Pluvicto is a brand-name injectable solution that’s prescribed for metastatic prostate cancer in certain situations. Pluvicto contains the active ingredient lutetium-177 vipivotide tetraxetan.

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Pluvicto below.

Pluvicto is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Pluvicto can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while receiving Pluvicto. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Pluvicto, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Pluvicto, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Pluvicto. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Pluvicto’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Pluvicto can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Pluvicto aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

  • low levels of blood cells (including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) may include symptoms such as:
    • pale-looking skin
    • shortness of breath
    • fever or chills
    • bleeding or bruising more easily than usual
  • kidney damage, such as sudden kidney injury, may include symptoms such as:
    • difficulty urinating
    • loss of appetite
    • nausea and vomiting
ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Pluvicto can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep receiving the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Pluvicto, your doctor may recommend a different medication instead.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly given or recommended. However, your doctor will determine the best dosing to fit your needs.

Drug form and strength

Pluvicto comes as a liquid solution in single-use vials. It’s a type of radiopharmaceutical, which means it contains an active drug that gives off small amounts of radiation.

When prepared, each vial of Pluvicto contains 1,000 megabecquerel of radioactivity per milliliter (Mbq/mL) of solution. MBq is a unit used to measure the amount of radiation in the drug.

The radioactivity of Pluvicto decreases over time. A trained healthcare professional will measure the radiation right before giving the drug to ensure you receive the correct dose.

Each dose of Pluvicto is measured in Gigabecquerels (GBq). For reference, 1 GBq is equal to 1,000 MBq.

Dosage for metastatic prostate cancer

Pluvicto is prescribed to treat metastatic prostate cancer in certain situations.

The usual dose of Pluvicto for this use is 7.4 GBq. You’ll receive one dose every 6 weeks for up to six doses.

Your doctor may give you a different dosage depending on your side effects during treatment. If you have questions about the Pluvicto dosage that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

How Pluvicto is administered

A healthcare professional will administer Pluvicto as an intravenous (IV) injection or IV infusion. Pluvicto injections are typically given over 1 to 10 minutes, while infusions may be given over a longer period of time. Your doctor can tell you how long it may take to receive a Pluvicto infusion.

You’ll receive Pluvicto in a treatment facility that has been trained to handle radiopharmaceuticals.

If you have other questions about receiving Pluvicto, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website.

About receiving Pluvicto

Below you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

  • When to take: You’ll receive Pluvicto once every 6 weeks.
  • If you miss a dose: If you miss an appointment to receive Pluvicto, call the treatment center right away. They’ll help you reschedule the appointment.
  • Length of use: Pluvicto is not meant for use as a long-term treatment. It’s given for up to six doses.
  • Length of time to work: Pluvicto starts to work after your first dose. Your doctor will monitor your condition during treatment to check whether the drug is working.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Pluvicto to treat certain conditions. These conditions are sometimes referred to as the drug’s “indications.”

Pluvicto for metastatic prostate cancer

Pluvicto is approved to treat metastatic prostate cancer in adults in certain situations. With this condition, the cancer started in the prostate but has spread to other areas of the body.

For this use, the cancer must have all of the following characteristics:

You can learn more about metastatic prostate cancer by visiting our cancer hub.

Pluvicto and children

Pluvicto is not FDA-approved for use in children. It’s not known for sure whether the drug is safe or effective for children.

Pluvicto is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The manufacturer did not list any interactions in the drug’s prescribing information.

However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new drugs could be approved that interact with Pluvicto.

Before starting Pluvicto treatment, 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 take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

As with all medications, the cost of Pluvicto can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan and your location.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Pluvicto or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

A program called Novartis Patient Support is available for Pluvicto. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-638-7222 or visit the program website.

Generic version: Pluvicto is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Other drugs are available that can treat metastatic prostate cancer. For example, another radiopharmaceutical called Xofigo (radium-223 dichloride) is approved for this use. (Pluvicto is also a radiopharmaceutical.)

Some drugs may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Pluvicto, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, fertility, and breastfeeding.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” and “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Pluvicto and pregnancy

Pluvicto is not approved for use in females. It’s not known whether Pluvicto should be given during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before receiving this medication.

If you’re a male with a sexual partner who’s able to become pregnant, your doctor may suggest birth control options (such as condoms). You should use effective birth control during Pluvicto treatment and for at least 14 weeks after your final dose of the drug.

Pluvicto and fertility

Because of the way the drug works, Pluvicto may cause infertility (an inability to conceive) in males. This effect may be temporary or permanent.

Pluvicto is not approved for use in females. It isn’t known whether receiving Pluvicto may lead to infertility in females.

If you have questions about Pluvicto and fertility, talk with your doctor.

Pluvicto and breastfeeding

Pluvicto is not approved for use in females. It’s not known whether Pluvicto should be given while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before receiving this medication.

Pluvicto is given to treat metastatic prostate cancer in certain situations. For this use, the cancer must be prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive. This means a specific PET scan has shown the cancer cells have a protein called PSMA on their surface.

Pluvicto is a type of radiopharmaceutical, which means it contains an active drug that gives off small amounts of radiation. It works by attaching to PSMA proteins on cancer cells. Pluvicto is then absorbed into the cancer cells, where it releases radiation to kill them. In this way, Pluvicto works to stop the growth of prostate cancer.

If you have other questions about how Pluvicto works, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Pluvicto.

What is the life expectancy and success rate for Pluvicto treatment?

The life expectancy of a person who receives Pluvicto and the success rate of treatment can depend on many factors. (Life expectancy refers to the length of time a person may be expected to live. Success rate refers to how well a treatment works for a condition.)

In clinical trials, people who received Pluvicto lived about 4 months longer than those who received other prostate cancer treatments. However, your results with Pluvicto treatment may differ from those in clinical trials.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about how Pluvicto might work for your specific situation.

How does Pluvicto compare with Xofigo?

Pluvicto and Xofigo are both used to treat metastatic prostate cancer in certain situations. Below are a few ways these medications are alike and different.

Both Pluvicto and Xofigo are radiopharmaceuticals, meaning they contain active drugs that give off small amounts of radiation. Pluvicto contains lutetium-177, while Xofigo contains radium-223. Both drugs work by delivering radiation directly into prostate cancer cells.

However, Pluvicto targets a specific protein on the surface of prostate cancer cells. Xofigo targets cancer cells that have spread to the bones.

Your doctor will decide whether Pluvicto or Xofigo is the right treatment option for your condition. They can provide more information about how these medications compare and which one may be best for you.

Is Pluvicto the same as Lutathera?

Not exactly. Both Pluvicto and Lutathera are radiopharmaceuticals containing a form of lutetium-177 as an active drug. However, they have different uses. Pluvicto is used to treat metastatic prostate cancer in certain situations, while Lutathera is used for certain neuroendocrine tumors.

To learn more about how Pluvicto compares with Lutathera, talk with your doctor.

Can Pluvicto be received before chemotherapy?

No, not at this time. Pluvicto is currently approved to treat metastatic prostate cancer in certain situations. For this use, the cancer must have been treated with chemotherapy and an anti-androgen drug. (To learn more, see the “Pluvicto uses” section.)

A clinical trial called PSMAfore studied the use of Pluvicto before chemotherapy. However, more information is needed to decide if the results from this trial will change when Pluvicto is given.

If you have other questions about Pluvicto treatment, talk with your doctor.

Should I limit contact with other people after receiving a dose of Pluvicto?

Yes, you should temporarily limit close contact with certain people after each dose of Pluvicto.

Specifically, you should follow the precautions below after each dose:

  • keep at least 3 feet of distance between yourself and household members for 2 days and between yourself and children or pregnant people for 7 days
  • avoid sexual activity for 7 days
  • sleep in a separate bedroom from household members for 3 days, from children for 7 days, and from a pregnant person for 15 days

This is because Pluvicto is a type of radiopharmaceutical. It contains an active drug that gives off small amounts of radiation for a few weeks after treatment. This radiation may travel a short distance and affect people in close contact with you. It’s important to follow these precautions to protect others.

If you have questions about limiting contact after each dose of Pluvicto, talk with your doctor.

Before recieving Pluvicto, discuss your health history with your doctor. Pluvicto may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Pluvicto, see the “Pluvicto side effects” section.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.