How much can I buy Imfinzi?

Imfinzi is a PD-L1 inhibitor developed by the British company AstraZeneca. It is a humanized monoclonal antibody drug and is mainly used to treat a variety of cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, biliary tract cancer, etc.

How much can I buy Imfinzi?

The price and purchase channels of Imfinzi are the focus of patients’ attention. The following is an explanation from the aspects of listing status, medical insurance coverage and actual purchase cost to help patients better understand this drug.

Marketing and medical insurance status

Irvalumab was approved for marketing in China in December 2019. The original drug is currently produced by Abraxis BioScience in the United States and is packaged in a single box. Imrvalumab has not yet been included in China's medical insurance list, and patients need to bear the full cost.

How much can you buy

The price of the original drug is about US$664 per box. The specific cost fluctuates slightly due to exchange rates and purchase channels, and the price is for reference only. The price of generic drugs is usually 30%-50% of the original drug, and there is currently no specific price. Patients should purchase drugs through regular hospitals or pharmacies and avoid using drugs from unknown sources.

For patients who require long-term treatment, it is recommended to plan the medication cycle in advance and communicate the cost budget with the attending doctor. Some medical institutions may provide charity assistance projects to further reduce the financial burden.

How to use Imfinzi?

Imfinzi must be used by professional doctors. The following is the usage and dosage for patients to understand.

Recommended dose and adjustment

Durvalumab is an intravenous injection, and the dose needs to be adjusted according to the patient's weight and indications. For example, patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer who weigh ≥30kg need to be injected every 4 weeks, and pediatric patients who weigh <30kg are calculated as 20mg/kg. Please consult a professional doctor for details.

Preparation and infusion requirements

Before injection, durvalumab needs to be diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose to a concentration of 1-15mg/mL, and vigorous shaking should be avoided. The infusion time needs to be controlled within 60 minutes. If combined with tremelimumab treatment, tremelimumab should be infused first, and then durvalumab should be used.

The prepared durvalumab solution can be stored in a refrigerator for 28 days and must be used within 8 hours at room temperature.

Potential side effects of Imfinzi

The use of Imfinzi may cause a variety of adverse reactions, and patients need to understand common symptoms and monitor them.

Common adverse reactions

Adverse reactions vary among different indications. Patients with non-small cell lung cancer may experience anemia, neutropenia, and fatigue; patients with biliary tract cancer may experience fatigue, nausea, and rash; patients with hepatocellular carcinoma may experience rash, diarrhea, or muscle pain. Most symptoms are mild and can be relieved with symptomatic treatment.

Treatment of serious adverse reactions

If grade 3 or above immune-related side effects, such as pneumonia and colitis, occur, the drug must be discontinued immediately and seek medical treatment. If a severe allergic reaction occurs during infusion, treatment should be permanently discontinued. Liver function (AST, ALT) and thyroid function need to be closely monitored during treatment, and timely intervention is required when abnormalities occur.

It is recommended that patients record their physical reactions after each medication and conduct regular chest CT, electrocardiogram and other examinations. When persistent fever or unexplained pain occurs, you need to contact the attending doctor as soon as possible to adjust the treatment plan.