List of Drugs to Treat Multiple Myeloma: Check Availability in Pakistan

Multiple Myeloma is a plasma cell dyscrasia. It is characterized by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells. Malignant plasma cells proliferate unchecked and produce an abundance of immunoglobulins.

The most commonly produced immunoglobulins are:

  • Ig G
  • Ig A
  • Ig M
  • Ig E
  • Ig D

In addition, light chains (Kappa, Lambda, and Mu) and heavy chains are also produced.

Symptoms of multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. Symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary depending on the stage of the disease and the extent of bone involvement. Some common symptoms of multiple myeloma include:

Bone pain: This is one of the most common symptoms of multiple myeloma and can occur in any bone, but is most commonly felt in the back, ribs, and skull.

Fatigue: Constant tiredness or weakness is a common symptom of multiple myeloma.

Anemia: Reduced production of red blood cells can cause anemia and symptoms such as shortness of breath, pale skin, and fatigue.

Loss of appetite and weight loss

Frequent infections: Due to the abnormal growth of plasma cells, the immune system can be impaired.

Kidney problems: Multiple myeloma can cause damage to the kidneys leading to symptoms such as blood in the urine, foamy urine, and swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet.

Hypercalcemia: High levels of calcium in the blood can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and confusion.

Numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes

It's important to note that these symptoms can be caused by other conditions as well, so it's always best to consult with a healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of these symptoms to determine the underlying cause.

Summary of symptoms of multiple myeloma:

Patients with multiple myeloma may present with features of bone marrow suppression, renal failure, bony pains, and frequent infections. The classic mnemonic to remember the clinical features of multiple myeloma is "CRAB" which stands for Hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, and bony pains.

Drugs to treat Multiple Myeloma:

Drugs that are used to treat multiple myeloma primarily target proliferating plasma cells. However, other supportive drugs are frequently needed by patients including antimicrobials, bisphosphonates, and corticosteroids.

Here is a list of the latest approved drugs used to treat patients with multiple myeloma:

Multiple Myeloma Drugs approved in 2022

Date of Approval

Generic Name

Brand Name

February 28, 2022 [ref]

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel

Carvykti

October 25, 2022 [ref]

Teclistamab

Tecvayli

Drugs approved in 2021

Date of Approval

Generic Name

Brand Name

March 27, 2021 [ref]

Idecabtagene vicleucel

Abecma

March 31, 2021 [ref]

Isatuximab

Sarclisa

Drugs approved in 2020

Date of Approval

Generic Name

Brand Name

December 18, 2020 [ref]

Selinexor

Xpovio

August 5, 2020 [ref]

Belantamab mafodotin

BLENREP

August 20, 2020 [ref] 

Carfilzomib

Kyprolis

Here is a list of all the drugs used to treat multiple myeloma and their availability in Pakistan:

 

Chemotherapeutic Drugs to treat Multiple Myeloma

Generic Name

Brand Name

Availability in Pakistan

Melphalan

Alkeran, Evomela

Available

Doxorubicin

Adriamycin, Doxil, Myocet

Available

Vincristine

Marqibo, Vincasar

Available

Bortezomib

Velcade

Available

Carfilzomib

Kyprolis

Available

Carmustine

Bicnu, Gliadel

Available

Ixazomib

Ninlaro

Not Available

Panobinostat

Farydak

Not Available

Corticosteroids

Generic Name

Brand Name

Availability in Pakistan

Prednisone

Deltasone, Rayos, Winpred

Available

Dexamethasone

Baycadron, Decadron, Ciprodex, Dexamethasone Intensol, Dioptrol, Hexadrol, Dextenza, Maxidex, Neofordex, Taperdex 12 Day Taper, Tobradex

Available

Monoclonal Antibodies

Generic Name

Brand Name

Availability in Pakistan

Denosumab

Prolia, Xgeva

Available

Daratumumab

Darzalex, Darzalex Faspro

Available

Elotuzumab

Empliciti

Available

Isatuximab

Sarclisa

Not Available

Interferon

Generic Name

Brand Name

Availability in Pakistan

Interferon alfa-2B

Intron A

Available

Immunosuppressants

Generic Name

Brand Name

Availability in Pakistan

Thalidomide

Thalomid

Available

Lenalidomide

Revlimid

Available

Pomalidomide

Imnovid, Pomalyst

Available

Anti-BCMA Antibodies

Generic Name

Brand name

Availability in Pakistan

Belantamab mafodotin

BLENREP

Not Available

Teclistamab

Tecvayli

Not Available

CAR T-Cell Therapies

Generic Name

Brand name

Availability in Pakistan

Idecabtagene vicleucel

 

Abecma

Available

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel

Carvykti

Not Available

Selective Inhibitors of Nuclear Export

Generic Name

Brand name

Availability in Pakistan

Selinexor

Xpovio

Available

Bisphosphonates

Generic Name

Brand name

Availability in Pakistan

Pamidronate

Aredia, Pamisol

Not Available

Zoledronic acid

Aclasta, Reclast, Zometa

Available

Colony Stimulating Factors

Generic Name

Brand name

Availability in Pakistan

Epoetin alfa

Abseamed, Epoetin Alfa Hexal, Epogen, Eporatio, Epprex, Eprex, Procrit, Retacrit, Silapo

Available

To check availability of any of the drugs for Multiple Myeloma in Pakistan, click on the link here: https://wa.me/message/HV6M3JGTA6RJB1