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Darzalex (daratumumab) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating adults with multiple myeloma.
These insights are based on 7,225 comments about Darzalex from MyMyelomaTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.
Darzalex works by attaching to a protein called CD38 on myeloma cells. This can help kill the cancer cells in different ways, including direct cell death and through the body’s immune system.
Doctors prescribe Darzalex to adults with multiple myeloma. You may receive Darzalex in combination with other multiple myeloma treatments, or alone, depending on the type and number of prior treatments you’ve received, or if you are newly diagnosed and can or cannot receive a stem cell transplant that uses your own stem cells.
Darzalex is given as an intravenous infusion, which means it is slowly infused into a vein by a healthcare provider. Treatment is given more often at first, and then less often over time.
These insights are based on 7,225 comments about Darzalex from MyMyelomaTeam members.Members who use Darzalex often say it helps to know what the treatment schedule may look like, keep track of side effects and lab results, and stay in close contact with the care team. Many also mention that fatigue, infections, and infusion reactions can be easier to manage when you plan ahead and speak up early about changes.
Keep track of your treatment schedule and what to expect.
“I will end my 2nd cycle of Darzalex on 11/21. I will start my 3rd cycle on 12/12 and I will only get treatments every other week for four months instead of the weekly treatments. Once I start cycle 7, I will only receive treatment once a month for the remaining 2.5 years.”
Tell your doctor about side effects and ask about dose changes.
“I’ve had a couple in the beginning, and my care team has adjusted my doses each time with positive results.”
Watch your labs and trends closely.
“Both my oncologist and I were watching my blood test results carefully. We both noticed an increasing trend upward of my light chain results.”
Take infection symptoms seriously and report them early.
“Darzalex does drop my immunoglobulins. So you will need to be extra careful to avoid infections.”
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In clinical trials of Darzalex (daratumumab) for adults with multiple myeloma, the most common side effects occurred in more than 20 percent of people. Side effects varied depending on the combination treatment used with Darzalex. They include:
Darzalex can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious side effect from Darzalex.
Janssen Biotech, the manufacturer of Darzalex, offers the J&J withMe Savings Program. Eligible individuals with commercial insurance may pay as little as $5 per dose.
To learn more, visit the Darzalex savings and support page, or call 833-JNJ-wMe1 (833-565-9631).
Before starting Darzalex, your doctor will check your blood type and do an antibody test. Your healthcare provider will also check you for signs of a hepatitis B infection before, during, and for some time after treatment with Darzalex.
Do not receive Darzalex if you have had a serious allergic reaction (including anaphylaxis) to daratumumab or any of the ingredients in Darzalex.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.
Before you receive Darzalex, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell all of your healthcare providers that you are being treated with Darzalex before receiving blood transfusions.
If you miss a dose, your healthcare provider should give the missed dose as soon as possible. Your treatment schedule may be adjusted to keep the same time between doses.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Darzalex, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Darzalex can harm a baby during pregnancy. If you can become pregnant, use effective birth control during treatment and for three months after your last dose.
Because it is not known whether Darzalex passes into breast milk, you should not breastfeed while using it.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Darzalex?
How well Darzalex works depends on the treatment plan and when it is used. In studies, Darzalex combinations helped more people respond to treatment and helped people live longer without their disease getting worse.
For example, in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in people who could not have a stem cell transplant, Darzalex with lenalidomide and dexamethasone had a 92.9 percent overall response rate, compared with 81.3 percent for lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone. The median time before the disease got worse was 61.9 months versus 34.4 months.
In relapsed (has come back) or refractory (did not respond to treatment) multiple myeloma, Darzalex with lenalidomide and dexamethasone had a 91.3 percent overall response rate, compared with 74.6 percent without Darzalex. The median time before the disease got worse was 45 months versus 17.5 months.
How often is Darzalex taken for multiple myeloma?
How often Darzalex is given depends on the treatment combination. In several multiple myeloma regimens, it starts weekly, then changes to every two weeks, and later to every four weeks. Your doctor will choose the schedule based on the other medicines you are taking.
What tests or monitoring are needed during Darzalex treatment for multiple myeloma?
Before starting Darzalex, your doctor will check your blood type and do an antibody test. This is important because the medicine can affect blood matching tests, and this effect can last for up to six months after treatment ends.
Your doctor will monitor you for signs of a hepatitis B infection before, during, and for some time after treatment with Darzalex. This is because the medicine can cause hepatitis B virus to become active again.
During treatment, your doctor will check your blood counts regularly. This is because Darzalex can lower white blood cells and platelets.
On MyMyelomaTeam, people share their experiences with multiple myeloma, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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