Information About Avastin

Common uses
Avastin is a monoclonal antibody used in combination with other cancer medicines to treat colon or rectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Avastin reduces the growth of new blood vessels. By reducing the growth of new blood vessels, the supply of oxygen and nutrients cancer cells need to survive is reduced. This may help to slow growth of cancer cells. Avastin is not a cure for colorectal cancer. Your physician may determine that Avastin could be used to treat other conditions.

Prior to Use
Avastin may rarely cause holes in the stomach or intestine that, in serious cases, may be fatal. Contact your physician immediately if you develop unusual abdominal pain, constipation, and/or vomiting. Avastin may rarely cause the rupture or splitting of wounds. These complications may rarely be fatal. You should not take Avastin in patients who have had surgery in the last 28 days or in patients who have an incision that has not completely healed. Avastin may cause bleeding at tumor sites that may cause serious problems depending on the location of the tumor. Some patients treated with Avastin as part of their chemotherapy regimen for non-small cell lung cancer experienced coughing up of blood from the lungs that was serious and in some cases fatal. You should not take Avastin if you have recently experienced coughing up of blood. Discuss the risks and benefits of using Avastin with your physician. Be aware that pre-existing medical conditions, or taking additional medications could interfere with the effectiveness of this one. Inform your physician or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines that you are taking. If you are taking any of the following, your dose or condition may need regular supervision: medicines for high blood pressure. Do not start or stop any medicine without physician or pharmacist approval. Inform your physician of any other medical conditions including uncontrolled high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, allergies (including allergies to mouse or murine proteins), pregnancy, or breast-feeding. You should not take Avastin if you have a history of coughing up blood, high blood pressure crisis, surgery within the last 28 days, tear or hole in the stomach or intestine, or problems with wound healing or splitting. If you have questions or concerns about Avastin, be sure to let your physician or pharmacist know.

Instructions for Use
Follow your physician's instructions for taking Avastin. Avastin is usually administered as an injection at your physician's office, hospital, or clinic. If the medicine contains particles or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it. Do not shake the medicine. If nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite occurs, ask your physician nurse, or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects. Store Avastin in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C) prior to mixing. Do not freeze After mixing, the medicine may be stored in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C) for up to 8 hours. Discard any unused medicine immediately. Should you skip or forget a dose of Avastin, contact your physician immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.

Warnings
Do not use Avastin if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. Keep all physician and laboratory appointments while you are taking Avastin. Laboratory and/or medical tests such as blood pressure measurements or certain tests that measure the amount of protein in your urine may be done while you are taking Avastin to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Avastin may affect the way your body heals before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the physician or dentist that you are using Avastin. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, consult your pharmacist or physician . Caution is advised when using Avastin in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of Avastin. Women, if you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your physician the benefits and risks of using Avastin during pregnancy. The effects of Avastin on breast milk is not known. You should not breast-feed if you are using Avastin or for a period of time after using Avastin. Contact your physician for more information.

Potential Side Effects
Side effects that may occur while using Avastin include pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; weakness; tiredness; diarrhea; constipation; dry mouth; nausea; vomiting; or muscle aches. If they continue or become bothersome, check with your physician. Contact your physician as soon as possible if you experience nosebleeds, fever, sore throat, rash, or peeling of skin. Contact your physician immediately if you experience abdominal pain with constipation and vomiting, coughing up or vomiting of blood, black/tarry stools, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe or pounding headache, cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain, unusual weight gain, confusion, loss of coordination, or numbness or loss of feeling. An allergic reaction to Avastin is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. Let your physician, pharmacist, or nurse know if you experience any side-effects not listed here.

Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job.

In Case of Overdose
Contact a poison control center or visit an emergency room immediately, if you think you have overdosed.

Additional information
Do not let anyone else use Avastin. Do not take Avastin to treat health conditions other than what it was prescribed for. Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your physician, nurse, or pharmacist to explain local regulations for selecting an appropriate container and properly disposing of the container when it is full.