Bevacizumab

Avastin is a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of: Metastatic colorectal cancer, in combination with intravenous fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for first- or second-line treatment. ( 1.1 ) Metastatic colorectal cancer, in combination with fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan- or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for second-line treatment in patients who have progressed on a first-line bevacizumab product-containing regimen. ( 1.1 ) Limitations of Use : Avastin is not indicated for adjuvant treatment of colon cancer. …

• Withhold for at least 28 days prior to elective surgery
• Do not administer Avastin for 28 days following major surgery and until adequate wound healing
• Metastatic colorectal cancer 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks with bolus-IFL 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks with FOLFOX4 5 mg/ kg every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks with fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan- or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy after progression on a first-line bevacizumab product-containing regimen First-line non–squamous non–small cell lung cancer 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with carboplatin and paclitaxel Recurrent glioblastoma 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks Metastatic renal cell carcinoma 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks with interferon alfa Persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with paclitaxel and cisplatin, or paclitaxel and topotecan Stage III or IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer following initial surgical resection 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with carboplatin and paclitaxel for up to 6 cycles, followed by 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks as a single agent, for a total of up to 22 cycles Platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks with paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan given every week 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with topotecan given every 3 weeks Platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with carboplatin and paclitaxel for 6-8 cycles, follow …

Injection: 100 mg/4 mL (25 mg/mL) or 400 mg/16 mL (25 mg/mL) clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale brown solution in a single-dose vial. Injection: 100 mg/4 mL (25 mg/mL) or 400 mg/16 mL (25 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial ( 3 )

• The safety and effectiveness of Avastin
• In pediatric patients have not been established
• In published literature reports, cases of non-mandibular osteonecrosis have been observed in patients under the age of 18 years who received Avastin
• Avastin is not approved for use in patients under the age of 18 years
• Antitumor activity was not observed among eight
• Pediatric patients with relapsed GBM who received bevacizumab and irinotecan. …

In an exploratory pooled analysis of 1745 patients from five randomized, controlled studies, 35% of patients were ≥ 65 years old. The overall incidence of ATE was increased in all patients receiving Avastin with chemotherapy as compared to those receiving chemotherapy alone, regardless of age; however, the increase in the incidence of ATE was greater in patients ≥ 65 years (8% vs. 3%) as compared to patients < 65 years (2% vs. …

• Gastrointestinal Perforations and Fistulae : Avastin may increase the risk of developing gastrointestinal perforations and fistulae
• Advise patients to immediately contact their healthcare provider for high fever, rigors, persistent or severe abdominal pain, severe constipation, or vomiting [ see Warnings and Precautions ]
• Surgery and Wound Healing Complications : Avastin can increase the risk of wound healing complications
• Instruct patients not to undergo surgery without first discussing this potential risk with their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions ]
• Hemorrhage : Avastin can increase the risk of hemorrhage. …

• None
• None

Effects of Avastin on Other Drugs No clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of irinotecan or its active metabolite SN38, interferon alfa, carboplatin or paclitaxel was observed when Avastin was administered in combination with these drugs; however, 3 of the 8 patients receiving Avastin with paclitaxel and carboplatin had lower paclitaxel exposure after four cycles of treatment (at Day 63) than those at Day 0, while patients receiving paclitaxel and carboplatin alone had a greater paclitaxel exposure at Day 63 than at Day 0.

Gastrointestinal Perforations and Fistula : Discontinue for gastrointestinal perforations, tracheoesophageal fistula, grade 4 fistula, or fistula formation involving any organ ( 5.1 ) Surgery and Wound Healing Complications : In patients who experience wound healing complications during Avastin treatment, withhold Avastin until adequate wound healing. Withhold for at least 28 days prior to elective surgery. Do not administer Avastin for at least 28 days following a major surgery, and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of AVASTIN after resolution of wound healing complication has not been established. Discontinue for wound healing complication of necrotizing fasciitis. …

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Gastrointestinal Perforations and Fistulae [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Surgery and Wound Healing Complications [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Arterial Thromboembolic Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]. Venous Thromboembolic Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]. Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ]. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ]. Renal Injury and Proteinuria [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ]. …

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ], Avastin may cause fetal harm in pregnant women. Limited postmarketing reports describe cases of fetal malformations with use of Avastin in pregnancy; however, these reports are insufficient to determine drug-associated risks. …

Store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the original carton until time of use to protect from light. Do not freeze or shake the vial or carton.

Take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Then skip the missed one. Never take two doses at once to make up for it. Check your leaflet, as some medicines are different.