AVASTIN 400MG INJECTION

Introduction:

Avastin 400mg Injection is an anticancer medicine consisting of the active ingredient Bevacizumab. This medicine is developed to prevent the growth of tumors. It is indicated along with other chemotherapy drugs to treat metastatic breast cancer, brain cancer, cervical cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. It is also used to treat cancers of the ovary, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. Use effective birth control during the treatment and for at least six months after the last dose. Avastin 400mg Injection is not recommended for adolescents and children under the age of 18. Discuss with your doctor about the preservation of ovaries if you are planning for pregnancy in the near future as this medicine may cause fertility issues in women. It would be best to avoid breastfeeding your baby as this medicine may interfere with growth and development.

Avastin 400mg Injection is often administered in a combination with other chemotherapy agents. Constipation, appetite loss, runny nose, fever, skin problems, and weight loss are common side effects of Avastin 400mg Injection. Before starting treatment with this medicine, let your doctor know if you have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, stomach disorders, or heart problems. This medicine should not be taken for 28 days before and after surgery as it is associated with poor wound healing and high bleeding complications. It is advised to report to your doctor if you have any dental issues that require surgery before taking this medicine. In case you develop any visual changes or confusion report to your doctor to prevent complications.

Uses of Avastin 400mg Injection:

Avastin 400mg Injection is indicated to treat the following conditions:

• Glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer)
• Persistent, recurrent, or metastatic breast cancer
• Metastatic cervical cancer
• Advanced kidney cancer
• Metastatic colorectal cancer
• Advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
• Liver Cancer- Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Cancers of the ovary, cervical, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer

How Avastin 400mg Injection works?

Avastin 400mg Injection is a humanized monolconoal antibody that wors as a targeted therapy in the treatment of various advanced cancers. It produces its action by selectively binding to the protein called vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), present in the lining of blood and lymph vessels in the body. It interrupts the interaction of VEGF-A with its receptors. This further inhibits the formation of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the tumor. As a result, it slows down the rate of progression of cancer.

Interaction with other drugs:

Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or have taken before the treatment.

How to store Avastin 400mg Injection?

• Store Avastin 400mg Injection at 2˚C to 8˚C. Do not freeze or shake.
• Protect from light. Keep out of reach of children.

References:

1. Roche Products Limited, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on Jan 2022] [Accessed on 30/06/2022], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3885.pdf
2. G.G. Dark, A.R. Abdul Razak, Oncology, Davidson's Principles & Practice of Medicine, 22nd Edition, 2014, 259-282.
3. KD Tripathi, Anticancer Drugs, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th Edition, 2019, 915-936.
4. Edward Chu, Cancer Chemotherapy, Lange’s Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 948-976.
5. Roche Group, U.S FDA, [Revised on Jan 2021][ Accessed on 30/06/2022], https://www.gene.com/download/pdf/avastin_prescribing.pdf

How to consume Avastin 400mg Injection:

Your physician or nurse will administer Avastin 400mg Injection as an intravenous infusion. The infusion should be given immediately after the dilution.

Safety Advice:

Pregnancy:

Inform your physician before starting your treatment with Avastin 400mg Injection in case, if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy as this medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby and interrupt the formation of blood vessels.

Breastfeeding: 

It is recommended to avoid breastfeeding for a minimum of 6 months after your treatment with Avastin 400mg Injection as this medicine may interfere with the growth of your child.

Liver:

Inform your physician before starting Avastin 400mg Injection if you have liver diseases to avoid any serious side effects.

Kidney:

Inform your physician before starting Avastin 400mg Injection if you have kidney diseases to avoid any serious side effects.

Alcohol:

Consult your doctor if it is safe to consume while you are on treatment with Avastin 400mg Injection as only limited studies are available.

Driving: 

Avoid driving or using machinery while you are on your treatment with Avastin 400mg Injection as it is related to cause dizziness or sleepiness.

Others:

Inform your physician if you:

• Have conditions involving inflammation in the stomach (ulcer, colitis).
• Experience allergic reactions to Bevacizumab or its ingredients.
• Have recently undergone surgery as it is associated with the risk of bleeding.
• Have diabetes, hypertension, or heart problems.
• If you are planning for pregnancy in near future, discuss with your doctor about the effective contraceptive methods for about 6 months after the last dose of Avastin 400mg Injection.

Side Effects:

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.

The side effects of Avastin 400mg Injection is listed below

Serious:

• Headache
• Vision changes
• Confusion
• Severe allergic reactions
• High Blood pressure
• Delayed wound healing following surgery
• Protein in urine
• Severe infections
• Blood clots in arteries and blood vessels of lungs
• Gut perforation
• Nose bleeds and bleeding risk
• Heart problems with an increase in heart rate
• Mouth sores, dryness
• Shortness of breath

Common:

• Numbness in hands or feet
• Weakness and lack of energy
• Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Changes in taste and speech
• Decrease in counts of white blood cells
• Fever
• Dry skin
• Back pain