Kymriah is a brand-name prescription cell therapy. It’s FDA-approved to treat certain types of relapsed* or refractory* cancer.

Specifically, Kymriah can be used in:

Kymriah isn’t approved to treat primary central nervous system lymphoma. This type of cancer affects tissues in the spinal cord and brain.

For more information, see the “Kymriah uses” section below.

* “Relapsed” means the cancer has come back after previous treatment. “Refractory” means the cancer hasn’t gotten better after other treatments.
† Systemic therapy is a type of treatment that affects your whole body.

Drug details

Kymriah contains the active ingredient tisagenlecleucel. It’s a type of biologic treatment called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. CAR T-cell therapies are biologics because they’re made using living cells from your own immune system. Kymriah is made from T cells that are collected from your blood. T cells are a type of cell in your immune system. The cells are modified in a lab before being injected back into your body.

Kymriah is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time). The infusion usually takes under 1 hour.

Because of its risk of causing serious side effects, Kymriah is only given by a healthcare professional in a specialized facility. For more information, see the “How Kymriah is given” section below.

Effectiveness

For information about the effectiveness of Kymriah, see the “Kymriah uses” section below.

Kymriah contains the active ingredient tisagenlecleucel. Kymriah is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s a type of biologic treatment called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. CAR T-cell therapies are biologics because they’re made using living cells from your own immune system. Kymriah isn’t currently available in a biosimilar form.

Drugs made from chemicals can have generics, which are exact copies of the active drug in the brand-name medication. Biologics, on the other hand, can’t be copied exactly. So, instead of a generic, biologics have biosimilars. Biosimilars are “similar” to the parent drug, and they’re considered to be just as effective and safe.

Like generics, biosimilars usually cost less than brand-name medications.

Other therapies are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Kymriah, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label drug use is when a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is used for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Alternatives for ALL

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) include:

Alternatives for DLBCL

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat B-cell lymphomas such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) include:

  • antibody-drug combinations, such as:
    • polatuzumab vedotin (Polivy)
  • immunotherapy drugs, such as:
    • rituximab (Rituxan)
    • tafasitamab-cxix (Monjuvi)
  • chemotherapy drugs, such as:
    • carboplatin
    • cisplatin
    • cyclophosphamide
    • doxorubicin
    • gemcitabine (Infugem)
    • vincristine
  • axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta)
  • ibrutinib (Imbruvica)
  • lenalidomide (Revlimid)
  • selinexor (Xpovio)

You may wonder how Kymriah compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. To find out how Kymriah compares with Yescarta, see this article.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription therapies such as Kymriah to treat certain conditions.

Kymriah is a type of therapy called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.

Kymriah is FDA-approved to treat certain types of relapsed or refractory cancer. “Relapsed” means the cancer has come back after previous treatment. “Refractory” means the cancer hasn’t gotten better after other treatments.

You can learn more about cancer and its treatment options by visiting Medical News Today’s cancer hub.

Note: Kymriah isn’t approved to treat primary central nervous system lymphoma. This type of cancer affects tissues in the spinal cord and brain.

Kymriah for ALL

Kymriah is FDA-approved to treat B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children and in young adults ages 18 to 25 years. For this use, the cancer must be refractory or have already relapsed at least once in the past.

About ALL

ALL is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow (spongy tissue inside the bone).

B-cell precursor ALL is a fast-growing type of ALL that produces too many B cells (a type of white blood cell). An excess of B cells can crowd other healthy blood cells, such as red or certain white blood cells. Red blood cells help carry oxygen, while some white blood cells help fight infections. Having a lower number of these healthy blood cells could make you more tired or make your body weaker against infections.

Effectiveness for ALL

Kymriah has been found effective for treating B-cell precursor ALL. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s ALL treatment guidelines include Kymriah as a recommended treatment option.

For more information on how Kymriah performed in clinical studies, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Kymriah for DLBCL

Kymriah is FDA-approved to treat specific types of B-cell lymphoma in adults. These include:

To use Kymriah for these conditions, the cancer must have relapsed or have already been treated with at least two forms of systemic therapy in the past. Systemic therapy is a type of treatment that affects your whole body.

About DLBCL

DLBCL is a type of B-cell lymphoma. B-cell lymphoma is a cancer that’s caused by abnormal B cells (a type of white blood cell). Lymphomas are a type of cancer that affect the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a part of your immune system. It includes your lymph nodes and other tissues. B-cell lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Effectiveness for DLBCL

Kymriah has been found effective for treating DLBCL and the other types of B-cell lymphomas described above. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s DLBCL treatment guidelines include Kymriah as a recommended treatment option.

For more information on how Kymriah performed in clinical studies, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Kymriah and children

Kymriah is FDA-approved to treat B-cell precursor ALL in children of any age.

For more information, see the “Kymriah for ALL” section above.

To learn how well Kymriah worked for children in clinical studies, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Two to 14 days before you receive your infusion of Kymriah, you’ll be given a type of chemotherapy called lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a drug that kills rapidly growing cells in your body, such as cancer cells. Lymphodepleting chemotherapy helps prepare your body for your Kymriah infusion. It also helps Kymriah be more effective for treating your condition. In most cases, the two chemotherapy drugs you’ll receive are fludarabine and cyclophosphamide.

Then, about 1 hour before your Kymriah infusion, you’ll also be given acetaminophen (Tylenol) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). These drugs will help lower your risk for side effects from the infusion.

If you have questions about using other medications with Kymriah, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

As with all medications, the cost of Kymriah can vary.

The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Before approving coverage for Kymriah, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the therapy. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the therapy will be covered.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Kymriah, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Kymriah, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, the manufacturer of Kymriah, offers a program called Kymriah Cares. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-4KYMRIAH (844-459-6742) or visit the program website.

Generic version

Kymriah contains the active ingredient tisagenlecleucel. It’s a type of biologic treatment called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. CAR T-cell therapies are biologics because they’re made using living cells from your own immune system. Kymriah isn’t currently available in a biosimilar form.

Drugs made from chemicals can have generics, which are exact copies of the active drug in the brand-name medication. Biologics, on the other hand, can’t be copied exactly. So, instead of a generic, biologics have biosimilars. Biosimilars are “similar” to the parent drug, and they’re considered to be just as effective and safe.

Like generics, biosimilars usually cost less than brand-name medications.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Kymriah.

Is Kymriah used for follicular lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or CLL?

Kymriah isn’t currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat follicular lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). But if your doctor says it’s safe, they may prescribe Kymriah off-label to treat these conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is used for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

If you have questions about using Kymriah for follicular lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or CLL, talk with your doctor.

Kymriah is currently only approved to treat B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and certain forms of B-cell lymphoma. These include:

For more information about the conditions Kymriah is approved to treat, see the “Kymriah uses” section above.

What’s the success rate of using Kymriah?

Kymriah is approved to treat B-cell precursor ALL and certain forms of B-cell lymphoma. It’s been shown as effective for treating these forms of cancer.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s ALL and DLBCL treatment guidelines include Kymriah as a recommended treatment option.

For more information on how Kymriah performed in clinical studies, see the drug’s prescribing information.

What is a REMS program, and why does Kymriah have one?

Because of its risk of causing serious side effects, Kymriah is only given by a healthcare professional in a specialized facility. These facilities have been certified by a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program, which was created by the FDA.

The REMS program helps make sure that your doctor understands the instructions for use and storage of Kymriah. It also helps make sure that Kymriah is used safely and is given by a trained healthcare professional.

If you have questions about Kymriah and REMS, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How is Kymriah made?

Kymriah is a type of therapy called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. It’s made from your own T cells (a type of cell in your immune system).

Your doctor will use a process called leukapheresis to collect the T cells from your blood. They’ll place a tube into your vein to draw your blood. This process usually takes 3 to 6 hours. Your doctor may need to repeat the process to collect more of your blood.

After your blood is collected, it’s frozen and sent to a lab. The lab then modifies the T cells in your blood with a special protein called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). It may take 3 to 4 weeks for the lab to modify your cells and send them back to your doctor.

Then, the modified CAR T cells are given to you through an intravenous (IV) line during an infusion.

What is Kymriah ‘manufacturing failure,’ and what should I do if it happens?

Kymriah is a type of therapy called CAR T-cell therapy. It’s made from T cells (a type of cell in your immune system) that are collected from your blood. For details, see “How is Kymriah made?” just above.

In some cases, the lab making your Kymriah infusion may not be able to properly prepare Kymriah for your infusion. If this happens, your doctor may collect more of your T cells to send to the lab for another try.

While you wait for your Kymriah infusion to be made, your doctor may give you other cancer treatments.

If you have questions about what to expect with the Kymriah manufacturing process, talk with your doctor.

Do I need to avoid anything after I’ve received Kymriah?

Yes, there are a few things you should avoid after you’ve received your Kymriah infusion.

For example, in the 8 weeks after your Kymriah infusion, you shouldn’t perform activities that require you to be alert. This includes driving or operating heavy machinery. You should avoid these activities because Kymriah may cause neurological toxicity* (damage to the nervous system). This side effect can also affect your coordination and memory.

You also should avoid donating tissues, cells, organs, or blood until your doctor says it’s safe to do so. Your blood and organs may contain either cancerous cells or CAR T cells. These cells could attack healthy cells in the person receiving your donation. They could also cause serious side effects such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS)* in the recipient.

For more information about neurological toxicity and CRS, see the “Kymriah side effects” section below.

* Kymriah has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the strongest warning required by the FDA. For details, see “Side effect details” in the “Kymriah side effects” section below.

Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Therapy forms

Kymriah is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time). The infusion usually takes under 1 hour.

Kymriah is a type of cell therapy called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. It’s made from T cells (a type of cell in your immune system) that are collected from your blood. Your cells are sent to a lab, where they’re modified with a protein called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Then, the modified CAR T cells are infused back into your body.

Dosage for ALL and DLBCL

When used for B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Kymriah is given as a one-time infusion.

Your dosage of Kymriah will be based on the condition it’s being used to treat and your body weight in kilograms.

Children’s dosage

Kymriah is approved to treat ALL in children and in young adults ages 18 to 25 years.

The dosage of Kymriah for children is the same as the dosage used for ALL in adults.

For more information, see the “Dosage for ALL and DLBCL” section directly above.

What if I miss a dose?

It’s important that you don’t miss your Kymriah infusion appointment. If you miss your appointment, call your doctor’s office right away to reschedule.

To help make sure that you don’t miss an appointment, try setting a reminder on your phone.

Will I need to use this treatment long term?

No, Kymriah isn’t meant to be used as a long-term treatment. Kymriah is only given as a one-time dose.

Kymriah is approved to treat the following types of cancer:

Kymriah is used to treat these conditions in certain situations. For more information, see the “Kymriah uses” section above.

What Kymriah does

Rapidly growing abnormal B cells can cause precursor B-cell ALL and B-cell lymphomas. B cells are a type of white blood cell.

Kymriah works* by attaching directly to a protein called CD19, which is present on B cells. By attaching to CD19, Kymriah activates your immune system. This helps your immune system attack cancer cells.

For a more detailed explanation, watch this video on the manufacturer’s website.

* The way a drug works in your body is called its mechanism of action.

How long does it take to work?

Kymriah starts working in your body as soon as your infusion starts. But it may take several weeks before you notice reduced symptoms.

If you have questions about what to expect with Kymriah treatment, talk with your doctor.

Kymriah can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur during or after your Kymriah infusion. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Kymriah, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of treatments it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Kymriah, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects* of Kymriah can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Kymriah. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view Kymriah’s medication guide..

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Kymriah aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.
Kymriah has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the strongest warning required by the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
‡ Cytokines are proteins that help the immune system work correctly.

Side effects in children

Kymriah is approved to treat B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children of any age.

The side effects of Kymriah in children are expected to be the same as for adults. For more information, see “Mild side effects” and “Serious side effects” above.

Side effect details

Here’s some detail on certain side effects this therapy may cause.

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS)

Kymriah may cause cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Kymriah has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

CRS was one of the most common side effects in clinical studies of Kymriah. It happens when the cells in the immune system rapidly produce a large number of cytokines and release them into the blood. Cytokines are proteins that help the immune system work correctly. But having too many cytokines can make your immune system overactive. This can be life threatening for some people.

Symptoms of CRS can include:

For at least 4 weeks after treatment, you’ll need to stay within a 2-hour driving distance of the infusion facility. This allows your doctor to monitor you for serious side effects, such as CRS.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of CRS during or after your Kymriah infusion. If you have CRS, your doctor will treat your condition right away.

Neurological toxicity

Kymriah may cause neurological toxicity (damage to the nervous system). The nervous system includes the nerve cells and brain. This was a common side effect in clinical studies of Kymriah.

Neurological toxicity from Kymriah can be life threatening. In fact, Kymriah has a boxed warning for this side effect.

Neurological toxicity can cause other symptoms and conditions, including:

Because neurological toxicity can affect coordination and memory, in the 8 weeks after your Kymriah infusion, you shouldn’t perform activities that require you to be alert. This includes driving or operating heavy machinery.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of neurological toxicity during or after your Kymriah infusion.

Infections

Serious infections were common in clinical studies of Kymriah. Serious infections from Kymriah can be life threatening if they aren’t treated.

Serious infections from Kymriah may be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. But the exact infections that occurred in studies of Kymriah aren’t known. Symptoms of serious infections can include:

  • fatigue (lack of energy)
  • chills or body aches
  • fever
  • sepsis (a serious response to infection that can cause organ damage and death)

Your risk for getting serious infections from Kymriah is higher if you develop other side effects, such as low levels of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell). Your doctor will likely check your white blood cell counts after your Kymriah infusion.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any symptoms of serious infections during or after your Kymriah infusion. They’ll also monitor you for signs of infection after your Kymriah treatment.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after receiving Kymriah.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Kymriah, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Kymriah is given by a healthcare professional as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time). The infusion usually takes under 1 hour.

Kymriah is a type of therapy called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. It’s made from T cells (a type of cell in your immune system) that are collected from your blood. Your cells are sent to a lab, where they’re modified with a protein called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Then, the modified CAR T cells are injected into your body through an IV infusion.

Because of its risk of serious side effects, Kymriah is only given by a healthcare professional in a specialized facility. These facilities have been certified by a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program, which was created by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The REMS program helps make sure that your doctor understands the instructions for use and storage of Kymriah. It also helps make sure that Kymriah is used safely and is given by a trained healthcare professional.

For at least 4 weeks after receiving your infusion, you’ll need to stay within a 2-hour driving distance of the infusion facility. This allows your doctor to watch you closely for serious side effects from Kymriah. For more information, see the “Kymriah side effects” section above.

When it’s given

Kymriah is given as a one-time dose by a healthcare professional in a specialized clinic. Your doctor will set up an appointment for you to receive your Kymriah infusion.

To help make sure that you don’t miss your appointment, try setting a reminder on your phone.

This therapy comes with several precautions.

FDA warnings

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

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Kymriah may cause CRS. CRS happens when cells in the immune system rapidly produce a large number of cytokines and release them into the blood. (Cytokines are proteins that help the immune system work correctly.) CRS can cause symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and fever. For some people, this condition can be life threatening. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of CRS during or after your Kymriah infusion. They’ll start treatments for this condition right away.

Neurological toxicity. Kymriah may cause neurological toxicity (damage to the nervous system, which includes the nerve cells and brain). This can lead to confusion, trouble speaking, and encephalopathy (brain damage). This side effect can be life threatening for some people. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any symptoms of neurological toxicity during or after your Kymriah infusion.

Other precautions

Before receiving Kymriah, talk with your doctor about your health history. Kymriah may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Active infection. Kymriah can activate your immune system and cause it to become overactive. So, if you have an active infection, your body may not be able to fight the infection after you receive the Kymriah infusion. Kymriah can also cause serious infections, which may worsen your condition. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have an active infection before receiving your Kymriah infusion. They may wait until your infection clears up before giving you the therapy.
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Kymriah may reactivate HBV in people who’ve had the virus before. Before receiving Kymriah, tell your doctor if you’ve had HBV.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Kymriah or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t receive a Kymriah infusion. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
  • Pregnancy. It may not be safe to receive Kymriah while pregnant. For more information, see the “Kymriah and pregnancy” section below.
  • Breastfeeding. It isn’t known if it’s safe to receive a Kymriah infusion while breastfeeding. For more information, see the “Kymriah and breastfeeding” section below.

There are no known contraindications for Kymriah. (A contraindication is a condition that may make it unsafe to take a specific drug.)

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Kymriah, see the “Kymriah side effects” section above.

There isn’t a known interaction between Kymriah and alcohol. But the American Cancer Society recommends that some people receiving cancer treatments should avoid drinking alcohol. This is because alcohol might increase the risk of certain cancers coming back. Alcohol may also worsen side effects of certain cancer treatments.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, is safe for you to drink during your Kymriah treatment.

Kymriah isn’t known to interact with other medications, supplements, or foods. But the drug may affect the results of certain lab tests. You may also need to avoid getting certain vaccines before or after receiving the Kymriah infusion. See below to learn more.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Kymriah and other medications

There aren’t any known interactions between Kymriah and other medications. The manufacturer of Kymriah didn’t look at interactions during clinical studies of the therapy. But this doesn’t mean interactions with Kymriah can’t happen.

Before receiving Kymriah, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

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

Kymriah and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Kymriah. But you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while receiving Kymriah.

Kymriah and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Kymriah. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Kymriah, talk with your doctor.

Kymriah and lab tests

Kymriah can cause false positive results for certain HIV tests, such as HIV RNA tests. (A false positive result happens when the test shows that HIV is present even though the person who was tested doesn’t actually have HIV.)

Before taking an HIV test, make sure your doctor knows you’ve recently received the Kymriah infusion. They may give you a different type of HIV test to help prevent false positive results.

Kymriah and vaccines

Kymriah hasn’t been studied with live vaccines, so it isn’t known if Kymriah can interact with them.

Live vaccines are made from a weakened form of the bacteria or viruses the vaccines protect against. Your immune system may be weaker than normal while you’re using Kymriah. This increases your risk for getting an infection from a live vaccine.

To be safe, you should avoid getting a live vaccine in the 6 weeks before starting your chemotherapy drugs to prepare for the Kymriah infusion. (For more information about the chemotherapy you’ll receive, see the “Kymriah use with other drugs” section above.)

After your infusion, you shouldn’t get a live vaccine until your doctor says it’s safe to do so.

Examples of live vaccines include:

The manufacturer of Kymriah hasn’t provided recommendations for non-live (inactive) vaccines. These vaccines aren’t made from live forms of bacteria or viruses.

Before you start Kymriah, talk with your doctor about whether you’re due to get any vaccines. They’ll recommend the best time for you to get the vaccines you need before you start Kymriah.

You shouldn’t receive Kymriah during pregnancy. The therapy hasn’t been studied in pregnancy. But based on the way Kymriah works in the body, it has the potential to cause harm to a fetus.

If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor will give you a pregnancy test before you receive Kymriah. This will help them confirm that you aren’t pregnant before receiving the therapy.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon after receiving Kymriah, tell your doctor before your infusion. They’ll likely recommend a different treatment for your condition.

You shouldn’t receive Kymriah while pregnant. If you’re sexually active and able to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs before receiving Kymriah.

For more information about receiving Kymriah during pregnancy, see the “Kymriah and pregnancy” section above.

It isn’t known if Kymriah is safe to use while breastfeeding. There haven’t been studies to see if Kymriah passes into breast milk. So, it isn’t known if Kymriah could have effects on a breastfed child.

If you have questions about receiving Kymriah while breastfeeding, talk with your doctor.

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.