Frequently Asked Questions About CAMZYOS® and Symptomatic oHCM
Elani is currently receiving CAMZYOS. Elani and her mother received compensation for their participation. Results may vary.
Have questions about obstructive HCM or CAMZYOS? You’re in the right place. Browse the questions below or jump to the section most relevant to you.
About Obstructive HCM
HCM is a type of heart condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick and stiff, making it harder for the heart to fill with blood and for blood to flow out to the body. When this muscle thickening is severe enough to block or reduce blood flow, it is called obstructive HCM.
This can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, feeling light-headed, and fatigue — especially during physical activity. When you experience symptoms due to your oHCM, it is called symptomatic oHCM. You may also hear obstructive HCM being called HOCM (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy), which is the same condition.
HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) is a condition in which the heart muscle wall becomes thickened and stiff. When this thickening is severe enough to block or reduce blood flow out of the heart, it is called obstructive HCM, or oHCM. Obstructive HCM is the most common type of HCM — the majority of people with HCM have been diagnosed with the obstructive form.
In most cases, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), also known as obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM), is an inherited condition that affects the muscle of the heart. It is caused by mutations in different genes that affect the structure, function, and organization of heart muscle cells. Obstructive HCM causes the heart muscle to become abnormally thick at the septal wall between the left and right sides of the heart, which causes obstruction of blood flow from the heart during each contraction.
Yes. HOCM (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy) and oHCM (obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) refer to the same condition. You may hear both terms from your doctor. On this site, we use oHCM — but both terms describe the same heart condition.
HCM is estimated to impact between 1 in 200 and 1 in 500 people worldwide — making it one of the most common inherited heart conditions. The majority of people with HCM have been diagnosed with the obstructive form.
Common symptoms of obstructive HCM can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Feeling light-headed
- Fainting
- Fatigue
These symptoms often occur during physical activity and can worsen over time. People with obstructive HCM may experience additional symptoms not listed here. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor.
In oHCM, “obstruction” means that the heart muscle has become thicker than normal, narrowing the pathway for blood flow out of the heart and making it harder for oxygen-rich blood to pump throughout the body. When the heart contracts, blood flows from the heart and out into the body through a pathway called the left ventricular outflow tract, or LVOT. (Obstruction in oHCM is measured by the LVOT gradient, or the measurement of pressure through this pathway.) As a result, people with oHCM may experience symptoms (such as shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, fainting) that make everyday activities—such as walking, climbing stairs, or keeping up with friends and family—more difficult.
Yes. Obstructive HCM can progress over time — which is why it’s important to monitor your symptoms and keep your doctor informed about any changes. If you’re still experiencing symptoms while on your current oHCM medication, talk to your cardiologist. You don’t have to wait for symptoms to worsen before exploring your options.
Since oHCM is a heart disease that can be inherited, genetic testing may be recommended for close relatives of someone who has been diagnosed. Talk to your doctor about whether genetic screening is right for you. Early detection can help identify oHCM before symptoms develop and allow for closer monitoring over time.
About CAMZYOS
CAMZYOS is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with symptomatic obstructive HCM. CAMZYOS may improve your symptoms and your ability to be active. It is the first FDA-approved cardiac myosin inhibitor — a first-in-class treatment specifically designed to target an overactive protein in the heart called myosin, a key cause of obstructive HCM. It is not known if CAMZYOS is safe and effective in children.
CAMZYOS is used to treat adults with symptomatic obstructive HCM.
A cardiac myosin inhibitor is a type of medicine that works by turning off overactive myosin, and putting the myosin in a super-relaxed state. Myosin is a protein in the heart muscle that helps the heart contract. In someone with obstructive HCM, too many myosin proteins are active at once, causing the heart muscle to squeeze too hard and the heart walls to thicken. CMIs are part of a drug class FDA-approved specifically for adults with symptomatic oHCM. CAMZYOS is the first FDA-approved cardiac myosin inhibitor.
CAMZYOS works directly with the myosin proteins in your heart. Think of it this way: in a healthy heart, myosin proteins take turns “pulling” to help the heart contract (squeeze) and relax. In obstructive HCM, too many are pulling at once.
CAMZYOS helps more of those proteins take a break — letting your heart muscle relax and pump more normally. When your heart can relax, this may help:
- Improve how your heart fills with blood
- Reduce how hard your heart has to work to pump blood to the rest of your body
- Reduce the energy your heart uses for each heartbeat
Traditional oHCM medications include beta-blockers (BB), calcium channel blockers (CCB), and disopyramide. These medications are used for managing symptoms of oHCM, but most are not approved by the FDA specifically for oHCM. Some data show that beta-blockers may also address the obstruction.
CAMZYOS was specifically designed to target myosin — and can treat both oHCM symptoms and the obstruction. CAMZYOS is a first-in-class cardiac myosin inhibitor and has been studied longer than any other medication of its kind.*
*Based on 3 clinical studies: EXPLORER-HCM, EXPLORER-LTE, and VALOR-HCM LTE.
CAMZYOS is approved for adults 18 years and older with symptomatic obstructive HCM classified as NYHA Class 2 or 3. It is not known if CAMZYOS is safe and effective in children. Talk to your doctor to find out if CAMZYOS may be right for you.
Knowing your LVOT gradient — a measure of how much the obstruction is making it harder for blood to leave your heart — is an important part of managing obstructive HCM. Regular monitoring through echocardiograms helps your doctor understand how serious your obstruction is, track changes over time, and see how well your treatment is working. Ask your cardiologist about your numbers and what they mean for your care.
CAMZYOS may cause serious side effects, including heart failure — a condition where the heart cannot pump with enough force, which can lead to death. Get medical help right away if you experience new or worsening:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Leg swelling
- Racing heart (palpitations)
- Rapid weight gain
The most common side effects of CAMZYOS include dizziness and fainting (syncope). Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Because CAMZYOS can cause the heart to become too relaxed in some patients — increasing the risk of heart failure — it is only available through the CAMZYOS Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program, a safety program required by the FDA. Both you and your healthcare provider must be enrolled before you can receive the medication. CAMZYOS is only dispensed through REMS-certified specialty pharmacies and is not available at local retail pharmacies.
Echocardiograms (echos) allow your doctor to see how your heart is responding to CAMZYOS and to check that it is functioning properly during treatment. They are a required part of the CAMZYOS REMS program. You will need an echo before your first dose, then at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after starting treatment. Once you are on a stable dose, most patients need echos every 6 months. Your doctor will determine your individual schedule.
Taking CAMZYOS & Getting Support
CAMZYOS is a once-daily capsule that can be taken with or without food. Take CAMZYOS exactly as your healthcare provider directs. Do not change your dose, stop taking CAMZYOS, or start a new medicine without first talking to your doctor. If you take too much CAMZYOS, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
If you forget to take your dose of CAMZYOS, take it as soon as you remember. However, skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose, and resume your regular schedule the next day. Do not take two doses in one day to catch up.
Before starting CAMZYOS, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. CAMZYOS may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are using birth control, or are breastfeeding. Inform them about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Also let your doctor know if you are developing an infection.
If your CAMZYOS prescription is denied, you can call our MyCAMZYOS Patient Support Program, which can help you understand your prescription insurance coverage and your out-of-pocket costs.
There are also resources available to help understand your rights after a prescription denial, navigate next steps, and learn more about how your healthcare provider may be able to support you.
Yes, MyCAMZYOS is a Patient Support Program that supports you during your treatment with CAMZYOS. Patient Access Specialists (PAS) can help you understand your insurance coverage and provide information on access/assistance programs based on eligibility criteria.
The CAMZYOS Finder can help you locate a REMS-certified healthcare provider near you with experience prescribing CAMZYOS.
Use the CAMZYOS Finder to search for a local healthcare provider
Being there for someone with obstructive HCM starts with understanding their condition and treatment journey. You can help by joining them at doctor appointments, helping them keep track of their echocardiogram schedule, and encouraging them to speak up about any new or changing symptoms.
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