Camzyos (mavacamten) is a prescription drug that’s used in certain adults with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Camzyos comes as an oral capsule.
Specifically, Camzyos is used in adults to treat class II to III obstructive HCM that’s causing symptoms. To learn more about Camzyos’ uses, see the “Uses for Camzyos” section.
Camzyos basics
Camzyos contains the active ingredient mavacamten. It belongs to a group of drugs called cardiac myosin inhibitors.
Camzyos is a brand-name medication that’s only available in a brand-name version. Camzyos doesn’t come in a generic version.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Camzyos. What you’ll pay for Camzyos may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.
Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:
- Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Camzyos when using coupons from the site. See the coupon options below. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
- Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The drug manufacturer also has a Camzyos Co-Pay Program that you may be eligible for.
Like most drugs, Camzyos may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Camzyos may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Camzyos. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Camzyos and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.
Mild side effects
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Camzyos can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Camzyos’ prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Camzyos that have been reported include:
- dizziness
- fainting
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Camzyos can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Camzyos, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
A serious side effect of Camzyos is the risk of heart failure. Camzyos has a boxed warning for this risk. A boxed warning is the most serious warning issued by the FDA. Due to this risk, Camzyos can only be available through a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program. For more information, see the “Camzyos precautions” section.
Allergic reactionSome people may have an allergic reaction to Camzyos. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Camzyos.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Camzyos, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Camzyos is used to treat obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in adults. Specifically, Camzyos helps treat class II to III obstructive HCM that’s causing symptoms.
With this condition, your heart has difficulty pumping blood because the heart muscle becomes thicker than usual. This means it becomes harder for your heart to pump blood throughout your body.
Camzyos’ mechanism of action
Camzyos contains the active ingredient mavacamten, which belongs to a group of drugs called cardiac myosin inhibitors. It treats obstructive HCM by relaxing your heart muscle and allowing your heart to pump blood easier. This also helps decrease the symptoms of obstructive HCM.
The Camzyos dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- how well your heart is working
- other medical conditions you may have
- other medications you may take
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Form and strengths
Camzyos is available as an oral capsule. It comes in four strengths:
- 2.5 milligrams (mg)
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 15 mg
Recommended dosage
You’ll take your dose of Camzyos once daily. Your doctor will prescribe the dose that’s best for treating obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Be sure to take the dosage they prescribe for you. Depending on how you respond to Camzyos, your doctor may adjust your dose during your treatment.
About taking Camzyos
Below are some common questions about taking Camzyos.
- Can Camzyos be chewed, crushed, or split? No, you should not chew, crush, or split the Camzyos capsules. Camzyos should be swallowed whole. If you have difficulty swallowing your Camzyos capsules, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Should I take Camzyos with food? You can take your dose of Camzyos with or without food.
- Is there a best time of day to take Camzyos? There’s no best time of day to take Camzyos, but you should take your dose around the same time each day. This helps to keep a consistent amount of medication in your body, which helps the drug work better.
- What if I miss a dose of Camzyos? If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, if it’s still within the same day of the missed dose. But if it’s the next day when you remember you’ve missed a dose, just skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses of Camzyos on the same day to make up for a missed dose. If you missed a dose of Camzyos and you have questions about when to take your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Will I need to use Camzyos long term? Yes. If Camzyos works to treat your condition and is safe for you, you’ll likely take it long term for your HCM.
Overdose
Do not take more Camzyos than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- low blood pressure
- fainting
- serious heart problems, which can lead to your heart stopping
Note: Camzyos has a boxed warning for the risk of heart failure. A boxed warning is the most serious warning issued by the FDA. For more information, see the “Camzyos precautions” section.
What to do in case you take too much Camzyos
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Camzyos. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are precautions and warnings for Camzyos.
FDA warning: Risk of heart failure
Camzyos has a boxed warning about the risk of heart failure. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Due to the risk of heart failure, Camzyos is available only through a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program. The FDA requires REMS programs for certain drugs to help make sure they’re prescribed and dispensed safely by doctors and pharmacists.
Camzyos can decrease your heart’s ejection fraction, which may lead to heart failure. (Ejection fraction is a measurement doctors use to help determine if someone has heart failure.) Due to this risk, your doctor will monitor your heart before and during your Camzyos treatment with echocardiograms.
Symptoms of heart failure that you should be aware of include:
- chest pain
- swelling of the feet or legs
- heart palpitations (feeling like your heart has skipped a beat or added an extra beat)
- abnormal heart rhythm
- shortness of breath
You may have a higher risk of heart failure from Camzyos if you have a serious infection or another heart condition, such as an abnormal heart rhythm.
What you can do
If you develop any symptoms of heart failure during your treatment with Camzyos, tell your doctor or go to the hospital right away. If you develop heart failure during your Camzyos treatment, your doctor will likely recommend that you stop taking it and switch to a different treatment.
Taking certain other medications with Camzyos may increase your risk of heart failure. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take before starting Camzyos treatment. For more information on drugs that may interact with Camzyos, see the “Camzyos interactions” section.
Other precautions
Before taking Camzyos, discuss your health history with your doctor. Camzyos may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
- previous allergic reaction to Camzyos
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Camzyos, see the “Side effects of Camzyos” section.
Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Camzyos.
Why is Camzyos so expensive?
Camzyos is a brand-name drug. Brand-name drugs are typically more expensive than generic drugs. A generic contains an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.
Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.
Currently, there’s no generic version of Camzyos available.
If you have questions about the price of Camzyos, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Can Camzyos cause weight gain?
Camzyos has a risk of heart failure, which can cause rapid weight gain as a symptom. Camzyos has a boxed warning about the risk of heart failure. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information, see the “Camzyos precautions” section.
If you experience rapid weight gain during Camzyos treatment, be sure to tell your doctor or get emergency medical help right away by calling 911 or your local emergency number.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about weight gain and Camzyos.
Can Camzyos cause long-term side effects?
Yes, Camzyos may cause long-term side effects in some people. Camzyos may cause heart failure, which can continue even after you stop taking the drug. Camzyos has a boxed warning about the risk of heart failure. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see the “Camzyos precautions” section.
It’s important to know the symptoms of heart failure and see a doctor or go to the hospital right away if you develop any of them. Symptoms may include:
- swelling of the feet or legs
- chest pain
- heart palpitations (feeling like your heart has skipped a beat or added an extra beat)
- abnormal heart rhythm
- shortness of breath
If you’re concerned about long-term side effects with Camzyos, talk to your doctor.
How often do I need to have an echocardiogram while taking Camzyos?
Your doctor will recommend that you have echocardiograms throughout your Camzyos treatment. This is because the drug can cause heart failure. Echocardiograms will help show your doctor whether you’re developing heart failure. Camzyos has a boxed warning about the risk of heart failure. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see the “Camzyos precautions” section.
Below is the typical echocardiogram schedule with Camzyos:
- before starting treatment
- 4 weeks after starting treatment
- 8 weeks after starting treatment
- 12 weeks after starting treatment
- every 12 weeks after the 12th week of starting treatment
If your dose of Camzyos increases or if you stopped taking Camzyos, your doctor may recommend echocardiograms more often. You may also need echocardiograms more often if you take certain medications that can increase your risk of heart failure.
If you have any questions or concerns about how often you’ll need echocardiograms, talk with your doctor.
Camzyos can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain foods.
Before taking Camzyos, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
Interactions with medications
Below is a list of medications that can interact with Camzyos. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Camzyos. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples |
|---|---|
| Certain types of hormonal birth control | • ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Junel, Balziva) • ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate (Mono-Linyah, Tri-Sprintec) |
| Certain heart medications | • antiarrhythmic medications, such as disopyramide (Norpace) • beta-blockers, such as metoprolol (Toprol XL, Lopressor) or nebivolol (Bystolic) • certain calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil (Verelan) or diltiazem (Cardizem) |
| Certain heartburn medications | • omeprazole (Prilosec) • esomeprazole (Nexium) • cimetidine (Tagamet) |
| Midazolam (Seizalam) | – |
| Repaglinide | – |
| CYP2C19 enzyme blockers | • fluconazole (Diflucan) • fluoxetine (Prozac) |
| CYP3A4 enzyme blockers | • clarithromycin • ketoconazole (Nizoral) • ritonavir (Norvir) |
| CYP2C19 enzyme inducers | • rifampin (Rimactane) |
| CYP3A4 enzyme inducers | • carbamazepine (Tegretol) • phenytoin (Dilantin) • rifampin (Rimactane) |
Camzyos and food
Camzyos interacts with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. You should not consume grapefruit products during your Camzyos treatment. Doing so may raise your risk of side effects from Camzyos, including heart failure. Camzyos has a boxed warning about the risk of heart failure. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see the “Camzyos precautions” section.
Camzyos and alcohol
Camzyos is not known to interact with alcohol. However, it’s possible for alcohol to worsen your hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Because of this, your doctor may recommend that you limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much alcohol (if any) may be safe for you to consume.
The following is important information to consider and discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Camzyos
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Camzyos is not safe to take during pregnancy. This drug may cause harm to a fetus. If you become pregnant while taking Camzyos, tell your doctor right away. They can help determine the best treatment plan for you.
If you can become pregnant, your doctor will order a pregnancy test before you start Camzyos treatment to ensure you aren’t pregnant.
It’s not known whether Camzyos is safe to take while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting Camzyos treatment.
Birth control
If you can become pregnant, you should use birth control, such as condoms, during your Camzyos treatment and for at least 4 months after stopping treatment.
It’s important to note that Camzyos can interact with certain types of hormonal birth control. For more information, see the “Camzyos interactions” section.
If you have questions about which type of birth control is right for you while taking Camzyos, talk with your doctor.
Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Camzyos, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.
The following drugs are similar to Camzyos:
- beta-blockers, such as metoprolol (Toprol XL, Lopressor), nebivolol (Bystolic) or carvedilol (Coreg)
- blood thinners, such as warfarin (Jantoven), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or apixaban (Eliquis)
- heart rhythm medications, such as disopyramide or amiodarone (Pacerone)
- calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil (Verelan) or diltiazem (Cardizem)
Disclaimer: Healthline 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.