Patient Safety - Capillary Leaks

Genentech is alerting healthcare professionals about two new safety issues for Avastin (bevacizumab) a drug used to treat certain colorectal and lung cancers. The first is a rare brain-capillary leak problem called reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS). RPLS is a neurological disorder associated with hypertension, fluid retention and the cytotoxic effects of immunosuppressive drugs on the vascular endothelium. The onset of symptoms can occur from 16 hours to 1 year after starting Avastin treatment. These symptoms can include headache, seizures, visual disturbances and altered mental function with or without hypertension. The second safety issue concerns patients on Avastin who have experienced perforation of the nasal septum. Seven cases of this adverse event have been reported since the drug was marketed. FDA Patient Safety News: January 2007. Brought to you by SafetyTV Library, www.safetyissues.com. Life Has No Reset Button, Think Safety.