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Drugs A–Z

Pafolacianine

Pafolacianine is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Brand names
Cytalux
Taken
Intravenous
Label
On Target Laboratories, Inc., revised April 1, 2026 · full label on DailyMed
Generic
No · details

What it is used for

1. INDICATIONS AND USAGE CYTALUX is indicated as an adjunct for intraoperative identification of: Malignant lesions in adult patients with ovarian cancer. Malignant and non-malignant pulmonary lesions in adult patients with known or suspected cancer in the lung. CYTALUX is an optical imaging agent indicated as an adjunct for intraoperative identification of: Malignant lesions in adult patients with ovarian cancer. Malignant and non-malignant pulmonary lesions in adult patients with known or suspected cancer in the lung. ( 1 )

Forms and strengths

Injection: 3.2 mg/1.6 mL (2 mg/mL) pafolacianine (equivalent to 3.4 mg/1.6 mL pafolacianine sodium) supplied as a dark bluish green, clear aqueous solution in a single-dose vial. Injection: 3.2 mg/1.6 mL (2 mg/mL) of pafolacianine in a single-dose vial. (3)

Who should not take it (contraindications)

None. None. (4)

Warnings and precautions

Infusion-Related Reactions: Interrupt the infusion and treat as necessary with antihistamines and/or nausea medications. ( 5.1 ) Risk of misinterpretation: Non-fluorescing tissue in the surgical field does not rule out the presence of tumor. Fluorescence may be seen in non-cancerous tissues. ( 5.2 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: CYTALUX may cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. ( 5.3 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) Risk of Pafolacianine Aggregation and Infusion Reactions: Use only 5% Dextrose Injection for dilution. Do not use other diluents. ( 5.4 )

5.1 Infusion-Related Reactions Adverse reactions including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flushing, hypersensitivity, elevation in blood pressure, dyspepsia, and chest discomfort were reported in patients receiving CYTALUX in clinical studies. A total of 17% of patients experienced reactions during the administration of CYTALUX [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Reactions typically occurred within 15 minutes of the start of infusion. CYTALUX infusion interruption or discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred in 11% of all patients. Treatment with antihistamines and/or anti-nausea medication may be used. If an adverse reaction occurs during administration, the infusion can be interrupted and resumed after treatment of the reaction [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 , 2.4 )] .

5.2 Risk of Misinterpretation Errors may occur with the use of CYTALUX during intraoperative fluorescence imaging to detect ovarian cancer and lesions in the lung, including false negatives and false positives. Non-fluorescing tissue in the surgical field does not rule out the presence of ovarian cancer or lesions in the lung [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . Fluorescence may be seen in normal tissues including bowel, kidneys, lymph nodes, and lungs as well as in inflamed tissues.

5.3 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on its mechanism of action, CYTALUX may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating CYTALUX treatment. [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 ) ].

5.4 Risk of Pafolacianine Aggregation and Infusion Reactions Use of the incorrect diluent to prepare the CYTALUX infusion solution can cause the aggregation of pafolacianine; aggregation may induce infusion reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or rash. Use only 5% Dextrose Injection to prepare the CYTALUX infusion solution. Do not use other diluents. [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )].

5.1 Infusion-Related Reactions Adverse reactions including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flushing, hypersensitivity, elevation in blood pressure, dyspepsia, and chest discomfort were reported in patients receiving CYTALUX in clinical studies. A total of 17% of patients experienced reactions during the administration of CYTALUX [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Reactions typically occurred within 15 minutes of the start of infusion. CYTALUX infusion interruption or discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred in 11% of all patients. Treatment with antihistamines and/or anti-nausea medication may be used. If an adverse reaction occurs during administration, the infusion can be interrupted and resumed after treatment of the reaction [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 , 2.4 )] .

5.2 Risk of Misinterpretation Errors may occur with the use of CYTALUX during intraoperative fluorescence imaging to detect ovarian cancer and lesions in the lung, including false negatives and false positives. Non-fluorescing tissue in the surgical field does not rule out the presence of ovarian cancer or lesions in the lung [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . Fluorescence may be seen in normal tissues including bowel, kidneys, lymph nodes, and lungs as well as in inflamed tissues.

5.3 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on its mechanism of action, CYTALUX may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating CYTALUX treatment. [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 ) ].

5.4 Risk of Pafolacianine Aggregation and Infusion Reactions Use of the incorrect diluent to prepare the CYTALUX infusion solution can cause the aggregation of pafolacianine; aggregation may induce infusion reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or rash. Use only 5% Dextrose Injection to prepare the CYTALUX infusion solution. Do not use other diluents. [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )].

Side effects (adverse reactions)

The following clinically significant adverse reaction is described elsewhere in the labeling:

  • Infusion-Related Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥1%; ovarian and lung combined) included nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flushing, other infusion-related reactions, hypersensitivity, elevation in blood pressure, dyspepsia, and chest discomfort. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact On Target Laboratories at 1-844-434-9333 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 safety of CYTALUX was evaluated in four open label clinical studies, two studies (N = 44 and N = 150) in patients with ovarian cancer and two studies (N = 100 and N = 112) in patients with known or suspected cancer in the lung. A total of 406 patients received 0.025 mg/kg of CYTALUX via intravenous administration. The demographic characteristics of the study population were 82% female (66% female in lung studies), mean age 64 years (range 26 to 89 years), 85% White, 6% Black or African American, 5% Asian, and 4% other race, 5% Hispanic or Latino, 92% Not Hispanic or Latino, and 3% unreported ethnicity. Adverse reactions that occurred in > 1% of patients are presented in Table 1. Table 1. Adverse Reactions from Clinical Studies Reported in ≥ 1% of CYTALUX Treated Patients with Ovarian Cancer or Known or Suspected Cancer in the Lung Adverse Reaction CYTALUX 0.025 mg/kg (N = 406) % Nausea 13 Vomiting 5 Abdominal pain 2 Flushing 2 Other infusion-related reactions 2 Hypersensitivity 2 Elevation in blood pressure 1 Dyspepsia 1 Chest discomfort 1 Adverse reactions occurred during the administration of CYTALUX in 17% of patients. Overall, the safety profile observed in patients treated with CYTALUX 0.025 mg/kg was similar between patients with ovarian cancer and patients with known or suspected cancer in the lung.

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 safety of CYTALUX was evaluated in four open label clinical studies, two studies (N = 44 and N = 150) in patients with ovarian cancer and two studies (N = 100 and N = 112) in patients with known or suspected cancer in the lung. A total of 406 patients received 0.025 mg/kg of CYTALUX via intravenous administration. The demographic characteristics of the study population were 82% female (66% female in lung studies), mean age 64 years (range 26 to 89 years), 85% White, 6% Black or African American, 5% Asian, and 4% other race, 5% Hispanic or Latino, 92% Not Hispanic or Latino, and 3% unreported ethnicity. Adverse reactions that occurred in > 1% of patients are presented in Table 1. Table 1. Adverse Reactions from Clinical Studies Reported in ≥ 1% of CYTALUX Treated Patients with Ovarian Cancer or Known or Suspected Cancer in the Lung Adverse Reaction CYTALUX 0.025 mg/kg (N = 406) % Nausea 13 Vomiting 5 Abdominal pain 2 Flushing 2 Other infusion-related reactions 2 Hypersensitivity 2 Elevation in blood pressure 1 Dyspepsia 1 Chest discomfort 1 Adverse reactions occurred during the administration of CYTALUX in 17% of patients. Overall, the safety profile observed in patients treated with CYTALUX 0.025 mg/kg was similar between patients with ovarian cancer and patients with known or suspected cancer in the lung.

Drug interactions

Use of folate, folic acid, or folate-containing supplements may reduce binding of pafolacianine to folate receptors and could reduce the detection of lesions with CYTALUX. Avoid administration of folate, folic acid, or folate-containing supplements within 48 hours before administration of CYTALUX [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ]. Folate Supplements: Avoid folate, folic acid, or folate-containing supplements within 48 hours before administration of CYTALUX. (7) See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its mechanism of action, pafolacianine may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )] . There are no available human data to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. No adverse developmental effects were observed in rats and rabbits with intravenous administration of pafolacianine during organogenesis (embryofetal development) at doses up to 158-fold (rat) and 570-fold (rabbit) the recommended human dose of 0.025 mg/kg based on AUC, otherwise 9.6 and 38.4-fold based on human equivalent dose (HED) ( see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defects, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In the definitive embryo-fetal development (EFD) studies, pafolacianine was intravenously administered during the period of organogenesis as follows: 0.015, 0.15, and 1.5 mg/kg/day from gestational day (GD) 6 to GD17 in rats (HEDs of 0.002, 0.024 and 0.242 mg/kg/day), and 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg/day from GD7 to GD20 in rabbits (HEDs of 0.097, 0.323 and 0.968 mg/kg/day). No significant drug-related maternal toxicity and embryo-fetal development toxicity were observed. NOAELs were 1.5 mg/kg/day in rats and 3 mg/kg/day in rabbits. Estimated systemic exposures were 158 times (rat) and 570 times (rabbit) the human exposure at a human dose of 0.025 mg/kg based on plasma AUC comparison.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of pafolacianine in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for CYTALUX and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from CYTALUX or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential CYTALUX may cause fetal harm if administered to a pregnant woman [see Warnings And Precautions ( 5.3 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . Pregnancy Testing Obtain a pregnancy test in females of reproductive potential and verify the absence of pregnancy prior to administration of CYTALUX [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] .

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of CYTALUX in pediatric patients have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use Of the total number of patients in clinical studies of CYTALUX, 221 patients (54%) were 65 years of age and older: 153 (38%) were 65 to 74 years of age, 66 (16%) were 75 to 84 years of age, and 2 (0.5%) were 85 years of age and older. No overall differences in safety, effectiveness, or pharmacokinetics were observed between patients 65 years of age and older and younger adult patients.

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its mechanism of action, pafolacianine may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )] . There are no available human data to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. No adverse developmental effects were observed in rats and rabbits with intravenous administration of pafolacianine during organogenesis (embryofetal development) at doses up to 158-fold (rat) and 570-fold (rabbit) the recommended human dose of 0.025 mg/kg based on AUC, otherwise 9.6 and 38.4-fold based on human equivalent dose (HED) ( see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defects, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In the definitive embryo-fetal development (EFD) studies, pafolacianine was intravenously administered during the period of organogenesis as follows: 0.015, 0.15, and 1.5 mg/kg/day from gestational day (GD) 6 to GD17 in rats (HEDs of 0.002, 0.024 and 0.242 mg/kg/day), and 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg/day from GD7 to GD20 in rabbits (HEDs of 0.097, 0.323 and 0.968 mg/kg/day). No significant drug-related maternal toxicity and embryo-fetal development toxicity were observed. NOAELs were 1.5 mg/kg/day in rats and 3 mg/kg/day in rabbits. Estimated systemic exposures were 158 times (rat) and 570 times (rabbit) the human exposure at a human dose of 0.025 mg/kg based on plasma AUC comparison.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of pafolacianine in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for CYTALUX and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from CYTALUX or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential CYTALUX may cause fetal harm if administered to a pregnant woman [see Warnings And Precautions ( 5.3 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . Pregnancy Testing Obtain a pregnancy test in females of reproductive potential and verify the absence of pregnancy prior to administration of CYTALUX [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] .

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of CYTALUX in pediatric patients have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use Of the total number of patients in clinical studies of CYTALUX, 221 patients (54%) were 65 years of age and older: 153 (38%) were 65 to 74 years of age, 66 (16%) were 75 to 84 years of age, and 2 (0.5%) were 85 years of age and older. No overall differences in safety, effectiveness, or pharmacokinetics were observed between patients 65 years of age and older and younger adult patients.

Is there a generic Pafolacianine?

No. The FDA has not approved a generic version yet.

Brand-name versions

  • Cytalux On Target Labs, approved 2021

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID d21952b9-7c4e-3a56-e053-2a95a90a0ab0.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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