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Prescription Medications

Avastin

AVASTIN- bevacizumab injection, solution
Genentech, Inc.

WARNING: GASTROINTESTINAL PERFORATIONS, SURGERY AND WOUND HEALING COMPLICATIONS, and HEMORRHAGE

Gastrointestinal Perforations

The incidence of gastrointestinal perforation, some fatal, in Avastin-treated patients ranges from 0.3 to 2.4%. Discontinue Avastin in patients with gastrointestinal perforation. [See Dosage and Administration (2.4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1).]

Surgery and Wound Healing Complications

The incidence of wound healing and surgical complications, including serious and fatal complications, is increased in Avastin-treated patients. Discontinue Avastin in patients with wound dehiscence. The appropriate interval between termination of Avastin and subsequent elective surgery required to reduce the risks of impaired wound healing/wound dehiscence has not been determined. Discontinue at least 28 days prior to elective surgery. Do not initiate Avastin for at least 28 days after surgery and until the surgical wound is fully healed. [See Dosage and Administration (2.4), Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Adverse Reactions (6.1).]

Hemorrhage

Severe or fatal hemorrhage, including hemoptysis, gastrointestinal bleeding, central nervous systems (CNS) hemorrhage, epistaxis, and vaginal bleeding occurred up to five-fold more frequently in patients receiving Avastin. Do not administer Avastin to patients with serious hemorrhage or recent hemoptysis. [See Dosage and Administration (2.4), Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Adverse Reactions (6.1).]

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC)

Avastin is indicated for the first- or second-line treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy.

Avastin, in combination with fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan- or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, is indicated for the second-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have progressed on a first-line Avastin-containing regimen.

Limitation of Use: Avastin is not indicated for adjuvant treatment of colon cancer. [See Clinical Studies (14.2).]

1.2 Non-Squamous Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Avastin is indicated for the first-line treatment of unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non–squamous non–small cell lung cancer in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

1.3 Glioblastoma

Avastin is indicated for the treatment of glioblastoma with progressive disease in adult patients following prior therapy as a single agent.

The effectiveness of Avastin in glioblastoma is based on an improvement in objective response rate. There are no data demonstrating an improvement in disease-related symptoms or increased survival with Avastin. [See Clinical Studies (14.4).]

1.4 Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC)

Avastin is indicated for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in combination with interferon alfa.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Administration

Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus. Administer only as an intravenous (IV) infusion.

  • Do not initiate Avastin until at least 28 days following major surgery. Administer Avastin after the surgical incision has fully healed.
  • First infusion: Administer infusion over 90 minutes.
  • Subsequent infusions: Administer second infusion over 60 minutes if first infusion is tolerated; administer all subsequent infusions over 30 minutes if infusion over 60 minutes is tolerated.

2.2 Recommended Doses and Schedules

Patients should continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC)

The recommended doses are 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks when used in combination with intravenous 5-FU-based chemotherapy.

  • Administer 5 mg/kg when used in combination with bolus-IFL.
  • Administer 10 mg/kg when used in combination with FOLFOX4.
  • Administer 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks when used in combination with a fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin based chemotherapy regimen in patients who have progressed on a first-line Avastin-containing regimen.

Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

The recommended dose is 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Glioblastoma

The recommended dose is 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC)

The recommended dose is 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks in combination with interferon alfa.

2.3 Preparation for Administration

Use appropriate aseptic technique. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Withdraw necessary amount of Avastin and dilute in a total volume of 100 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. Discard any unused portion left in a vial, as the product contains no preservatives.

DO NOT ADMINISTER OR MIX WITH DEXTROSE SOLUTION.

2.4 Dose Modifications

There are no recommended dose reductions.

Discontinue Avastin for:

Temporarily suspend Avastin for:

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

100 mg per 4 mL single-use vial

400 mg per 16 mL single-use vial

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Gastrointestinal Perforations

Serious and sometimes fatal gastrointestinal perforation occurs at a higher incidence in Avastin treated patients compared to controls. The incidence of gastrointestinal perforation ranged from 0.3 to 2.4% across clinical studies. [See Adverse Reactions (6.1).]

The typical presentation may include abdominal pain, nausea, emesis, constipation, and fever. Perforation can be complicated by intra-abdominal abscess and fistula formation. The majority of cases occurred within the first 50 days of initiation of Avastin.

Discontinue Avastin in patients with gastrointestinal perforation. [See Boxed Warning, Dosage and Administration (2.4).]

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