Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) is a brand-name infusion prescribed for multiple myeloma in certain adults. Abecma is not known to interact with other medications or supplements. But it can interact with certain lab tests and vaccines.

Abecma is prescribed for refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma in adults. For this use, Abecma is prescribed after you’ve tried previous medications for treating multiple myeloma that either didn’t work or stopped working.

An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected.

To learn more about Abecma’s interactions, keep reading. For additional information, including details about its uses, see this Abecma overview.

Boxed warnings

This drug has five boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS): CRS was a commonly reported side effect in studies of Abecma. CRS happens when your immune system responds too aggressively to factors such as infection or immunotherapy. (Immunotherapy works by stimulating your immune system, and Abecma is a type of immunotherapy.) CRS can cause a variety of symptoms, including inflammation and complications in other parts of your body, such as liver or kidney failure. General symptoms of CRS include fever, nausea, and headache. CRS can be life threatening and requires immediate treatment.

Due to this risk, a healthcare professional will monitor you for at least 7 days following your Abecma infusion at a hospital or healthcare facility certified to administer Abecma. As a condition of this certification, the hospital or facility must keep certain treatments on hand at all times if Abemca is used. If you develop symptoms of CRS at the facility, your healthcare team can immediately treat them. If you develop CRS symptoms after leaving the facility, immediately call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

Neurologic side effects: Neurologic side effects were common in studies of Abecma. “Neurologic” means the side effects affect your brain and nerves. Mild neurologic side effects Abecma may cause include headache, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Serious neurologic side effects are also possible with Abecma treatment, although they are rare. Examples of serious neurologic side effects reported with Abecma include seizures and encephalopathy (swelling and damage in the brain).

Due to this risk, a healthcare professional will monitor you for at least 7 days following your Abecma infusion at a hospital or other healthcare facility certified to administer Abecma. If you develop neurologic side effects at the facility, your healthcare team will be available to quickly treat them. After leaving the facility, you and your doctor should continue closely monitoring for neurologic side effects for at least 4 weeks. Immediately seek medical care if you develop neurologic side effect symptoms after leaving the certified health facility following your Abecma infusion.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (HLH/MAS): HLH/MAS was rarely reported in studies of Abecma. HLH/MAS is a condition that causes inflammation throughout your body due to overactivation of your immune system. HLH/MAS can lead to complications, including low blood pressure, kidney or other organ failure, and hypoxia.

HLH/MAS is a life threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. Because of this risk, a healthcare professional will monitor you for at least 7 days following your Abecma infusion at a hospital or other healthcare facility certified to administer Abecma. During this time, your healthcare team will be close by to immediately treat HLH/MAS, should you develop symptoms.

Long-term blood cell problems: Long-term blood cell problems were a common side effect reported in studies of Abecma. Long-term blood cell problems caused by Abecma include neutropenia (low neutrophil count, which are a type of white blood cell) or thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) lasting more than one month. These blood cell problems can increase your risk for infection and bleeding, among other complications. Due to this risk, your doctor will monitor your blood counts before and after your Abecma infusion. Your doctor may prescribe blood transfusions or other treatments to increase your blood cell counts.

T-cell cancers:T-cell (a type of immune cell) cancers have been reported rarely following treatment with Abecma. These cases typically happen a year or later following Abecma infusion, but can happen within weeks. These cancers can be life threatening. Because of this risk, you’ll need regular follow-ups with your doctor to monitor for T-cell cancers after you receive treatment with Abecma.

For more information about these warnings, talk with your doctor.

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Interactions with other medications weren’t reported in studies, according to Abecma’s manufacturer.

However, before you start treatment with Abecma, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions with Abecma that may be discovered later. (To learn whether Abecma interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Abecma and other interactions” section.)

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

There aren’t any known interactions between Abecma and alcohol. However, if you drink alcohol, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit consumption during Abecma treatment.

Drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some of Abecma’s side effects. For example, you may experience:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • sleepiness

If you consume alcohol during Abecma treatment, these side effects may be more likely to occur. If you have questions about drinking alcohol during Abecma treatment, talk with your doctor.

Abecma may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all possible interactions with Abecma.

Abecma interactions with supplements

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Abecma interactions with herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Abecma. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Abecma treatment.

Abecma interactions with vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Abecma. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Abecma.

Abecma interactions with food

There were no reports of food interactions with Abecma. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Abecma, talk with your doctor.

Abecma interactions with vaccines

Abecma may interact with live vaccines. A live vaccine contains live but weakened pieces of the virus or bacterium it’s meant to defend against. When your immune system is healthy, live vaccines usually won’t cause infection.

But Abecma works by weakening your immune system. So if you get a live vaccine, your immune system may not be able to fight the virus or bacterium. This may cause you to become sick or develop symptoms of the illness the vaccine is meant to prevent.

Examples of live vaccines to avoid during Abecma treatment include:

Before starting Abecma, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any vaccines you may need.

Abecma interactions with lab tests

Abecma may interfere with the results of certain lab tests used to check for HIV. Treatment with Abecma can cause a false-positive result on some tests, meaning the tests return a positive result for HIV when you don’t actually have the condition.

Because of this, be sure your doctor is aware that you’re receiving treatment with Abecma if you need a test to check for HIV. Your doctor can suggest a test that doesn’t interact with Abecma.

For additional information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ABECMA INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Abecma. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Abecma. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Abecma treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Abecma. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Abecma may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Abecma include:

  • Active infection or inflammatory condition: Doctors typically won’t prescribe Abecma if you have an active infection or an inflammatory condition. Having an active infection or inflammatory condition raises your risk for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) as a side effect of Abecma. Abecma has a boxed warning about the risk for CRS. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
  • Past or current hepatitis B: if you have hepatitis B or have had it in the past, treatment with Abecma may cause HBV reactivation. This can cause you to experience symptoms of HBV again, and symptoms may be severe. In addition, you may also be at higher risk for CRS as a side effect of Abecma. Abecma has a boxed warning about the risk for CRS. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
  • Hepatitis C: If you have hepatitis C, you may be at higher risk for CRS as a side effect of Abecma. Abecma has a boxed warning about the risk for CRS. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
  • HIV: If you have HIV, you may be at higher risk for CRS as a side effect of Abecma. Abecma has a boxed warning about the risk for CRS. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
  • Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Abecma or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Abecma. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
  • Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to receive Abecma while breastfeeding. There isn’t enough information to determine whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects Abecma may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Abecma. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed a child who is breastfed.
  • Pregnancy: There haven’t been enough clinical trials to determine whether Abecma is safe to receive while pregnant. But based on how Abecma works, it’s thought the drug may cause congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects) or pregnancy loss. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Abecma. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Abecma. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

  • Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
  • Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
  • Create a medication listTrusted Source, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Abecma label and other paperworkTrusted Source that may come with the drug. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.