinzi, 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.

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

Imfinzi and herbs and supplements

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

Imfinzi and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Imfinzi. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Imfinzi, talk with your doctor.

How Imfinzi works

Imfinzi is FDA-approved to treat certain types of cancer in adults.

What happens with certain types of cancer

Cancer occurs when cells in your body develop a genetic change that makes them start to grow and multiply uncontrollably. Your immune system usually notices these atypical cells and quickly attacks and destroys them. However, some cancer cells develop certain genetic changes that make them more able to survive.

With certain types of cancer, the cancerous cells have developed a way of hiding themselves from your immune system. These cancer cells produce a protein called programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) on their surface.

The PD-L1 protein is found on the surface of healthy cells. It’s known as an immune checkpoint because it marks healthy cells to stop your immune system from attacking them. When cancer cells have this protein on their surface, it hides them from your immune system. This allows the cancer cells to grow, multiply, and spread without your immune system stopping them.

What Imfinzi does

Imfinzi is a type of drug called an immune checkpoint inhibitor. It works by attaching to the PD-L1 protein and blocking it. This allows your immune system to find and destroy the cancer cells. It can help shrink certain tumors in your body.

How long does it take to work?

Imfinzi starts to work as soon as you have your first treatment. However, you’re unlikely to feel it working in your body. This is because it shrinks tumors, but it may not relieve the symptoms of your cancer.

Your doctor will order various tests throughout your treatment to check that Imfinzi is working for you.

Imfinzi and pregnancy

Imfinzi is not safe to receive during pregnancy. Although it has not been studied in pregnant people, the way this drug works could cause the immune system to harm a fetus. Animal studies of Imfinzi found the drug could cause pregnancy loss or stillborn offspring.

If you could become pregnant, your doctor will give you a pregnancy test before you start Imfinzi treatment. This allows your doctor to be sure that you’re not pregnant. You should use an effective form of birth control during Imfinzi treatment. See the section below called “Imfinzi and birth control” for more details.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting Imfinzi. They will likely recommend a medication other than Imfinzi to treat your cancer.

Imfinzi and birth control

Imfinzi is not safe to receive 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 receiving Imfinzi.

For more information about Imfinzi treatment during pregnancy, see the “Imfinzi and pregnancy” section above.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Below, use of the terms “male” and “female” refers to sex assigned at birth.

For females using Imfinzi

If you’re a female who could become pregnant, you should use an effective form of birth control during Imfinzi treatment. This could include using condoms, birth control pills, patches, or injections. You should continue using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose of Imfinzi.

For males using Imfinzi

The manufacturer of Imfinzi hasn’t stated whether males receiving Imfinzi need to use birth control. If you’re a male who is sexually active with a partner who could become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can recommend whether you need to use birth control during Imfinzi treatment.

Imfinzi and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Imfinzi passes into breast milk or whether it affects breast milk production. However, it’s possible that Imfinzi could cause serious side effects in a child who’s breastfed. Because of this, you should avoid breastfeeding while receiving this drug and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

If you’re currently breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child during your Imfinzi treatment.