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cytalux

Cytalux (Pafolacianine Sodium) is a medication supplied as an injection.

Pafolacianine Sodium · by On Target Labs

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 7, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass

Key facts

Active ingredient
Pafolacianine Sodium
Form
Injectable
Strength
Pafolacianine Sodium EQ 3.2MG BASE/1.6ML (EQ 2MG BASE/ML)
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
Manufacturer
On Target Labs
FDA application
NDA214907

What is Cytalux?

From the FDA label:CYTALUX contains pafolacianine, an optical imaging agent, as a tetrasodium salt referred to as pafolacianine sodium. Chemically, pafolacianine sodium is (S)-2-(4-(((2-amino-4-oxo-3,4- dihydropteridin-6-yl)methyl)amino)benzamido)-3-(4-(((E)-2-((E)-2-(3,3-dimethyl-5-sulfonato-1-(4- sulfonatobutyl)-3H-indol-1-ium-2-yl)vinyl)-6-((E)-2-(3,3-dimethyl-5-sulfonato-1-(4- sulfonatobutyl)indolin-2-ylidene)ethylidene)cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)oxy)phenyl)propanoate hydrate tetrasodium. Pafolacianine sodium has a molecular formula of C 61 H 63 N 9 Na 4 O 17 S 4 , a molecular mass of 1414.42 g/mol and has the following structure: CYTALUX (pafolacianine) injection is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, dark bluish green, clear aqueous solution for intravenous use. Each vial contains 3.2 mg (2 mg/mL) pafolacianine (equivalent to 3.4 mg pafolacianine sodium),14.4 mg sodium chloride, 0.23 mg potassium phosphate monobasic, 1.27 mg sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate in 1.6 mL volume. The pH is adjusted with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid and is between 7.1 to 7.8. 214907s000lbl.jpg

How to use

For recommended testing, evaluations, and premedications, see Full Prescribing Information. ( 2.1 ) Recommended intravenous dosage of CYTALUX is: Adult Patients with Ovarian Cancer: 0.025 mg/kg over 60 minutes, 1 hour to 9 hours prior to surgery Adult Patients with Known or Suspected Cancer in the Lung: 0.025 mg/kg over 60 minutes, 1 hour to 24 hours prior to surgery. ( 2.2 ) For preparation, management of infusion-related reactions, and imaging information see Full Prescribing Information. CYTALUX should only be used by trained surgeons using FDA cleared imaging systems. ( 2.3 , 2.4 , 2.5 ) 2.1 Recommended Testing, Evaluations and Premedications Prior to Administration of CYTALUX Obtain a pregnancy test in females of reproductive potential and verify the absence of pregnancy prior to administration of CYTALUX [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 ) ]. Discontinue folate, folic acid, or folate containing supplements 48 hours before administration of CYTALUX [ see Drug Interactions (7) ]. Consider administering antihistamines and/or anti-nausea medication for prophylaxis against infusion related reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage and Administration Adult Patients with Ovarian Cancer The recommended dose of CYTALUX is a single intravenous infusion of 0.025 mg/kg diluted in 250 mL of 5% Dextrose…

Side effects

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…

Warnings

Important safety information

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 )].

Who should not take Cytalux

None. None. (4)

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.

Dosage forms

Injectable

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

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Frequently asked questions

Is there a coupon or discount for Cytalux?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Cytalux. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Cytalux?
Cytalux is marketed by On Target Labs. You can see On Target Labs's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Cytalux a brand-name or generic drug?
Cytalux is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Pafolacianine Sodium.
Is Cytalux available over the counter?
No. Cytalux is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Cytalux come in?
Cytalux is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
Is Cytalux FDA-registered?
Cytalux is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA214907. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Is Cytalux safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Cytalux. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Cytalux?
Cytalux's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: 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,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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