Zirabev®

Zirabev®

This product is manufactured by Pfizer Canada Inc. using the ingredient bevacizumab.

This product is taken via intravenous injection.

Why is it prescribed?

Bevacizumab is used in combination with a carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy regimen, for treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

Tell doctors or dentists that you are being treated with Zirabev®.
If you are planning to have surgery, you should stop Zirabev® 4 weeks before surgery and not restart it until 4 weeks after surgery and only if the surgical wound is fully healed. This helps to lower the risk of bleeding and may prevent problems with wound healing after surgery. 

The first time Zirabev® is given, the infusion will take 90 minutes. If no problems occur, future infusions may require less time, usually about 30 or 60 minutes.


Alternatives

Other products that have the same ingredient as Zirabev® are •Abevmy® injection •Avastin®  •Aybintio®  •Bambevi® •Mvasi® •Vegzelma™ •

See other products used in the treatment of •non-small cell lung cancer •

The recommended dose of Zirabev® is 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion in addition to carboplatin + paclitaxel chemotherapy regimen.


Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody - a type of protein designed to target and interfere with the growth of cancer cells. It selectively binds to and neutralizes the biologic activity of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) thereby reducing the blood supply to the cancer cells and preventing their growth.

 


Most common side effects:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diarrhea, vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Lack of energy or strength
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pain (including joint pain)
  • Bleeding (from the nose or rectum)
  • Sores in the mouth
  • Shortness of breath
  • Runny nose
  • Dry, scaling skin or changes in skin colour
  • Changes in the sense of taste
  • Eye problems 
  • A decrease in certain white blood cells in the blood that help fight off infection
  • anemia
  • Difficulty in sleeping
  • Fever, chills or excessive sweating
  • Headache
  • Tingling sensation or numbness in toes and fingers
  • Bronchitis
  • Bruising
  • Change in moods
  • Infections (mouth, throat, sinus, lungs or urine infections)
  • Excess of sugar in the blood
  • Weight loss
  • Widening of the blood vessels
  • Low levels of sodium and magnesium in the blood
  • Coughing
  • Tiredness

Common :

  • Pain (including muscle pain, chest pain, heart pain (angina), back pain, and pain in thepelvis and anal regions)
  • Stroke/heart attack
  • Blood clots
  • Perforation of the stomach
  • Altered voice such as hoarseness
  • Swelling and numbness of the hand and feet
  • Urinary (bladder or kidney) infection
  • Infections of the skin or deeper layers under the skin
  • Allergic reactions
  • Nephrotic syndrome (a type of kidney disorder)

Do not use if allergic to bevacizumab or any of the other ingredients in the medication.

Consult your physician or pharmacist if you:

  • have high blood pressure
  • plan to have surgery or have had surgery in the last 28 days
  • have ever had a heart attack or stroke
  • have any illnesses or diseases affecting your kidneys
  • have heart failure or weakened heart muscles
  • have ever coughed up blood or had abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • are diabetic

Drug Interactions:

  • irinotecan
  • sunitinib malate. 
  • platinum- or taxane-based therapies
  • EGFR monoclonal antibodies 

Safety in pregnancy: bevacizumab can harm the fetus. Use effective methods of contraception while taking it and for at least 6 months after the last dose.

Safety in breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed while on bevacizumab.