Bevacizumab - Avastin

Index

• Basic Description
• Trials
• Side Effects - Warning and Suggestions - Contact Doctor
• Additional Side Effects to watch for
• Avastin - NF2 Community - Informal Study

Basic Description:

Bevacizumab - Avastin - Available as Trial and Public Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a medication for tumor suppression. It works by inhibiting angiogenesis, which prevents the development of new blood vessels. Avastin inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Initially used for various Cancer treatments, for those it has been revoked for those by the FDA due to having been found to be not being effective enough. - Wikipedia For NF2, Avastin is still in trials and a treatment option. It is important to talk to your doctor about any signs of side effects listed below, which have been found to be problematic.

Trials:

• Bevacizumab for Symptomatic Vestibular Schwannoma in Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) - www.ClinicalTrials.gov
• Bevacizumab in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Progressive Meningiomas - www.ClinicalTrials.gov

Side Effects - Warning and Suggestions - Contact doctor if you experience any of the following:

Major side effects are uncommon. Since people with NF2 are taking these medications at a low dose, only minimal side effects are common. However, long term use is primarily where these major side effects take place. Monthly Blood and Urine Tests can usually point to an issue before it's a real problem. Talk to your doctor.

• Hydration: Many of the side effects below are hydration issues, drink as much water as you can.
• Kidney Failure: In a urine test, this can be found if there is too much protein in urine. Look for dark colored urine.
• Gastrointestinal Perforation: Hole in Stomach, Small or Large Intestines. Symptoms - Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation, and Fever.
• Severe Bleeding: Coughing up Blood, Bleeding in the Stomach, Vomiting Blood, Bleeding in the Brain, Nosebleeds and Vaginal Bleeding.
• Dry Eyes resulting in Cracked Cornea: Make sure eyes stay lubricated with eye drops of some sort. Not limited to patients with dry eye issues prior to taking medications, but all people with NF2.
• Nausea: Nausea is easily managed with Zofran.
• Premature Ovarian Failure: Women should have FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) and Estradiol Levels regularly checked.

Additional Side Effects to watch for:

• Protein in Urine
• Kidney Problems (Nephrotic Syndrome)
• Kidney Failure
• Irregular Menstrual Cycle
• Premature Ovarian FailureH
• Dry Sinuses
• Stroke
• Heart Problems
• Nose Bleeds
• Headache
• High Blood Pressure
• Inflammation of the Nose
• Hole in Nose (Nasal Septum Perforations)
• Rectal Bleeding
• Bowel Perforation (Duodenal Fistula)
• Back Pain
• Taste Change
• Sensitive Tongue
• Nausea
• Leg Pain
• Impaired Wound Healing
• Fatigue
• Mouth Sores
• Nausea
• Abdominal Pain
• Hoarseness - From changes in airflow past the vocal chords due to reduced swelling in that area.
• Inflammation of the Skin - Dry Skin, Skin Rash
• Dry Eyes - Tear Production Disorder, Cracked Cornea - Make sure eyes stay lubricated with eye drops of some sort.

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