Brentuximab vedotin is a targeted cancer medicine for certain lymphomas. You receive it as an intravenous (IV) infusion at a clinic or hospital. This guide explains key safety points, what cancers it treats, how it works, and common side effects to watch for.
Brand Name(s)
- United States: Adcetris
- Canada: Adcetris
Warning(s)
This medicine can cause serious, sometimes life‑threatening side effects. Read these warnings and talk with your care team about your risks.
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML): A rare but severe brain infection that can cause disability or death. Watch for confusion, memory problems, depression, behavior changes, new trouble speaking or thinking, weakness on one side, balance problems, or vision changes.
- Serious infections: You may get infections more easily, and some can be severe or deadly. Wash hands often and try to avoid people who are sick. Call your care team right away for fever, chills, cough, painful urination, mouth sores, or a wound that will not heal.
- Infusion reactions and allergic reactions: Reactions can happen during the infusion or within 24 hours. Symptoms include rash, hives, itching, wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, dizziness, or fainting. You may receive other medicines to lower this risk.
- Bleeding risk: Platelet counts can drop. You may bruise or bleed more easily. Be careful to avoid injury, use a soft toothbrush, and consider an electric razor.
- High blood sugar and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Some people develop new or worse high blood sugar. Signs include unusual thirst or hunger, frequent urination, sleepiness, confusion, fast breathing, flushing, or breath that smells fruity.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Numbness, tingling, burning pain, or weakness in your hands or feet may occur or worsen over time.
- Severe skin reactions (SJS/TEN): Can be life‑threatening. Look for red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, nose, throat, or eyes.
- Liver problems: Rare but sometimes deadly. Signs include dark urine, tiredness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, light‑colored stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Lung problems: New or worse cough or shortness of breath can happen, sometimes severely.
- Pancreatitis: Severe stomach or back pain, nausea, or vomiting could be signs of pancreas inflammation.
- Serious stomach or bowel problems: Bleeding, blockage, ulcers, swelling, or tears (perforation) have occurred. Seek help for black or bloody stools, severe constipation or diarrhea, severe stomach pain, belly swelling, or vomiting blood.
- Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): Rapid cancer cell breakdown can affect the heart and kidneys. Watch for fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, trouble passing urine, muscle cramps or weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or unusual fatigue.
- Drug interactions: Do not use brentuximab vedotin with bleomycin. Always tell your care team about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you take.
- Pregnancy and birth control: This drug may harm an unborn baby. You will have a pregnancy test before starting. Use effective birth control while on treatment and for several months after your last dose. Ask how long is right for you. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, contact your care team right away.
- Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed during treatment and for a period after the last dose. Ask your care team when it is safe to restart.
- Fertility: Fertility problems have been seen in animals. This may affect the ability to become pregnant or father a child.
- Older adults (65+): Side effects may be more common. Extra monitoring may be needed.
- Monitoring: You will have regular blood tests. Tell every healthcare provider, including dentists, that you are receiving this medicine.
- Before your first dose, tell your care team if you have allergies to this drug, kidney or liver disease, diabetes or high blood sugar, nerve problems, lung problems, or any current infection.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), including newly diagnosed advanced cases in combination with chemotherapy.
- cHL after an autologous stem cell transplant (as maintenance) or after prior therapies that did not work or stopped working.
- Systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL).
- Other CD30‑positive peripheral T‑cell lymphomas (PTCL), often with chemotherapy.
- Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) and CD30‑positive mycosis fungoides after prior systemic therapy.
Not all uses are listed here. Your care team will confirm if your lymphoma has CD30 and whether this drug is appropriate for you.
Mechanism of Action
Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody‑drug conjugate. The antibody part seeks out a protein called CD30 found on some lymphoma cells. After it binds, the cancer cell takes it inside.
Once inside the cell, the drug releases a chemotherapy payload called MMAE (vedotin). MMAE disrupts microtubules, which cancer cells need to divide and survive. This leads to cell death. Targeting CD30 helps deliver the drug more directly to cancer cells while limiting exposure to normal cells.
Common Side Effects
Not everyone gets all side effects. Many are mild to moderate and improve between cycles. Tell your care team about side effects that are severe, sudden, or do not go away.
- Tiredness, weakness, or dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, or decreased appetite
- Peripheral neuropathy: tingling, numbness, burning pain, or sensitivity in hands or feet
- Hair loss
- Back, bone, joint, or muscle pain; muscle spasms
- Dry skin or rash
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores
- Weight loss or night sweats
- Trouble sleeping or anxiety
- Cold‑like symptoms (for example, runny or stuffy nose)
Tips that may help: rest when tired, stay well hydrated, eat small frequent meals, protect hands and feet from extreme temperatures, and use gentle mouth and skin care. Ask your care team before taking any over‑the‑counter medicines or supplements.
Learn more about brentuximab vedotin on MedlinePlus
Last reviewed: 2025-12-15
