Avastin

What is Avastin ?
Avastin (bevacizumab) is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Avastin is used to treat a certain type of brain tumor, and certain types of cancers of the kidney, lung, colon and rectum. It is usually given as part of a combination of cancer medicines.
Avastin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Avastin

Treatment with Avastin may cause you to have problems with wound healing, which could result in bleeding or infection. If you need to have any type of surgery, you will need to stop receiving Avastin at least 4 weeks ahead of time. Do not start using Avastin for at least 4 weeks after surgery, or until your surgical incision heals.
Before being treated with Avastin, tell your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, or a history of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, or stomach or intestinal bleeding (including perforation).Some people receiving a Avastin injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, itchy, or have a fast heartbeat, chills, wheezing, or chest pain during the injection

Before receiving Avastin

You should not use Avastin if you are allergic to bevacizumab, or if you have:

• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
• severe or uncontrolled bleeding;
• an open skin wound;
• an open surgical incision;
• if you have had surgery within the past 4 weeks (28 days);
• if you have recently been coughing up blood; or
• if you plan to have surgery within the next 4 weeks (28 days).

To make sure you can safely receive Avastin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
• a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding;
• a history of perforation (a hole or tear) in your esophagus, stomach, or intestines;
• heart disease, congestive heart failure;
• high blood pressure; or
• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Avastin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using bevacizumab. Avastin may cause a woman's ovaries to stop working correctly. Symptoms of ovarian failure include 3 or more missed menstrual periods in a row. This may affect your fertility (ability to have children). Talk to your doctor about your specific risks. It is not known whether bevacizumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are being treated with Avastin. Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from Avastin