Phyllis McKiernan on Drug Approvals and Adverse Events

Article

Phyllis McKiernan, MSN, APN, OCN, nurse practitioner, John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, discusses new drug approvals for multiple myeloma and addressing adverse events. 

Phyllis McKiernan, MSN, APN, OCN, nurse practitioner, John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, discusses new drug approvals for multiple myeloma and addressing adverse events. 

The FDA approved three drugs within a 2-week span in November for multiple myeloma—Darzalex (daratumumab), Ninlaro (ixazomib), and Empliciti (elotuzumab). McKiernan says that nurses can help patients make informed decisions by sharing scientific information about the risks and benefits of their treatment options. 

Educating patients is also key in addressing adverse events, McKiernan says. Some patients stop taking a drug once they begin to experience side effects, and McKiernan says that nurses should reiterate to patients that they can help lessen and manage their effects. 

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