Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx*) is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. Elahere comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over time).
Elahere is used in adults to treat certain forms of:
Your doctor may prescribe Elahere if you’ve already tried up to three systemic (whole-body) treatments that haven’t been effective for your cancer.
To learn more about Elahere’s uses, see the “What is Elahere used for?” section below.
Elahere basics
Elahere contains the active ingredient† mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx, which is a biologic drug. (A biologic is made from parts of living organisms.)
Elahere is not available in a biosimilar form. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.) Instead, mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx comes only as the brand-name drug Elahere.
* The reason “-gynx” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.
† An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
Elahere is used in adults to treat three types of cancer. These include:
Epithelial ovarian cancer. This kind of cancer occurs in the outer lining of the ovaries.
Fallopian tube cancer. This cancer grows in the fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus.
Primary peritoneal cancer. This type of cancer occurs on the inside of the abdomen. The cancer is considered “primary” when it started in the peritoneum.
Elahere is approved to treat these cancers in certain situations. Specifically, the cancer must fit the following criteria:
- It must be folate receptor-alpha (FRalpha) positive. FRalpha is a kind of protein. Your doctor will test your cancer for this protein to find out whether Elahere may be a good treatment option for you.
- It must not have responded to up to three systemic (whole-body) treatments.
- It must not have responded or has come back after treatment with a platinum-based chemotherapy drug. (Chemotherapy drugs are traditional drugs used to treat cancer.)
Elahere works by attaching itself to the cancer cells in your body and stopping them from growing and multiplying.
Note: In 2022, Elahere received
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Elahere. What you’ll pay for Elahere may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A patient assistance program may also be available.
You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.
Like most drugs, Elahere may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Elahere may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Elahere. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.
Mild side effects
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Elahere can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read Elahere’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Elahere that have been reported include:
- fatigue (low energy)
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- constipation
- dry eye
- mild allergic reaction*
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Elahere can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Elahere, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Elahere that have been reported include:
- peripheral neuropathy (a type of nerve damage)
- low magnesium blood level
- low hemoglobin level
- lung problems, such as pneumonitis (inflammation of the air sacs in your lungs)
- ascites (fluid buildup in your abdomen)
- blockage of the intestines
- elevated liver enzymes, which may indicate liver damage
- low level of certain white blood cells
boxed warning : risk of serious eye problems *- severe allergic reaction†
* For more information, see the “What should be considered before starting Elahere?” section.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.
Allergic reactionSome people may have an allergic reaction to Elahere.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Elahere. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Elahere that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but the dosage you receive will be determined by your doctor.
Form and strength
Elahere comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. (An IV infusion is an injection into a vein over a period of time.)
Elahere comes in vials that each contains 100 milligrams (mg) of medication. Your doctor or nurse will determine the best dose of Elahere for you and how many vials of Elahere you may need.
Recommended dosage
You’ll receive a dose of Elahere once every 3 weeks. You’ll likely continue Elahere treatment long term unless you have serious side effects or the drug stops working for you.
To learn more about Elahere’s dosage, see this article.
How it’s given
Your doctor will explain how Elahere will be given to you. They’ll also explain how much you’ll be given and how often.
You’ll receive Elahere infusions in a doctor’s office, hospital, or infusion center.
Before you receive your dose of Elahere, your doctor may have you take certain medications to help prevent side effects of Elahere. Examples of these medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol), prednisone, and diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
Questions about Elahere’s dosing
Below are some common questions about Elahere’s dosing.
- What if I miss a dose of Elahere? If you miss your appointment to receive your dose of Elahere, call your doctor’s office right away to reschedule. They can determine when you should receive your missed infusion.
- How long does Elahere take to work? Elahere begins to work as soon as you receive your first dose. But because of how the drug works, it’s unlikely that you’ll feel it working in your body. Throughout your treatment, your doctor will monitor your cancer to find out whether the drug is working for you.
- Should I have Elahere with food? Elahere is given as an infusion, and you can receive your dose with or without food. Some people may experience nausea from Elahere. Your doctor can help determine when you should eat to help prevent this side effect.
Below is important information you should consider before receiving Elahere.
Interactions
Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.
Elahere can interact with several other medications.
Before starting Elahere, 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.
Drug interactions
Below is a list of medications that can interact with Elahere. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Elahere. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples |
| certain antifungal drugs | • ketoconazole • itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura) |
| certain HIV medications | • cobicistat (Tybost) • lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra) |
| the antibiotic drug clarithromycin | – |
Elahere and alcohol
There is no known interaction between Elahere and alcohol. However, you may have a higher risk of certain side effects if you drink alcohol during your Elahere treatment. For example, both Elahere and alcohol can cause:
- nausea
- fatigue (low energy)
- elevated liver enzymes
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe to drink during your Elahere treatment.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Elahere is not safe to receive during pregnancy. The drug may cause harm to a fetus. Because of this risk, if you can become pregnant, your doctor will give you a pregnancy test before you start Elahere treatment.
It’s not known whether Elahere may pass into breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who’s breastfed. But due to the possible risks, receiving Elahere while breastfeeding is not recommended. You should also not breastfeed for at least 1 month after receiving your last dose of Elahere.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your options.
Birth control
Elahere is not safe to receive during pregnancy. If you can become pregnant, you’ll need to use birth control during your Elahere treatment and for at least 7 months after receiving your last dose.
If you have questions, talk with your doctor before starting Elahere treatment.
Boxed warning
Elahere has a
Eye problems are a common side effect of Elahere. In some cases, these eye problems may be severe. Because of this, it’s important to monitor your vision while you’re receiving Elahere. If you notice any changes in your vision or other eye problems, contact your doctor right away. Symptoms to be aware of include:
- eye pain
- blurry vision
- dry eye
- light sensitivity
- worsening vision
Due to the risk of serious eye problems, your doctor will recommend that you visit an eye doctor before and during your Elahere treatment. This is important to help monitor your vision and check for any symptoms of eye problems.
They’ll likely check your eyes at least once every 6 weeks for the first 6 months of treatment. You should also have an eye exam done if you notice any changes in your eyes or vision during your Elahere treatment.
In addition, your doctor will likely recommend steroid eye drops and lubricating eye drops to use during your Elahere treatment. These can help prevent eye problems from Elahere.
Before receiving Elahere, it’s important to tell your doctor about any eye or vision problems you currently have. They can determine whether Elahere is safe for you.
Other warnings
Elahere can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Elahere is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you begin Elahere treatment. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- liver problems
- past allergic reaction to Elahere or any of its ingredients
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Elahere, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.
The following drugs are similar to Elahere:
If you have questions about Elahere, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Questions you may want to ask include:
- Can you adjust my dose of Elahere if I develop side effects during treatment?
- If Elahere isn’t working for me, can you increase my dose?
- What should I do if I become pregnant while receiving Elahere?
- How can I treat side effects that I experience from Elahere?
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.
