What is Imlygic: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Imlygic

• A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital or cancer treatment center. This medicine is injected directly into your tumor.

• This medicine can spread to other parts of your body or to other people that you come in close contact with. Follow these instructions to help avoid spreading the medicine. Do not touch or scratch the treatment sites or dressings. Do not let other people touch the treatment site or dressings. Do not let your bodily fluids come in contact with other people. Cover the treatment sites with airtight and watertight dressings for at least 1 week after each treatment. Wear gloves when you put on or change your dressings. If the dressing comes loose or falls off, replace it with a new, clean dressing. Place all used dressings and cleaning materials in a sealed plastic bag, and throw them in the trash can.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

What to do if you miss a dose of Imlygic

Imlygic contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to talimogene laherparepvec, or if you are pregnant.

Imlygic warnings

• Injection routeIt is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

• This medicine contains a virus. Be careful that you do not infect other people. Be extra careful if you are around a pregnant woman, a baby, or a person who has a weak immune system (such as a person who has cancer, AIDS, or HIV).

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems or have ever had any other kind of cancer. Tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system or disease related to the immune system (including autoimmune disease, psoriasis, or vitiligo).

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Herpes infection (including cold sores)Delayed healing at the injection siteDiseases related to immune system problems, such as kidney problems, swelling of the blood vessels, breathing problems, skin damage

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Pain, burning, or tingling in a blister around your mouth or genitals or on your fingers or ears

• Pain, itching, burning, or swelling at the injection site

Imlygic interactions

• Some foods and medicines can affect how talimogene laherparepvec works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Medicine to treat herpes (including acyclovir, valacyclovir)Medicine that weakens the immune system (including a steroid)

• This medicine contains a virus. Be careful that you do not infect other people. Be extra careful if you are around a pregnant woman, a baby, or a person who has a weak immune system (such as a person who has cancer, AIDS, or HIV).

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems or have ever had any other kind of cancer. Tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system or disease related to the immune system (including autoimmune disease, psoriasis, or vitiligo).

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Herpes infection (including cold sores)Delayed healing at the injection siteDiseases related to immune system problems, such as kidney problems, swelling of the blood vessels, breathing problems, skin damage

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.