Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of cancers in adults and some children. Tecentriq comes as an injection that’s given by a healthcare professional. The dosage can vary depending on what condition the drug is used to help treat.
Tecentriq is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- adults with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (alone or in combination with chemotherapy)
- adults with a type of lung cancer called small cell lung cancer (in combination with chemotherapy)
- adults with a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (in combination with chemotherapy)
- adults with a type of skin cancer called melanoma (in combination with chemotherapy)
- adults and children 2 years of age and older with a type of soft tissue cancer called alveolar soft part sarcoma (alone)
Tecentriq is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called PD-L1 inhibitors. Tecentriq is not available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Tecentriq, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Tecentriq, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Tecentriq provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Tecentriq dosage that’s right for you.
Read below for recommended dosages of Tecentriq and other details about the drug.
Tecentriq form
Tecentriq comes as a solution in a single-dose vial. The solution is diluted with a liquid to form a solution for intravenous (IV) infusion. You’ll receive the IV infusion in a hospital or clinic.
Tecentriq strengths
Tecentriq comes in two strengths: 840 milligrams per 14 milliliters of solution (mg/mL) and 1,200 mg/20 mL.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for non-small cell lung cancer
Doctors may prescribe Tecentriq to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It may be prescribed alone or with other drugs, depending on the type and severity of the disease.
The table below shows the recommended dosages for adults:
| Type of NSCLC | Prescribed alone or with other drugs? | Recommended Dosages |
|---|---|---|
| NSCLC | Alone or with chemotherapy + bevacizumab | 840 mg every 2 weeks or 1,200 mg every 3 weeks or 1,680 mg every 4 weeks |
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for small cell lung cancer
Doctors may prescribe Tecentriq with other drugs to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
The table below shows the recommended dosages for adults:
| Condition | Prescribed alone or with other drugs? | Recommended Dosages |
|---|---|---|
| SCLC | With chemotherapy | 840 mg every 2 weeks or 1,200 mg every 3 weeks or 1,680 mg every 4 weeks |
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Dosage for hepatocellular carcinoma
Doctors may prescribe Tecentriq with other drugs to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
The table below shows the recommended dosages for adults:
| Condition | Prescribed alone or with other drugs? | Recommended Dosages |
|---|---|---|
| HCC | With bevacizumab | 840 mg every 2 weeks or 1,200 mg every 3 weeks or 1,680 mg every 4 weeks |
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Dosage for melanoma
Doctors may prescribe Tecentriq with other drugs to treat melanoma.
The table below shows the recommended dosages for adults:
| Condition | Prescribed alone or with other drugs? | Recommended Dosages |
|---|---|---|
| Melanoma | With cobimetinib and vemurafenib | 840 mg every 2 weeks or 1,200 mg every 3 weeks or 1,680 mg every 4 weeks |
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Dosage for alveolar soft part sarcoma
Doctors may prescribe Tecentriq alone to treat alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS).
The table below shows the recommended dosages for adults:
| Condition | Prescribed alone or with other drugs? | Recommended Dosages |
|---|---|---|
| ASPS | Alone | 840 mg every 2 weeks or 1,200 mg every 3 weeks or 1,680 mg every 4 weeks |
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Tecentriq is approved to treat ASPS in children ages 2 years and older.
The dosage is based on the child’s body weight in kilograms (kg).* The dosage per kg is measured in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) and is calculated by your child’s doctor.
The table below lists the typical dosing schedule for children taking Tecentriq.
| Condition | Prescribed alone or with other drugs? | Recommended Dosages |
|---|---|---|
| ASPS | Alone | 15 mg/kg (up to a maximum 1,200 mg) every 3 weeks |
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
*One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Long-term treatment
Tecentriq is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment until your disease progresses or you experience side effects that are not acceptable. If you are taking Tecentriq along with other medications to treat NSCLC, you should take it for up to 1 year. If you and your doctor determine that Tecentriq is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Tecentriq, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you the intravenous (IV) infusion of Tecentriq through your vein. First, they’ll dilute the solution from the Tecentriq vial with a liquid to make a larger solution. Then, they’ll prepare the liquid solution for infusion. You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, infusion center, or a hospital to receive your infusion. The infusion is given slowly and can take up to 60 minutes to complete.
If you have questions about how you’ll receive Tecentriq, talk with your doctor.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you miss your appointment for a Tecentriq infusion, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Tecentriq.
How long does it take for Tecentriq to start working?
Tecentriq starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition. (Tecentriq is prescribed to treat certain types of cancers in adults and some children 2 years and older).
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Tecentriq treatment.
Is there a typical dosage range for Tecentriq?
Yes, the typical recommended dosages for Tecentriq are 1,680 mg every 4 weeks, 1,200 mg every 3 weeks, or 840 mg every 2 weeks. The dosage can vary depending on what condition Tecentriq is being used to treat.
For more information about Tecentriq dosages, see the “Tecentriq dosage” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tecentriq for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
If you have questions about the dosage of Tecentriq that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Tecentriq. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Tecentriq: For information about other aspects of Tecentriq, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Tecentriq, see this article. You can also look at the Tecentriq prescribing information.
- Drug comparison: To find out how Tecentriq compares with Imfinzi, read this article.
- Details about cancer: For details about certain types of cancer, see our cancer hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.