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What is Avastin
 Avastin
is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Avastin interferes
with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and
spread in the body.
Avastin
is used in the treatment of cancers of the colon and rectum.
Avastin
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Avastin
Avastin should only be administered under the supervision
of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use
of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Serious side effects
have been reported with the use of Avastin including: severe
allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; hives; and
low blood pressure); stomach problems (holes in the stomach
or intestines); bleeding problems (nosebleeds; bleeding
in the lungs, stomach, or head); poor wound healing or wound
reopening; severe high blood pressure; kidney problems;
heart problems; stroke; chest pain; and others. Talk to
your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment
with Avastin.
Do not have surgery without first talking
to your doctor during or in the month following treatment
with Avastin. Wound healing may be poor during and immediately
following treatment with Avastin, possibly resulting in
bleeding or infection. It may be necessary to stop treatment
with Avastin for a period of time if surgery is necessary.
What you should discuss with your doctor before
using Avastin Do not have surgery without first talking to your
doctor during or in the month following treatment with Avastin.
Wound healing may be poor during and immediately following
treatment with Avastin, possibly resulting in bleeding or
infection. It may be necessary to stop treatment with Avastin
for a period of time if surgery is necessary.
Before
using Avastin, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver
disease;
- kidney disease;
- heart disease
or high blood pressure;
- a history of stroke, transient
ischemic attack (mini-stroke), or bleeding in the brain;
or
- an open wound.
You may not be able to
use Avastin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment.
Avastin is in the FDA
pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether
Avastin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Avastin
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment. Discuss with
your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during
treatment with Avastin if necessary.
It is not known
whether Avastin passes into breast milk. Do not take Avastin
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding
a baby.
If you are over 60 years of age, you may
be more likely to experience side effects from Avastin.
You may require a lower dose of this medication.
How should you use Avastin Avastin should only be administered under the supervision
of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use
of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Avastin is administered
as an intravenous (into the vein) infusion. Most often,
Avastin is administered in a hospital or clinic setting.
If you are administering Avastin at home, your healthcare
provider will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation,
administration, and storage of the medication.
Your
doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of
treatment with Avastin depending upon the type of cancer
being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if
you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment
schedule.
Your doctor will probably want you to have
regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations
during treatment with Avastin to monitor progress and side
effects.
Your healthcare provider will store Avastin
as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing Avastin
at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare
provider.
If you miss a dose: Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of Avastin.
What happens if you overdose: If an overdose of Avastin is suspected, seek emergency
medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Symptoms of a Avastin overdose are not well known
but may include headache.
What should you avoid while using Avastin Do not have surgery without first talking to your
doctor during or in the month following treatment with Avastin.
Wound healing may be poor during and immediately following
treatment with Avastin, possibly resulting in bleeding or
infection. It may be necessary to stop treatment with Avastin
for a period of time if surgery is necessary.
Possible side effects of Avastin Serious side effects have been reported with the
use of Avastin including: severe allergic reactions (difficulty
breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips,
tongue, or face; hives; and low blood pressure); stomach
problems (perforation of the stomach or intestines); bleeding
problems (nosebleeds; bleeding in the lungs, stomach, or
head); poor wound healing or wound reopening; severe high
blood pressure; kidney problems; heart problems; stroke;
chest pain; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible
side effects from treatment with Avastin.
If you
experience any of the following serious side effects from
Avastin, seek emergency medical attention or contact your
doctor immediately:
- constipation, vomiting, abdominal
pain (may indicate stomach problems);
- leukopenia
(an abnormal lowering of the white blood cell count). Symptoms
of leukopenia including fever or signs of infection;
-
proteinuria (the presence of excessive amounts of protein
in the urine);
- nosebleed, coughing up blood, blood
in vomit or stools, dizziness, loss of consciousness, severe
weakness or paralysis (may indicate bleeding problems such
as bleeding in the lungs, stomach, or head);
- poor
wound healing;
- redness of the face, severe headache
(may indicate severe high blood pressure);
- little
or no urine production (may indicate kidney problems);
-
chest pain, difficulty breathing, swelling or water retention
(may indicate heart problems);
- redness, pain, or
swelling of the leg (may indicate blood clot in the leg);
or
- chest pain or shortness of breath (may indicate
blood clot in the lung).
Other, less serious side
effects may also occur. Continue to use Avastin and talk
to your doctor if you experience:
- diarrhea;
-
nausea or decreased appetite;
- weakness;
-
headache;
- dizziness;
- skin rash;
-
swelling of the tongue or sores in the mouth; or
-
hair loss.
Side effects other than those listed here
have also been reported. Discuss with your doctor any side
effect that occurs during treatment with Avastin.
What other drugs will affect Avastin
Other
medications may interact with Avastin. Talk to your doctor
and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products,
during treatment with Avastin. |
