What is Bavencio?
Bavencio (avelumab) is a prescription medication for certain cancers. It’s used for adults and children 12 and older with Merkel cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) that has spread.
It’s also for advanced bladder and urinary tract cancer (urothelial carcinoma) that has spread or can’t be removed by surgery.
Additionally, Bavencio can be used with axitinib for advanced kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). Common side effects include tiredness, muscle and bone pain, and infusion reactions like chills and fever. Bavencio’s safety and effectiveness in children under 12 are not known.
How Does Bavencio Work?
Bavencio is a medication for treating certain cancers by boosting your immune system to fight cancer cells. However, it can sometimes cause your immune system to attack healthy organs and tissues, affecting their function.
Bavencio is a PD-L1 blocking antibody, which means it blocks a protein (PD-L1) that cancer cells use to hide from the immune system. By blocking this protein, Bavencio helps the immune system detect and attack cancer cells more effectively.
Dosage Information and Usage
Bavencio can be injected by a healthcare provider or self-administered at home after proper training. Your doctor will determine the duration of treatment based on your response and any side effects you may experience.
Dosage Form and Strengths
Bavencio comes as an injection. Each vial contains 200 mg of the medication in 10 mL of solution, making it 20 mg/mL. The solution is clear and can range from colorless to slightly yellow.
Administration or Usage
Bavencio is administered by a healthcare provider through an intravenous (IV) line over 60 minutes. It is typically given every two weeks.
Patients are usually premedicated with an antihistamine and acetaminophen before the first four infusions to reduce the risk of infusion reactions.
The healthcare provider will monitor the patient with blood tests to check for side effects and decide the number of treatments needed. If a patient misses an appointment, they should contact their healthcare provider to reschedule as soon as possible.
Storage Information
Bavencio should be stored in its original packaging to protect it from light. Keep it refrigerated at temperatures between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze or shake the vial.
The solution is sterile, preservative-free, and ranges from clear and colorless to slightly yellow.
Each vial contains 200 mg of the medication in 10 mL (20 mg/mL) and is supplied as a single-dose vial. The vial stopper does not contain natural rubber latex.
Side Effects
Bavencio can cause side effects, some common and others more serious but rare. It is important to be aware of these potential side effects so you can monitor your health and report any issues to your healthcare provider.
Below are the common and serious but rare side effects associated with Bavencio.
Common Side Effects
- Feeling tired
- Muscle and bone pain
- Infusion-related reactions (chills, fever, back pain)
- Rash
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Urinary tract infection
- High blood pressure
- Mouth sores
- Blisters or rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet
- Hoarseness
- Low levels of thyroid hormone
- Liver problems
- Stomach area pain
- Headache
Serious but Rare Side Effects
- Severe allergic reactions
- Pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs)
- Colitis (inflammation of the colon)
- Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
- Endocrinopathies (hormone gland problems)
- Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
- Severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
- Neurological toxicities (nerve problems)
If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor immediately.
Warnings and Precautions
Before starting Bavencio, it’s important to know about its warnings and precautions. Discuss any pre-existing conditions, current medications, and relevant medical history with your healthcare provider before beginning treatment.
General Precautions
- Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Reactions: Bavencio can cause the immune system to attack normal tissues, which can be severe or even fatal. This is because it removes the inhibition of the immune system, allowing it to target not only cancer cells but also healthy cells. Monitoring and early management are crucial to prevent serious complications.
- Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis: This is an inflammation of the lungs caused by the immune system. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. It requires immediate medical attention and treatment with corticosteroids.
- Immune-Mediated Colitis: This refers to inflammation of the colon, which can lead to severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. Monitoring and timely treatment with corticosteroids are essential to manage this condition.
- Hepatotoxicity and Immune-Mediated Hepatitis: Bavencio can cause liver inflammation, leading to elevated liver enzymes. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is necessary, and corticosteroids may be needed to manage this condition.
- Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies: These are hormone-related issues such as adrenal insufficiency and thyroid disorders. Symptoms might include fatigue, weight changes, and changes in heart rate. Hormone replacement therapy may be required.
- Infusion-Related Reactions: During or after the infusion of Bavencio, reactions like fever, chills, and difficulty breathing can occur. Premedication with antihistamines and acetaminophen is recommended to prevent these reactions.
- Complications with Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant: Patients who have received or are planning to receive a stem cell transplant should be closely monitored for complications like graft-versus-host disease, which can be life-threatening.
- Cardiovascular Events: Bavencio, especially when combined with axitinib, can cause serious heart problems such as heart attack and heart failure. Regular heart function tests and management of cardiovascular risk factors are advised.
- Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Bavencio can harm an unborn baby if administered to a pregnant woman. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least one month after the last dose.
Alternative Medications
For patients seeking alternatives to Bavencio (avelumab), several other medications are available that may offer similar benefits in the treatment of cancer. These alternatives include drugs that target various pathways involved in cancer progression and immune response modulation.
Here are some options:
Price & Coupons
Access to medication shouldn’t be expensive. Pharma Giant is dedicated to making healthcare affordable and accessible.
If you need Bavencio in Canada, we offer top-quality cancer treatment at competitive prices. Currently, we provide Bavencio at a strength of 20mg/mL in the following packages:
- 1 vial – $2,079
- 2 vials – $4,000
- 3 vials – $5,850
Cut down your medication costs with Pharma Giant’s exclusive discount. Use the code PGSAVE10 at checkout to get 10% off your Bavencio purchase. This special offer helps you buy essential healthcare products at a lower price, without compromising quality.
At Pharma Giant, we promise to provide high-quality medicine and fast shipping right to your doorstep. We use express shipping, meaning your order will arrive in 3-5 business days anywhere in the US. We pack all orders securely to keep your medication safe during delivery.
Pharma Giant aims to make treatments affordable and accessible for everyone, especially those without medical insurance or who have reached their insurance coverage gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer
Pharma Giant provides medical information to help you better understand medications and medical conditions.This content is for informational use only and does not replace advice from a licensed medical practitioner. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing any medication. All our partners follow strict safety standards set by their country’s health authorities to make sure you receive safe and high-quality medications.
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