Avastin

Precautions to keep in mind

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Other medicines: Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor.

Surgery: This medicine should not be taken within several weeks before or after surgery.

Call your doctor right away if you start to have headaches, seizures, unusual drowsiness, confusion, any changes in vision, or any other unusual medical conditions.

Tell your doctor right away if you are having severe stomach pain accompanied by other symptoms such as constipation and vomiting. These could be symptoms of a serious medical condition.

This medicine may also increase your risk of having a serious condition called tracheoesophageal fistula (an abnormal connection in one or more places between the esophagus and the trachea). Tell your doctor right away if you start having trouble swallowing, coughing or choking while eating, trouble breathing, or chest pain or discomfort while you are using this medicine.

Bevacizumab can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you start to cough up blood or if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.