WARNINGS
GASTROINTESTINAL PERFORATIONS
AVASTIN administration can result in the development of gastrointestinal perforation, in some instances resulting in fatality. Gastrointestinal perforation, sometimes associated with intra‑abdominal abscess, occurred throughout treatment with AVASTIN (i.e., was not correlated to duration of exposure). The incidence of gastrointestinal perforation (gastrointestinal perforation, fistula formation, and/or intra‑abdominal abscess) in patients with colorectal cancer and in patients with non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving AVASTIN was 2.4% and 0.9%, respectively. The typical presentation was reported as abdominal pain associated with symptoms such as constipation and vomiting. Gastrointestinal perforation should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with abdominal pain on AVASTIN. AVASTIN therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients with gastrointestinal perforation. (See WARNINGS: Gastrointestinal Perforations and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Dose Modifications.)
WOUND HEALING COMPLICATIONS
AVASTIN administration can result in the development of wound dehiscence, in some instances resulting in fatality. AVASTIN therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients with wound dehiscence requiring medical intervention. The appropriate interval between termination of AVASTIN and subsequent elective surgery required to avoid the risks of impaired wound healing⁄wound dehiscence has not been determined. (See WARNINGS: Wound Healing Complications and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Dose Modifications.)
Hemorrhage
Fatal pulmonary hemorrhage can occur in patients with NSCLC treated with chemotherapy and AVASTIN. The incidence of severe or fatal hemoptysis was 31% in patients with squamous histology and 2.3% in patients with NSCLC excluding predominant squamous histology. Patients with recent hemoptysis (≥1⁄2 tsp of red blood) should not receive AVASTIN. (See WARNINGS: Hemorrhage, ADVERSE REACTIONS: Hemorrhage, and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Dose Modifications.)
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