Ziv-aflibercept Injection

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Ziv-aflibercept injection is used in combination with other medications to treat cancer of the colon (large intestine) or rectum that has spread to other parts of the body. Ziv-aflibercept is in a class of medications called antiangiogenic agents. It works by stopping the formation of blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to tumors. This may slow the growth and spread of tumors.

Ziv-aflibercept injection come as a solution to be injected intravenously (into a vein) over at least 1 hour by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. Ziv-aflibercept is usually given once every 14 days.

Your doctor may need to delay your treatment or adjust your dose if you experience certain side effects. It is important for you to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with ziv-aflibercept.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before receiving ziv-aflibercept injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ziv-aflibercept or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you plan to father a child. You or your partner should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with ziv-aflibercept and for at least 3 months after you stop using the medication. If you or your partner become pregnant while using ziv-aflibercept, call your doctor. Ziv-aflibercept may harm the fetus.
• tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breastfeed during your treatment with ziv-aflibercept.
• you should know that ziv-aflibercept may cause high blood pressure. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly while you are receiving ziv-aflibercept.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Ziv-aflibercept may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• loss of appetite

• weight loss

• sores in the mouth or throat

• tiredness

• voice changes

• hemorrhoids

• diarrhea

• dry mouth

• darkening of the skin

• dryness, thickness, cracking, or blistering of skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• leakage of fluids through an opening in the skin

• slow or difficult speech

• headache

• dizziness or faintness

• weakness or numbness of an arm or leg

• chest pain

• shortness of breath

• seizures

• extreme tiredness

• confusion

• change in vision or loss of vision

• sore throat, fever, chills, ongoing cough and congestion, or other signs of infection

• swelling of the face, eyes, stomach, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

• unexplained weight gain

• foamy urine

• pain, tenderness, warmth, redness, or swelling in one leg only

Ziv-aflibercept may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to ziv-aflibercept.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Last Revised - 01/15/2013