Brentuximab vedotin
Brand names: Adcetris
Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate used in the treatment of CD30-positive lymphomas, including Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
Adult dose
Paediatric dose
Dose adjustments
No dosage adjustment is required for mild (CrCL greater than 50 to 80 mL/min) or moderate (CrCL 30 to 50 mL/min) renal impairment. Avoid use in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCL less than 30 mL/min).
Dose auto-extracted from US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.
US labelling only (no UK SPC in this bundle) — for paediatric patients 2 years and older with previously untreated HIGH RISK classical Hodgkin lymphoma, in combination with doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone and cyclophosphamide. Safety and effectiveness have NOT been established for any other paediatric indication, nor in patients younger than 2 years. Clinician to verify against the UK SPC.
Contraindications
- Concomitant use with bleomycin, due to pulmonary toxicity (for example interstitial infiltration and/or inflammation)
Side effects
- Peripheral neuropathy (most common, 20% or more)
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain
- Fatigue, musculoskeletal pain and pyrexia
- Upper respiratory tract infection, mucositis and rash
- Laboratory abnormalities (20% or more): decreased neutrophils and increased creatinine
- Labelled serious risks include anaphylaxis and infusion reactions, haematological toxicities, serious and opportunistic infections, tumour lysis syndrome, hepatotoxicity, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, pulmonary toxicity, serious dermatologic reactions, gastrointestinal complications and hyperglycaemia
Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors — co-administration with ketoconazole increased exposure to monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), which may increase the risk of adverse reactions; monitor closely for adverse reactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers — have the potential to affect exposure to MMAE
Clinical monograph
How it works
An anti-CD30 antibody delivers the microtubule-disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin E into CD30-expressing cells, where it inhibits tubulin polymerisation and triggers cell death.
Prescribing in practice
- Peripheral neuropathy, which is often cumulative and may be sensory or motor, is a key dose-limiting toxicity requiring dose modification or discontinuation.
- It is a specialist haemato-oncology infusion; progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and serious infusion reactions have been reported.
- Severe myelosuppression, tumour lysis syndrome and pulmonary toxicity (particularly with bleomycin) may occur, and it must never be given intrathecally.
Monitoring
Monitor for peripheral neuropathy, full blood count, infusion reactions and new neurological symptoms throughout treatment.
Counselling the patient
- Report numbness, tingling, weakness, new confusion, or signs of infection promptly.
- Effective contraception is required during and for a period after treatment.
- Attend all infusion and blood test appointments.
Evidence & guidelines
Its efficacy is supported by trials including ECHELON-1 in Hodgkin lymphoma and reflected in NICE technology appraisal guidance.
Reference: NICE TA446/TA478; BSH lymphoma; ESMO; SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Vancomycin Dosing Calculator · Drug Dosing
- Phenytoin Correction for Albumin / Renal Failure · Drug Dosing
- Local Anaesthetic Maximum Dose Calculator · Drug Dosing
- Tisdale Risk Score for QT Prolongation · Arrhythmia
- Bazett Corrected QT Interval (QTc) Calculator · Arrhythmia
- DAPT Score for Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration · Antiplatelet Therapy
- Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Presentation · BSH; NICE — NG146
- Tumour Lysis Syndrome · Cairo-Bishop; BSH; NICE — Best Practice
- Major Haemorrhage / Massive Transfusion · BCSH; RCOA; RCEM; RCS — BCSH Guidelines
- Anaemia Investigation · BSH / NICE
- Splenomegaly Workup · BSH; BMJ Best Practice
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Diagnosis and Treatment · NICE CG144 / NICE NG158