Blinatumomab (brand name Blincyto) is an immune-based cancer medicine for certain leukemias. You get it by intravenous (IV) infusion, sometimes using a small pump. Read the safety information below and talk with your care team about any questions.
Brand Name(s)
- United States: Blincyto
- Canada: Blincyto
Warning(s)
This medicine has serious safety risks. Learn the symptoms below and call your care team right away if they happen.
- Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): This can be severe or life-threatening. Call right away for chills, fever, headache, dizziness, feeling very tired or weak, rash, face swelling, trouble breathing, wheezing, nausea, or vomiting.
- Nervous system problems: These can be severe and have been fatal in rare cases. Call right away for confusion, severe headache, loss of balance, fainting, seizures, slurred speech, trouble sleeping, or trouble with face movements, hearing, vision, or swallowing.
Call your care team now if you have any of these symptoms at any time:
- Signs of an allergic reaction: rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; wheezing; chest or throat tightness; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of infection: fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or a change in sputum color, pain when passing urine, mouth sores, or a wound that will not heal.
- Very bad or sudden changes in blood pressure: severe headache, dizziness, fainting, or vision changes.
- Mood or behavior changes: depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, unusual mood swings, or loss of interest in activities.
- Chest pain or pressure, an abnormal heartbeat, shortness of breath, or swelling.
- Shakiness, easy bruising or bleeding, severe tiredness or weakness, swollen glands, or extreme sleepiness.
- Flushing, dark urine, or yellow skin or eyes.
- Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): fast or abnormal heartbeat, fainting, trouble passing urine, muscle cramps or weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, or feeling sluggish.
- Pancreatitis: severe stomach or back pain, severe nausea or vomiting.
Other important safety reminders:
- Infections: You may get infections more easily, and some can be serious. Wash your hands often and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Call for any fever.
- Infusion reactions: Reactions can happen during the infusion or within 48 hours after. Tell your team about any new or worsening symptoms.
- Driving and alertness: This drug can cause dizziness, confusion, or sleepiness. Avoid driving or doing tasks that require alertness while on treatment.
- Vaccines: Ask your doctor before getting any vaccines. Some vaccines (especially live vaccines) should be avoided for a period before, during, and after treatment.
- Drug interactions: Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Do not start, stop, or change any medicine without checking first.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: This drug may harm an unborn baby. You will have a pregnancy test before starting. Use birth control while on treatment and for at least 48 hours after your last dose. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 48 hours after the last dose.
- Children and older adults: Side effect risks may be higher in children and adults 65 and older. In very small infants (under 11.9 lb/5.4 kg), certain infusions must not be used. Ask your care team.
- Infusion pump and line care: Keep the catheter and dressing clean and dry. Do not change pump settings. If the pump alarms or there is any problem with the line, call your nurse or doctor right away.
- Monitoring: You will need regular blood tests and check-ins to watch for side effects and to see how treatment is working.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- CD19-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults and children when the disease has returned (relapsed) or is hard to treat (refractory).
- CD19-positive B-cell precursor ALL in adults and children who are in remission but still have measurable residual disease (MRD-positive).
Your care team will confirm if your leukemia expresses CD19 and if this medicine is appropriate for you.
Mechanism of Action
Blinatumomab is a type of bispecific T-cell engager (often called a BiTE). It is an antibody-like protein that links your immune system’s T cells to leukemia cells.
- One end binds to CD19, a marker on B-cell leukemia cells.
- The other end binds to CD3 on T cells.
- By pulling T cells and leukemia cells together, it activates T cells to attack and kill the CD19-positive cells.
This rapid immune activation can cause powerful effects against cancer. It can also cause side effects like cytokine release syndrome and neurologic symptoms, especially early in treatment. That is why you are watched closely, often in a hospital at the start.
Common Side Effects
Many people have mild to moderate side effects. Some overlap with symptoms that also need urgent care, so report new or worsening problems right away.
- Pain in arms or legs; back, bone, joint, or muscle pain
- Headache
- Fever or chills
- Feeling tired or weak
- Upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores
- Weight gain
This is not a complete list of side effects. Tell your care team about any symptom that bothers you or does not go away.
Learn more on Medline about blinatumomab
Last reviewed: 2025-12-15
