For US Healthcare Professionals

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you’ve just been diagnosed with DLBCL, you may have questions. Here is a list of questions you can use when you talk to your doctor. This support can aid in understanding the journey ahead, including selecting a treatment plan and determining if POLIVY® can help.

These questions are not meant to replace a conversation with your care team.

Understanding my diagnosis

  • How advanced is the DLBCL, or what risk category am I in, and what does it mean?
  • Will I need other tests before we can make a treatment decision?

Understanding my treatment options

  • What should the goal of my treatment plan be, and why?
  • What are my treatment options and their risks and benefits?
  • What are my options if a treatment stops working?
  • How quickly do we need to make a treatment decision?
  • Is POLIVY plus R-CHP the right choice for me?
  • How is POLIVY plus R-CHP different from traditional chemoimmunotherapy*?
  • What can I expect during/after treatment with POLIVY plus R-CHP?
  • What side effects might I experience while on POLIVY plus R-CHP?

Preparing for my POLIVY plus R-CHP treatment

  • How long will a treatment visit be? Where will it take place? What will it be like?
  • What can or should I bring with me to treatment?
  • Will I need someone to come along with me?
  • Should I change my eating habits or exercise routine during treatment?
  • How will you monitor my response to treatment?
  • How can I tell if the treatment is working?
  • What can I do to improve my overall treatment experience and reduce side effects?
  • Can I stop POLIVY plus R-CHP at any time? Are there any side effects that may require you to stop my treatment? What will happen then?
  • How long will I stay on treatment?
  • How long will my treatment visit be?
  • Will I need to take any special precautions while I’m getting treated?

After treatment with POLIVY

  • What type of follow-up will I need after treatment, and when?
  • What can I expect after treatment?
  • How will I know if the cancer has come back? What should I watch for?

Getting the right support

Who can I call on my healthcare team to help me with the following topics?

  • Paying for treatment or access to financial support programs
  • Staying healthy (nutrition and movement)
  • Access to a mental health professional
  • Getting a ride to and from my treatment center
  • Finding a community/local support group
  • Other (e.g., about DLBCL, about POLIVY, side effects)

*Traditional chemoimmunotherapy refers to R-CHOP, which is an acronym for the following medicines: a rituximab product (R); cyclophosphamide (C); doxorubicin, also known as Adriamycin (H); vincristine, also known as Oncovin (O); and prednisone (P).

We understand you may be facing many challenges during this difficult time. We believe getting your Genentech medicines shouldn’t be one of those challenges. To learn how we may help, please refer to our Financial Assistance Options.

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Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Download this printable doctor discussion guide to prepare for your next doctor’s visit.

Download Guide
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Financial Support

Learn about financial support and other resources to help you access POLIVY

Get Support
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Downloadable
Resources

Download resources and explore lists of informational sites and support groups.

Learn More
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Have additional questions?

Call the Patient Resource Center for answers to your questions about POLIVY or other resources from Genentech.


1 (877) GENENTECH
(1-877-436-3683) Monday-Friday, 6 AM-5 PM PST

This is not meant to replace the advice of your healthcare team.

Next: Caregiver Tips
Important Safety Information and Indication

What does POLIVY® treat?

POLIVY is a prescription medicine used with other medicines (a rituximab product, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone) as a first treatment for adults who have moderate to high risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL).

POLIVY is a prescription medicine used with other medicines, bendamustine and a rituximab product, to treat DLBCL, NOS, in adults who have progressed after at least 2 prior therapies.

Possible serious side effects

Everyone reacts differently to POLIVY therapy, so it’s important to know what the side effects are. Some people who have been treated with POLIVY have experienced serious to fatal side effects. Your doctor may stop or adjust your treatment if any serious side effects occur. Be sure to contact your healthcare team if there are any signs of these side effects.

  • Nerve problems in your arms and legs: This may happen as early as after your first dose and may worsen with every dose. Your doctor will monitor for signs and symptoms, such as changes in your sense of touch, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, nerve pain, burning sensation, any muscle weakness, or changes to your walking pattern
  • Infusion-related reactions: You may experience fever, chills, rash, breathing problems, low blood pressure, or hives within 24 hours of your infusion
  • Low blood cell counts: Treatment with POLIVY can cause severe low blood cell counts. Your doctor will monitor your blood counts throughout treatment with POLIVY
  • Infections: If you have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, cough, or pain during urination, contact your healthcare team. Your doctor may also give you medication before giving you POLIVY, which may prevent some infections, and will monitor your blood counts throughout treatment with POLIVY. Treatment with POLIVY can cause severe low blood cell counts
  • Rare and serious brain infections: Your doctor will monitor closely for signs and symptoms of these types of infections. Contact your doctor if you experience confusion, dizziness or loss of balance, trouble talking or walking, or vision changes
  • Tumor lysis syndrome: Caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. Signs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of energy
  • Potential harm to liver: Some signs include tiredness, weight loss, pain in the abdomen, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes. You may be at higher risk if you already had liver problems or you are taking other medication

Side effects seen most often

The most common side effects of POLIVY when used as a first treatment in DLBCL with the medicines rituximab product, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone include

  • Nerve problems in arms and legs
  • Nausea
  • Tiredness or lack of energy
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Hair loss
  • ​​​Redness and sores of the lining of the mouth, lips, throat, and digestive tract

POLIVY may lower your red or white blood cell counts and increase uric acid levels.

The most common side effects of POLIVY when used in DLBCL after at least 2 prior therapies with other medicines, bendamustine and a rituximab product, include

  • Low blood cell counts (platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells)
  • Nerve problems in arms and legs
  • Tiredness or lack of energy
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Decreased appetite
  • Infections

POLIVY may not be for everyone. Talk to your doctor if you are

  • Pregnant or think you are pregnant: Data have shown that POLIVY may harm your unborn baby
  • Planning to become pregnant: Women should avoid getting pregnant while taking POLIVY. Women should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after their last POLIVY treatment. Men taking POLIVY should use effective contraception during treatment and for 5 months after their last POLIVY treatment
  • Breastfeeding: Women should not breastfeed while taking POLIVY and for 2 months after the last dose

These may not be all the side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information about the benefits and risks of POLIVY treatment.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see the full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.

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