Ramucirumab
Also sold as: Cyramza
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Ramucirumab is a VEGFR2 antagonist that specifically binds VEGFR2 and blocks binding of VEGFR ligands, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D. As a result, ramucirumab inhibits ligand-stimulated activation of VEGFR2, thereby inhibiting ligand-induced proliferation, and migration of human endothelial cells. Ramucirumab inhibited angiogenesis in an in vivo animal model.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE CYRAMZA ® is a human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) antagonist indicated: as a single agent or in combination with paclitaxel, for treatment of adults with advanced or metastatic gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma with disease progression on or after prior fluoropyrimidine- or platinum-containing chemotherapy. ( 1.1 ) in combination with erlotinib, for first-line treatment of adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) mutations. ( 1.2 ) in combination with docetaxel, for treatment of adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving CYRAMZA. ( 1.2 ) in combination with FOLFIRI, for the treatment of adults with metastatic colorectal cancer with disease progression on or after prior therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin, and a fluoropyrimidine. ( 1.3 ) as a single agent, for the treatment of adults with hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who have an alpha fetoprotein of ≥400 ng/mL and have been treated with sorafenib. ( 1.4 ) 1.1 Gastric Cancer CYRAMZA ® , as a single agent or in combination with paclitaxel, is indicated for the treatment of adults with advanced or metastatic, gastric or gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma with disease progression on or after prior fluoropyrimidine- or platinum-containing chemotherapy. 1.2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer CYRAMZA, in combination with erlotinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations. CYRAMZA, in combination with docetaxel, is indicated for the treatment of adults with
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For intravenous infusion only. Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus. ( 2.7 ) Premedicate before each infusion. ( 2.1 ) Gastric Cancer : Administer CYRAMZA 8 mg/kg every 2 weeks as a single agent or in combination with weekly paclitaxel. ( 2.2 ) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer : Administer CYRAMZA 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks with daily erlotinib. ( 2.3 ) Administer CYRAMZA 10 mg/kg on Day 1 of a 21-day cycle prior to docetaxel. ( 2.3 ) Colorectal Cancer : Administer CYRAMZA 8 mg/kg every 2 weeks prior to FOLFIRI. ( 2.4 ) Hepatocellular Carcinoma : Administer CYRAMZA 8 mg/kg every 2 weeks. ( 2.5 ) 2.1 Premedication Prior to each CYRAMZA infusion, premedicate all patients with an intravenous histamine-1 receptor antagonist (e.g., diphenhydramine hydrochloride) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] . For patients who have experienced a Grade 1 or 2 IRR, premedicate with a histamine-1 receptor antagonist, dexamethasone (or equivalent), and acetaminophen prior to each CYRAMZA infusion [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.6 )] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Gastric Cancer The recommended dosage of CYRAMZA, either as a single agent or in combination with weekly paclitaxel, is 8 mg/kg every 2 weeks administered by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes. If the first infusion is tolerated, all subsequent CYRAMZA infusions may be administered over 30 minutes. Continue CYRAMZA until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. When given in combination with paclitaxel, administer CYRAMZA prior to administration of paclitaxel. Refer to the prescribing information for paclitaxel for dosage information. 2.3 Recommended Dosage for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer EGFR Exon 19 Deletions or Exon 21 (L858R) Substitution Mutations – CYRAMZA in Combination with Erlotinib The recommended dosage of CYRAMZA is 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks administered by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes. If the first infusion is tolerated, all subsequent CYRAMZA infusions may be administered over 30 minutes. Continue CYRAMZA until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Refer to the prescribing information for erlotinib for dosage information. Disease Progression On Or After Platinum-based Chemotherapy – CYRAMZA in Combination with Docetaxel The recommended dosage of CYRAMZA is 10 mg/kg administered by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes on Day 1 of a 21-day cycle prior to docetaxel infusion. If the first infusion is tolerated, all subsequent CYRAMZA infusions may be administered over 30 minutes. Continue CYRAMZA until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Refer to the prescribing information for docetaxel for dosage information. 2.4 Recommended Dosage for Colorectal Cancer The recommended dosage of CYRAMZA is 8 mg/kg every 2 weeks administered by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes prior to FOLFIRI administration. If the first infusion is tolerated, all subsequent CYRAMZA infusions may be administered over 30 minutes. Continue CYRAMZA until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Refer to the prescribing information for fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan for dosage information. 2.5 Recommended Dosage for Hepatocellular Carcinoma The recommended dosage of CYRAMZA is 8 mg/kg every 2 weeks administered by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes. If the first infusion is tolerated, all subsequent CYRAMZA infusions may be administered over 30 minutes. Continue CYRAMZA until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. 2.6 Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions Reduce dose, withhold dose, or discontinue CYRAMZA to manage adverse reactions as described in Table 1 . Table 1: Dosage Modifications for CYRAMZA Adverse Reaction Severity a Dosage Modification a National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE) version 4.0 used to identify adverse reactions Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Grade 3 or 4 Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA Gastrointestinal Perforation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] All Grades Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA Wound Healing Complications [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] All Grades Withhold CYRAMZA for 28 days prior to elective surgery. Resume CYRAMZA no sooner than 2 weeks after surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of CYRAMZA after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established. Arterial Thromboembolic Events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] All Grades Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Severe hypertension Withhold CYRAMZA until controlled with medical management Severe hypertension that cannot be controlled with antihypertensive therapy Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA Infusion-Related Reaction (IRR) [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Grade 1 or 2 IRR Reduce the infusion rate of CYRAMZA by 50% Grade 3 or 4 IRR Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrom
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Gastrointestinal Perforations [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Impaired Wound Healing [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Arterial Thromboembolic Events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . Infusion-Related Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] . Worsening of Pre-existing Hepatic Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] . Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] . Proteinuria Including Nephrotic Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] . Thyroid Dysfunction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] . The most common adverse reactions observed in single agent CYRAMZA-treated gastric cancer patients at a rate of ≥10% and ≥2% higher than placebo were hypertension and diarrhea. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions observed in patients treated with CYRAMZA with paclitaxel at a rate of ≥30% and ≥2% higher than placebo with paclitaxel were fatigue/asthenia, neutropenia, diarrhea, and epistaxis. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions observed in patients treated with CYRAMZA with erlotinib at a rate of ≥30% and ≥2% higher than placebo with erlotinib were, infections, hypertension, stomatitis, proteinuria, alopecia, and epistaxis. The most common laboratory abnormalities at a rate of ≥30% and ≥2% higher difference in incidence between arms were increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions observed in patients treated with CYRAMZA with docetaxel at a rate of ≥30% and ≥2% higher than placebo with docetaxel were neutropenia, fatigue/asthenia, and stomatitis/mucosal inflammation. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions observed in patients treated with CYRAMZA with FOLFIRI at a rate of ≥30% and ≥2% higher than placebo with FOLFIRI were diarrhea, neutropenia, decreased appetite, epistaxis, and stomatitis. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions observed in single agent CYRAMZA-treated HCC patients at a rate of ≥15% and ≥2% higher than placebo were fatigue, peripheral edema, hypertension, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, proteinuria, nausea, and ascites. The most common laboratory abnormalities at a rate of ≥30% and a ≥2% higher difference in incidence between arms were thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and hyponatremia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Eli Lilly and Company at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described in the Warnings and Precautions section reflect exposure to CYRAMZA in 2137 patients from six studies: REGARD, RAINBOW, RAISE, REVEL, REACH-2, and RELAY. Gastric Cancer The safety of CYRAMZA was evaluated in REGARD and RAINBOW [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . Patients in both trials had locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (including GEJ adenocarcinoma) and had previously received platinum- or fluoropyrimidine-containing chemotherapy. Patients had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 0 or 1. Both trials excluded patients with uncontrolled hypertension, major surgery within 28 days, or patients receiving chronic anti-platelet therapy other than once daily aspirin. REGARD excluded patients with bilirubin ≥1.5 mg/dL and RAINBOW excluded patients with bilirubin >1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN). CYRAMZA Administered as a Single Agent (REGARD) Patients received either CYRAMZA 8 mg/kg or placebo intravenously every two weeks. Patients randomized to CYRAMZA received a median of 4 doses; the median duration of exposure was 8 weeks and 32 (14% of 236) patients received CYRAMZA for at least six months. The most common serious adverse reactions with CYRAMZA were anemia (3.8%) and intestinal obstruction (2.1%). Red blood cell transfusions were given to 11% of CYRAMZA-treated patients versus 8.7% of patients who received placebo. The most common adverse reactions (all grades) observed in CYRAMZA-treated patients at a rate of ≥10% and ≥2% higher than placebo were hypertension and diarrhea. Table 2 provides the frequency and severity of adverse reactions (CTCAE, version 4.0) in REGARD. Table 2: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥5% of Patients with a ≥2% Difference Between Arms in REGARD a Hypertension is a consolidated term. Adverse Reactions CYRAMZA (N=236) Placebo (N=115) All Grades (%) Grade 3-4 (%) All Grades (%) Grade 3-4 (%) Vascular Hypertension a 16 8 8 3 Gastrointestinal Diarrhea 14
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None None ( 4 )
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Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.