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AVASTIN®
AVASTIN contains the active ingredient bevacizumab.
AVASTIN is used in combination with other chemotherapy agents to treat metastatic (spreading) colorectal cancer.
AVASTIN belongs to a group of medicines known as antineoplastic (or anti-cancer) agents. There are many different classes of antineoplastic agents. AVASTIN belongs to a class called monoclonal antibodies.
Monoclonal antibodies are proteins which specifically recognise and bind to other unique proteins in the body.
AVASTIN selectively binds to a protein called human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is found in the lining of blood and lymph vessels in the body. VEGF is overexpressed in tumours causing blood vessels to grow which provide the tumour with nutrients and oxygen. Once AVASTIN is bound to VEGF, it stops VEGF working properly. This has the effect of preventing tumour growth by blocking the growth of the blood vessels providing the nutrients and oxygen to the tumour.
There are many different types of medicines used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer. Your doctor, however, may have prescribed AVASTIN for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why AVASTIN has been prescribed for you. This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being treated with AVASTIN.
AVASTIN helps most people with metastatic colorectal cancer, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
As AVASTIN is used with other medicines that treat metastatic colorectal cancer, it may be difficult for your doctor to tell whether the side effects are due to AVASTIN or due to the other medicines.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
high blood pressure
body pain
lack of energy, unusual tiredness or weakness
diarrhoea
nausea
constipation
bleeding (including from the mouth, rectum or vagina)
sore mouth, mouth ulcers and cold sores
loss of appetite
shortness of breath
nose bleed
runny nose
dry skin, scaling and inflammation of the skin, change in skin colour
change in sense of taste
eye problems
dizziness, feeling faint
headache
sleepiness, drowsiness
wounds that do not heal
frequent infections with symptoms such as fever, severe chills or sore throat.
These are the more common side effects of AVASTIN. Mostly these are mild.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following:
severe body or abdominal pain
severe diarrhoea
pain and/or swelling in the lower legs, feet or hands
severe bleeding
seizures, headache, abnormal thinking, visual disturbances
abscesses (localised pus-filled sores)
severe infection with high fever, chills, headache, confusions and rapid breathing
These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything in this list.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
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