Kyprolis (Carfilzomib) for Myeloma

What Members SayTop TipsSide EffectsCopay HelpFAQs

Kyprolis (carfilzomib) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received earlier treatment. It may be used alone or with certain other medicines.

What Members Say

MHT logo These insights are based on 2,312 comments about Kyprolis from MyMyelomaTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.

Benefits:

Kyprolis can still work when other treatments have stopped working.
Neuropathy (nerve pain) may feel less severe than with other treatments for some people.
Kyprolis may help lower myeloma markers like M-spike and light chains.

Considerations:

Heart-related side effects can happen, such as high blood pressure, changes in heart rhythm, or reduced heart function.
Fatigue is common, especially for one to four days after infusions.
Shortness of breath, cough, or chest symptoms may need close attention.

How Kyprolis Works and How It’s Taken

Kyprolis is a type of medication called a proteasome inhibitor. It blocks proteasomes, which are parts of cells that break down proteins. This can affect how myeloma cancer cells grow and survive.

In multiple myeloma, this helps reduce abnormal myeloma cell activity and can lead these cancer cells to die.

Doctors prescribe Kyprolis when adults have relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after one or more earlier treatments, depending on the treatment plan. By targeting abnormal myeloma cells, the medication may help manage symptoms and slow disease activity.

Kyprolis is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, which means it is delivered into a vein by a healthcare provider in a clinic or infusion center. It is given in repeating treatment cycles. Some treatment plans use it once a week, while others use it twice a week.

Typical Dosing for Multiple Myeloma

The recommended dose of Kyprolis for multiple myeloma is based on body surface area, a standard calculation using height and weight that healthcare providers use to determine dosing.

Common dosing regimens include:

20/70 milligrams per square meter once weekly as a 30-minute infusion with certain other medicines
20/56 milligrams per square meter twice weekly as a 30-minute infusion, alone or with other medicines
20/27 milligrams per square meter twice weekly as a 10-minute infusion, alone or with other medicines

For people with mild or moderate liver problems, the dose is reduced by 25 percent. For people on hemodialysis, Kyprolis is given after the dialysis session.

This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Top Advice From Members on Kyprolis

These insights are based on 2,312 comments about Kyprolis from MyMyelomaTeam members.

Members who use Kyprolis often say it helps to pay close attention to how you feel after each infusion and to keep your care team updated about any new or worsening symptoms. Many also mention that side effects, treatment schedules, and response can vary a lot from person to person, so staying flexible and asking questions can be important.

1

Watch for heart or breathing changes and tell your doctor right away.
“Please, if anyone has breathing difficulty or swelling, please don’t wait. I almost waited too long.”
2

Keep track of side effects after each infusion.
“After infusion day, I get a little headache and backache, but that only lasts a few hours.”
3

Ask your doctor about dose changes if side effects are hard to manage.
“My doctor did have to adjust the dosage down when my platelets kept going down. Now everything seems to be doing well.”

Connect with others who understand life with multiple myeloma. Join MyMyelomaTeam for free.

Kyprolis Side Effects

In clinical studies of Kyprolis for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one or more prior lines of therapy, common side effects occurred in at least 20 percent of people. These were seen when Kyprolis was used alone or with other multiple myeloma treatments, and your experience may vary depending on the treatment combination. These included:

Anemia (low red blood cells)
Diarrhea
High blood pressure
Fatigue (feeling very tired)
Upper respiratory tract infection (like a cold)
Thrombocytopenia (low platelets, which can raise bleeding risk)
Fever
Cough
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
Peripheral edema (swelling in ankles, feet, and legs)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Kyprolis can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:

Cardiac toxicities — These can include new or worsening heart failure, reduced heart pumping, chest pain from low blood flow to the heart, heart attack, or cardiac arrest.
Acute renal failure — Sudden loss of kidney function can occur.
Tumor lysis syndrome — A dangerous shift in body chemicals can happen when cancer cells break down quickly.
Pulmonary toxicity — Severe lung problems can occur, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute respiratory failure, or diffuse lung inflammation.
Pulmonary hypertension — High blood pressure in the lungs can occur.
Dyspnea — Severe shortness of breath can cause serious trouble breathing.
Hypertension — Severe high blood pressure can occur, including hypertensive crisis or emergency.
Venous thrombosis — Blood clots can occur in veins, including deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Infusion-related reactions — Reactions can be severe or life-threatening.
Hemorrhage — Serious bleeding can occur, including in the stomach or intestines, lungs, or brain.
Thrombocytopenia — Severe low platelets can increase the risk of serious bleeding.
Hepatic toxicity and hepatic failure — Liver injury or liver failure can occur, including severe, sometimes fatal liver problems.
Thrombotic microangiopathy — Serious blood vessel and blood cell disorders can occur, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) — This rare brain condition can cause headache, confusion, vision changes, or seizures.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) — This rare, serious brain infection can cause new or worsening neurologic symptoms.
Hepatitis B virus reactivation — The virus can become active again and cause liver problems.
Gastrointestinal perforation — A hole can occur in the stomach or intestines.
Pericarditis — Inflammation around the heart can occur.
Cytomegalovirus infection — This serious infection may affect the eyes, lungs, intestines, pancreas, or other organs.
Embryo-fetal toxicity — Kyprolis can harm your baby if you are pregnant.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Kyprolis

Amgen, the manufacturer of Kyprolis, offers the Amgen SupportPlus Co-Pay Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0. If you have government insurance or no insurance, the website offers information on other ways to save on your prescription.

The Amgen SupportPlus Co-Pay Program also provides information and resources to help with access to your prescribed medication. To learn more, visit the Amgen SupportPlus Co-Pay Program or call 866-264-2778.

What To Know Before Taking Kyprolis

If you can become pregnant, before starting Kyprolis, your doctor will perform a pregnancy test.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to carfilzomib or any ingredients in Kyprolis. Do not take Kyprolis if you have had a serious allergic reaction to carfilzomib or any of its ingredients.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Kyprolis is given with other medicines, and your doctor may give you medicines before treatment to help prevent reactions.

Also, let your doctor know if you have or have had heart, kidney, or liver problems, high blood pressure, any infections, or a history of infections.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Kyprolis, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Kyprolis can harm your baby if you are pregnant.

Females who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for six months after the last dose.
Males with female partners who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for three months after the last dose.

Do not breastfeed during treatment and for two weeks after your last dose.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Kyprolis?
In studies of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, Kyprolis-based treatment combinations helped many people live longer without their disease getting worse.

In one study, people taking a Kyprolis combination went about 26.3 months without their disease getting worse, compared with 17.6 months for those not taking Kyprolis. About 87 percent of people responded to Kyprolis, compared with 67 percent without it.

In another study, people taking a Kyprolis treatment combination went about 18.7 months without their disease getting worse, compared with 9.4 months for those on a different treatment. About 77 percent of people responded to Kyprolis, compared with 63 percent on the other treatment.

Across studies, many people respond to Kyprolis, but results can vary depending on the treatment plan and the individual.

Can Kyprolis cause heart problems in people with multiple myeloma?
Yes. Kyprolis can cause new or worsening heart problems, including heart failure, cardiomyopathy (damage to the heart muscle), reduced blood flow to the heart, and heart attack. Some of these events can be serious or life-threatening.

In clinical studies, death due to cardiac arrest has occurred within one day of treatment. People taking Kyprolis should be monitored for signs and symptoms of heart problems, and treatment may be delayed or stopped if severe reactions occur.

What tests or monitoring are needed with Kyprolis for multiple myeloma?
People taking Kyprolis need regular monitoring during treatment. Your doctor will watch for signs and symptoms of heart problems and check kidney function and blood pressure regularly. Blood tests are done to check platelet (blood clotting) counts, liver enzymes, and potassium levels.

Your doctor will also monitor for signs of serious conditions such as tumor lysis syndrome, bleeding problems, blood vessel complications (thrombotic microangiopathy), and breathing problems.