Key takeaways

  • Carvykti has boxed warnings for risk of certain immune system problems, nervous system problems, and other blood cancers.
  • Serious side effects of the drug tend to be rare.
  • This drug can also cause mild side effects, including digestive problems, headache, and dizziness. Mild side effects tend to go away after a few days to weeks.

Carvykti is used in adults to treat a certain type of bone marrow cancer called multiple myeloma. Specifically, it’s used in people who’ve received at least one treatment, but the cancer has either:

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Carvykti can cause. To learn more about this medication, including its uses, dosage, and cost, read this Carvykti overview.

Carvykti has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Boxed warnings for Carvykti” section.

Carvykti can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult for you to tolerate.

Carvykti’s commonly reported side effects include:

  • fever or chills
  • headache
  • tiredness
  • infection
  • digestive problems

See “Tips for managing side effects” for more information on fever and digestive problems.

Mild side effects have been reported with Carvykti. These include:

See “Tips for managing side effects” for more information on fever and digestive problems.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be managed easily. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop Carvykti treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

For other mild side effects of Carvykti, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Carvykti may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Carvykti’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects during or after Carvykti treatment, 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 call your local emergency number right away.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • serious infection, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fever or chills
    • fatigue (low energy)
    • body aches
  • immune system problems
  • brain and spinal cord (nervous system) problems
  • other blood cancers

For more information on immune system problems, brain and spinal cord problems, and other blood cancers, see the “Boxed warnings for Carvykti” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone. It gives doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during or after Carvykti treatment and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-332-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Carvykti can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

Mild allergic reactions reported in studies of Carvykti included rash and skin flushing (blushing). If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, alert your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms.

After your infusion, if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. Be sure to also alert your doctor.

Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Carvykti. If a serious allergic reaction occurs during your infusion, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Other precautions

To reduce your risk of an allergic reaction, your doctor may give you certain medications 30 to 60 minutes before giving Carvykti. This can include an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

After receiving your Carvykti treatment, your healthcare team will monitor you daily for at least 7 days for serious immune system problems. You should remain near a healthcare facility for at least 2 weeks after you receive Carvykti.

Carvykti has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Immune system problems

Immune system problems have been reported in people receiving Carvykti. These problems can vary in how often they occur and how severe they are. Milder cases were commonly reported in studies. Severe cases, including some that were life threatening, also occurred but were less common. Examples of these immune system problems include:

You may experience the following symptoms with these immune system problems:

  • fever or chills
  • tiredness
  • weakness
  • headache
  • difficulty breathing
  • dizziness
  • low blood pressure
  • bruising or bleeding more easily than usual

What you can do

After receiving your Carvykti treatment, your healthcare team will monitor you daily for at least 7 days for serious immune system problems. You should remain near a healthcare facility for at least 2 weeks after you receive Carvykti.

During or after your Carvykti infusion, talk with your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of immune system problems. They’ll provide the next steps for treatment.

Brain and spinal cord (nervous system) problems

Nervous system problems have been reported with Carvykti. These problems range in severity from mild to serious. Mild problems, such as peripheral neuropathy (damage in the nerves of your arms, hands, legs, or feet), were more common in studies. Serious and even life threatening problems occurred less often. But serious problems can include:

You may experience the following symptoms with these nervous system problems:

  • seizure
  • memory loss
  • confusion
  • difficulty speaking or slurred speech
  • difficulty expressing how you feel
  • tingling, numbness, or pain in your hands or feet
  • difficulty with balance, walking, and movement

Most people who develop nervous system problems from receiving Carvykti also develop cytokine release syndrome (high levels of cytokines, a type of protein).

What you can do

After receiving your Carvykti treatment, your healthcare team will monitor you daily for at least 7 days for serious nervous system problems. You should remain near a healthcare facility for at least 2 weeks after you receive Carvykti.

It’s recommended that you avoid driving for at least 2 weeks after your Carvykti treatment. Because Carvykti can affect the brain and spinal cord, it may cause problems with memory, movement, and coordination.

You may not experience symptoms of nervous system problems until days, weeks, or even months after receiving Carvykti. Watch for symptoms of nervous system problems. If you experience any during or after your Carvykti treatment, alert your doctor right away.

Other blood cancers

Carvykti may cause you to develop other blood cancers. Specifically, studies of Carvykti reported some cases of:

These other blood cancers were reported, but rarely. Such cancers can develop within months of receiving Carvykti treatment or later.

Blood cancer symptoms may include:

  • fever or chills
  • tiredness
  • weakness
  • weight loss

What you can do

Your doctor will monitor you for signs and symptoms of other blood cancers during your Carvykti treatment. If you develop blood cancer symptoms at any time after receiving Carvykti, tell your doctor right away. You or your doctor should contact the manufacturer, Janssen Biotech, at 800-526-7736 to report this and determine next steps.

After Carvykti treatment, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects, they do not go away, or they become worse, talk with your doctor. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options. Your pharmacist may be able to provide guidance for mild side effects.

Fever

Fever was a common side effect reported in studies of Carvykti. The usual body temperature can vary from person to person, but it’s typically around 98.6°F (37°C).

Steps you can take to manage this side effect include:

  • taking over-the-counter medications that reduce fever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)
  • drinking plenty of liquids, such as water, to help prevent dehydration

If your fever is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, alert your doctor right away. If it seems life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911. Or call your local emergency number right away.

Your doctor will also take some steps to reduce your risk of fever. They’ll give you fever-reducing medications 30 to 60 minutes prior to your infusion.

Digestive problems

Digestive problems were common side effects reported in studies of Carvykti. Reported symptoms include:

Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include the following:

  • For nausea and vomiting: Eat small meals throughout the day.
  • For constipation: Add more foods rich in fiber to your meals.
  • For nausea, vomiting, and constipation: Drink an adequate amount of water by taking small sips throughout the day.

Consider the following important information before deciding whether to receive Carvykti.

Carvykti has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Boxed warnings for Carvykti” section.

Other precautions

Before receiving Carvykti, discuss your health history with your doctor. Carvykti may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.