Avastin prescribing information |
|
 |
|
Avastin Description
Avastin is usually prescribed for patients with certain types of cancers which have spread past their point of origin. It is often in combination with chemotherapy agents such as taxol with irinotecan and capecitabine or vinoreldine. Avastin is an immunotherapy agent which acts as the antibody’s own immune system to protect the body against viral or bacterial attach, except they have been artificially made to destroy cancer cells. They prevent the spread and growth of tumor cells by cutting off blood supply to these cells which require nutrients and oxygen supply from blood vessels.
About the Drug
When a substance called Vascular Epidermal Growth Factor (VEGF) binds to its corresponding receptor, it allows blood vessel growth around the tumor. The growth of blood vessels around the tumor cells supplies them with nutrients and oxygen which enables them to grow rapidly. Avastin is a protein based drug which prevents the bond between VEGF and its receptor hence preventing the growth of blood vessels around the tumour cells and in doing so prevents their growth and spreading. In doing so, Avastin is thought to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
How to Take Avastin
Due to its composition Avastin is harsh on the stomach therefore it cannot be taken orally. It is instead delivered intravenously by injecting into the arm or hand. The initial treatment is a continuous infusion for 90 minutes following chemotherapy. This is then followed up with a forthrightly maintenance dose which is usually decreased over time according to doctor’s recommendations based on the patient’s response. The patient is monitored regularly for breathing, blood pressure and heart rate in order to decide infusion rate and look out for allergies that might require termination of the treatment. Paracetamol as well as an antihistamine may be given prior to infusion of Avastin as a preventative for mild reactions. The length and nature of treatment is often decided by the individual case and as long as patients continue to respond, treatment is continued. However if patients do not respond to treatment after a given period (usually 2-3 chemotherapy cycles) then it is stopped.
Possible Side Effects
The side effects which may occur when taking Avastin in combination with chemotherapy differs from that which may occur in single therapy with Avastin alone. Avastin by itself is usually well tolerated and does not exacerbate the side effects from chemotherapy. Nonetheless some of the possible side effects associated with Avastin include: rise in blood pressure, increase in protein levels in urine, bowel bleeding, slower wound healing, minimal nose bleeding and an increased tendency of blood clotting.
Drug Interaction
Discus any drugs and herbal remedies with your doctor before commencing treatment with Avastin. Do not take or stop taking any medication otherwise.
Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
Women should avoid getting pregnant within the 6 months period after therapy as this may put the child at risk. Likewise women should avoid breastfeeding in this same period. The drug is not recommended for pregnant of breastfeeding mothers.
Avastin notes
Avastin (bevacizumab) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody. It is an angiogenesis inhibitor, which cuts off the independent blood supply that a tumor develops to feed and oxygenate itself. A molecularly targeted therapy, Avastin neutralizes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a chemical signal that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, or angiogenesis. Avastin is prescribed for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, Non-Squamous Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer, Metastatic Breast Cancer and Glioblastoma.
Avastin should be administered only as an intravenous (IV) infusion. It should not be administered or mixed with dextrose solution. Avastin should not be initiated until at least 28 days following major surgery. The dosage form and strength can either be 100mg per 4 ml or 400mg per 16 ml, both on single-use vial. The intake of avastin may result in adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal perforations, surgery and wound healing complications, hemorrhage, non-gastrointestinal fistula formation, arterial thromboembolic events, hypertensive crisis, reversible posterior eukoencephalopathy syndrome and proteinuria.
The most common undesirable reactions observed in Avastin patients are epistaxis, headache, hypertension, rhinitis, taste alteration, dry skin, rectal hemorrhage, lacrimation disorder, and exfoliative. dermatitis.
Administration of avastin alone has proved to be effective in treating cancer. A patient who might live for less than a year could opt for avastin to promote better quality of life and avoid the toxic side effects of chemotherapy.
Avastin review article...
|
|
Anti-cancer drugs
 Avastin prescribing information
Buy here
|
|
My Basket
