• Avelumab comes as an injection which has to be administered intravenously over 60 minutes. Before administering, it is important to check the solution in the vial for any presence of visible matter, change in the appearance of the solution such as cloudy or discoloration; if so, it should be discarded.
• The required volume of the avelumab injection should be withdrawn from the vial and to be injected into a 250 ml infusion bag containing isotonic sodium chloride.
• The infusion bag must be gently inverted to mix the diluted portion but care should be taken to avoid the formation of foam or excess shearing.
• Avelumab must not be injected in the same intravenous line along with other drugs.
• It is important to discard the partially used or empty vials of avelumab appropriately.
• Dose modifications are necessary when serious adverse reactions are reported. The avelumab therapy can be either withheld until the adverse reactions subside or can be permanently discontinued based on the patient condition or the severity of adverse reactions.
• It is necessary to premedicate the patients with antihistamine and acetaminophen before at least the first four infusions.
• Allergy to avelumab
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women of childbearing age should be strictly advised to follow effective contraception methods during avelumab treatment and to continue for at least 1 month after the final dose of avelumab injection
• Children less than 12 years because of the lack of safety and efficacy data
• Type 1 Diabetes mellitus
• Immune system disorders such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• The required volume of the avelumab injection should be withdrawn from the vial and to be injected into a 250 ml infusion bag containing isotonic sodium chloride.
• The infusion bag must be gently inverted to mix the diluted portion but care should be taken to avoid the formation of foam or excess shearing.
• Avelumab must not be injected in the same intravenous line along with other drugs.
• It is important to discard the partially used or empty vials of avelumab appropriately.
Dosage & When it is to be taken
• The recommended dose of avelumab is 10mg/kg which is administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes every two weeks until the progression of disease or intolerable toxicity.• Dose modifications are necessary when serious adverse reactions are reported. The avelumab therapy can be either withheld until the adverse reactions subside or can be permanently discontinued based on the patient condition or the severity of adverse reactions.
• It is necessary to premedicate the patients with antihistamine and acetaminophen before at least the first four infusions.
When it is not to be taken (Contraindications)
Avelumab should not be used in patients with the following conditions:• Allergy to avelumab
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women of childbearing age should be strictly advised to follow effective contraception methods during avelumab treatment and to continue for at least 1 month after the final dose of avelumab injection
• Children less than 12 years because of the lack of safety and efficacy data
• Type 1 Diabetes mellitus
• Immune system disorders such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
