Avastin – composition, dosage, side effects, price. How does this anti-cancer drug work?

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Avastin is a drug used in clinical oncology. It is often used in the treatment of rectal and colon cancer. However, there are a number of contraindications that exclude the use of Avastin.

Avastin – Action

Avastin is used to treat a variety of cancers depending on combination with other medicines:

  1. in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy – metastatic cancer of the colon or rectum in adult patients;
  2. in combination with palitaxel-based chemotherapy – disseminated breast cancer in adult patients;
  3. in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy – advanced non-small cell lung cancer in adult patients;
  4. in combination with interfenor-based chemotherapy, advanced kidney cancer in adult patients.

Avastin – composition

Each milliliter of the drug contains 25 mg of bevacizumab, which is a recombinant monoclonal antibody. DNA technology is used for its production in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Avastin – dosage

Avastin is given to you by intravenous infusion under close medical supervision. The first infusion should be over 90 minutes. If taken well, the second dose may be shortened to 60 minutes. In turn, the third and each subsequent one – up to 30 minutes.

Avastin – precautions

Particular care must be taken when treating with Avastin. Especially that one of the side effects is intestinal perforation. Should this occur, Avastin therapy should be discontinued immediately. The drug also slows down the wound healing process, which is also worth paying attention to.

Avastin – contraindications

The main contraindication to the use of Avastin is hypersensitivity to any of the substances in the drug. In addition, the oncologist should know about other medications the patient is taking.

Avastin – side effects

The most common side effects of using Avastin are:

  1. leukopenia (low blood levels of leukocytes);
  2. thrombocytopenia;
  3. neutropenia (low levels of neutrophils, which are one type of leukocyte);
  4. peripheral sensory neuropathy;
  5. hypertension;
  6. diarrhea;
  7. nausea;
  8. vomiting;
  9. asthenia (weakness);
  10. exhaustion;
  11. taste disturbance;
  12. Headache;
  13. dry skin;
  14. mouth infection;
  15. proteinuria;
  16. fever;
  17. skin discoloration;
  18. exfoliating dermatitis;
  19. blurred vision;
  20. shortness of breath;
  21. epistaxis;
  22. rhinitis.

The most serious side effects of Avastin are: intestinal perforation (intestinal perforation), fistulas and arterial thrombosis.

Avastin – cena

Avastin is a non-reimbursed drug. Its price is PLN 567 per package.

Avastin – pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy, expectant mothers should not take Avastin, as there is a risk of harm to the fetus. In addition, contraception should be used in women of childbearing potential. During therapy, you must not breastfeed, which is also contraindicated for up to six months after receiving the last dose. Bevacizumab may lead to irreversible ovarian failure.

Also read: Troublesome Avastin – what about breast cancer treatment?

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