Bavencio

What is Bavencio?

Bavencio can be described as a cancer treatment that inhibits the spread and growth of cancerous cells within the body. Bavencio can be used to treat skin cancers of a kind known as Merkel cancer cells in adults and children aged 12 or older when they have spread to different areas within your organs (metastatic).

Bavencio may also be used to treat a specific type of cancer that affects the urinary tract or bladder, has gotten worse, or can't be removed surgically. Bavencio is prescribed for this type of cancer when platinum cancer treatments don't work or have been discontinued.Bavencio can also be used by itself or in conjunction with another medicine known as axitinib for treating advanced kidney cancer that has grown or has not been removed surgically.

Warnings

Bavencio functions by causing the immune system to attack tumors. Avelumab can trigger your immune system to target healthy tissues and organs within your body. This could cause severe or life-threatening adverse effects on your liver, lungs, pancreas, kidneys, thyroid glands, intestines, or adrenal glands.

Contact your doctor immediately. If you experience symptoms such as fever, cough, symptoms of the flu, muscle weakness or pain, chest pain, vision changes, or breathing problems, severe stomach pain, diarrhea, or swelling of your ankles; a decrease or increase in urine output; bloody stool or urine; weight fluctuations; hair loss; unusual discharge; dark urine; and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Before you this drug

To be sure Bavencio is suitable for you, ask your doctor if you have previously had:

• A condition that impacts your nervous system, like myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barre syndrome.
• An illness of the immune system, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease;
• A breathing problem.
• kidney or liver disease.
• Heart conditions and hypertension.
• Excessive cholesterol.
• Diabetes.
• An organ transplant.
• If you've had or are scheduled to get stem cells from an individual donor.

You shouldn't use avelumab when you are expecting. It could be harmful for the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Utilize effective birth control methods to avoid pregnancy while using this medication and for at least one month following your last dose. You shouldn't feed your baby while taking this medication or for a minimum of one month after the date of your last dose.

How to take Bavencio?

Bavencio is administered as an injection into the vein, generally every two weeks. The healthcare professional will give the injection.

Bavencio is best administered slowly, and the IV infusion could last for at least 60 minutes. There may be another medication to help prevent some side effects that might be experienced while you are receiving the treatment. You might require regular tests for your liver and heart functions as well as to aid your doctor in determining the length of time you should be treated with Bavencio.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Merkel Cell Carcinoma:

800 mg IV in 60 minutes once every two weeks
The duration of treatment: Until the progression of the disease or unacceptably toxic

Usual Adult Dose for Urothelial Carcinoma:

800 mg IV for 60 minutes once every two weeks
Therapy duration: up to the progression of the disease or unacceptably toxic
Uses: For maintenance treatment for patients who have localized metastatic or locally advanced urothelial cancer (UC) that is not advancing with first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Previously treated urothelial cancer for treatment of patients suffering from metastatic or locally advanced urothelial cancer (UC) who: experience the disease progressing during or after chemotherapy with platinum; or have progression within the first 12 months of adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy containing platinum.

Usual Adult Dose for Renal Cell Carcinoma:

800 mg IV in 60 minutes each week for 2 weeks when combined with axitinib mg taken orally twice every day (12 hours between) without or with food
The duration of treatment: Until the progression of the disease or unacceptably toxic
Uses: In conjunction with axitinib as the first-line treatment for patients suffering from advanced renal cell cancer (RCC).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Merkel Cell Carcinoma:

Ages 12 and over:
800 mg IV in 60 minutes once every two weeks
Therapy duration: up until the disease progresses or there is unacceptable toxicity.
Uses: To treat cancer that has metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in children 12 years of age or older.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Consult your physician for the proper procedure in the event that you don't make an appointment to get your injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Because this medication is administered by a medical expert in a medical environment, it is highly unlikely for an overdose to occur.

What should be avoided?

Follow your doctor's advice regarding any limitations on foods, drinks, or any activity.

Side Effects of Bavencio

See a doctor immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy reaction. There are some side effects that can happen after the injection. Inform your doctor immediately if you feel lightheaded and itchy, have feverish chills, abdominal or back discomfort, or breathing problems, or if you feel flushing (warmth, redness, or a tingling sensation).

Avelumab acts by causing the immune system of your body to fight cancer cells. Avelumab can trigger the immune system of your body to target healthy tissues and organs within the organs and tissues. This could lead to life-threatening or fatal consequences for your lungs, pancreas, liver, kidneys, thyroid gland, intestines, or adrenal glands.

See your doctor right away. If you suffer from:

• Sudden chest pains or discomforts.
• Extreme stomach discomfort and diarrhea; bloody or tarry stools.
• Skin rash that blisters or peels.
• Heartbeats that pound or flutter in your chest.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Burning or pain after you urinate.
• Joint muscle pain, weakness.
• Vision change.
• Liver issues: Loss of appetite, stomach pain, fatigue, bleeding or bruising in dark urine, jaundice, stools that are colored with clay (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
• Heart issues chest pressure or pain that is spreading to your shoulder or jaw, sweating, or chest pain.
• kidney issues The most common symptoms are a lack of or no urine, pink or red urine, swelling on your ankles or feet.
• Indications of a hormonal disorder Feeling lightheaded or extremely tired, fast heartbeats, mood changes, a deeper voice, thirst or hunger, more frequent urination, constipation, vomiting, feeling cold, sweating, and weight gain or loss of weight.

Common Bavencio side effects may include:

• Hoarse voice.
• A shortness of breath; a cough.
• Difficulties speaking.
• Bleeding, blisters, pain, or a severe rash on the hand's palms or on the soles of your shoes.
• Sores or white patches around the mouth or in your gums; difficulty talking or swallowing; bad breath; dry mouth; and a change in taste.
• Extreme headache, blurred vision, the pounding of your neck or ear;
• Urination that is painful.
• Stomach discomfort, nausea, and diarrhea.
• Fatigue.
• Chills, fever.
• Muscle pain, back pain, and bone pain.
• Rash.
• Swelling of your feet or hands.
• Swelling or redness at the site of injection.
• Liver issues.
• Symptoms of an underactive thyroid: tiredness, low mood, dry skin, thin hair, reduced sweating, and the appearance of puffiness on your face, making you more vulnerable in cold weather.

This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your physician for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

Other medications can be incompatible with avelumab, such as medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. Discuss with your physician the medicines you are currently taking and any medications you begin or stop taking.