Aflibercept is used together with other medicines to treat cancer of the colon.
Aflibercept injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein). It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Aflibercept.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- bleeding problems
as Aflibercept may not be suitable for you.
Men should not father a child while being treated with this medicine. Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Aflibercept therapy and for 6 months after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count with differential, urine protein test) may be done while you are being treated with Aflibercept. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may rise or fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure during treatment.
- Regular monitoring of wounds for impaired healing, bleeding, diarrhoea, and dehydration may also be needed.
Aflibercept may cause any of the following side effects: diarrhoea, decreased appetite, toothache, abdominal pain, dehydration, high blood pressure, bleeding, and headache.
This medicine may cause the level of your white blood cells and platelets to drop.
White blood cells help your body fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds, and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- bleeding accompanied by tiredness, weakness, and dizziness
- pass
out blood or black, tarry stools or vomit coffee-ground-like vomitus
- shortness of breath and chest pain
- headache, sight changes, confusion, fits or seizures with or without high blood pressure
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.
Keep vials in their original package to protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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