Ziv-aflibercept may cause severe bleeding that can be life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you have recently noticed any unusual bruising or bleeding. Your doctor may not want you to receive ziv-aflibercept. If you experience any of the following symptoms at any time during your treatment, call your doctor immediately: nosebleeds or bleeding from your gums; coughing up or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; unusual bleeding or bruising; pink, red, or dark brown urine; red or tarry black bowel movements; dizziness; or weakness.
Ziv-aflibercept may cause you to develop a hole in the wall of your stomach or intestine. This is a serious and possibly life-threatening condition. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or fever.
Ziv-aflibercept may slow the healing of wounds, such as cuts made by a doctor during surgery. In some cases, ziv-aflibercept may cause a wound that has closed to split open. This is a serious and possibly life-threatening condition. If you experience this problem, call your doctor immediately. Tell your doctor if you have recently had surgery or if you plan to have surgery, including dental surgery. If you have recently had surgery, you should not use ziv-aflibercept until at least 28 days have passed and until the area has completed healed. If you are scheduled to have surgery, your doctor will stop your treatment with ziv-aflibercept at least 28 days before the surgery.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of using ziv-aflibercept.
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,
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:
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:
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 ( Web Site) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at Web Site. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call 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.