Avastin is a drug for treatment of cancer. It slows down the growth and spread of cancerous cells in the body. It is used for treatment of cancer of breast, kidney, lung, colon and rectum. It is also used for treatment of brain tumor. It contains bevacizumab as main active ingredient.

Composition

Avastin contains bevacizumab as its main active ingredient. It is an IgG1 antibody. It belongs to recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody group of drugs. It binds to human vascular endolethial growth factor and slows down its activities in the human body.

Avastin has a molecular weight of 149. It is an opalescent solution, which is colorless to pale brown in color. It is produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells in a nutrient medium. This medium has antibiotic gentamicin. Other ingredients in Avastin are a,a-trehalose dihydrate, sodium phosphate, polysorbate 20, and Water.

Uses of Avastin

Avastin is a cancer drug and is used for treatment of different type of cancers. It contains bevacizumab as main active ingredient. It binds and slow downs the activities of  vascular endolethial growth factor. It acts by slowing down the growth and spread of cancerous cells in the body.

It is used for treatment of various types of cancers such as kidney cancer, colon cancer, rectum cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer.

It is also used for treatment of a particular type of brain tumor.

It is administered to the patients as a part of a cancer drugs combination. Doctors prescribe it for other purposes as well, which are not listed in medicine guide of this drug.

Precautions before using Avastin

One should take care of following things before using Avastin.

• It is advisable to consult your doctor before using Avastin, if you have allergy to any of its ingredient or any other type of allergy.
• Avoid using this drug or talk to your doctor before using this drug if you are suffering from stomach or intestinal ulcers.
• If you recently have bloody vomiting or coughing up blood, avoid using this drug or consult your doctor before using it.
• If you have undergone any major surgery recently, consult your doctor before using this drug. It could slow down the healing of wounds.
• Avoid this drug if you have fistula. Fistula is an abnormal tunnel connecting two body cavities. It mostly occurs between the bladder and the vagina.
• If you have a history of high blood pressure, consult your doctor before using this drug.
• If you are suffering from or have suffered from blood clots, tell your doctor before using this drug.
• If you have any type of heart diseases tell your doctor before using this medicine.
• If you have any type of kidney diseases tell your doctor before using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor about your medical history before going for this drug.
• Consult your doctor before going for any type of surgery while using this drug.
• Avoid immunizations or vaccinations or consult your doctor before going for vaccination while using this drug.
• Avoid activities, which could hurt you and cause a cut or wound as use of Avastin could slow down the healing process.
• Be cautious while using this drug in older people as there are higher chances of developing side effects in them.
• Avoid use of this drug, if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant as it could harm the unborn child.
• Call your doctor immediately if you get pregnant while using this drug.
• Avoid this drug if you are a breast-feeding mother as it could harm the child.
• If you have a history of strokes, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
• If you have any type of liver diseases consult your doctor before using this medicine.
• If you have any type of open wound consult your doctor before using this drug.
• Call your doctor immediately if you develop any dizziness, nausea or light-headedness while using this drug.
• If you develop itching, sweating, chills or wheezing while using this drug, call your doctor.
• Call your doctor if you experience fast heartbeat or chest pain while using this drug.
• Get your blood pressure checked regularly while using this drug.
• Go for regular urine tests while using this medicine.
• Call your doctor if you develop blood in your stools or vomit while using this medicine.
• Another alarming condition is sudden numbness or weakness, sudden headache or confusion.
• If you develop problems with vision or speech while using this drug, immediately call your doctor.
• If you suffer chest pain, breathing difficulty, swelling, rapid weight gain, or flu like symptoms, while using this drug, call your doctor.

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