Zaltrap Side Effects

A syringe filled with Zaltrap to treat colorectal cancer.

Severe side effects

Severe bleeding particularly gastrointestinal bleeding caused by holes in the gastrointestinal tract
Fatal hemorrhage, including gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Dysphonia (difficulty of speaking) and stomatitis (inflammation of the mucous lining of any part of the mouth)
Blood complications including neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia (which all can cause a low immune system, inviting infections) and hypertension

Common side effects

Wound healing may be compromised
Decrease in weight due to loss of appetite, fatigue, and dehydration
Infections including urinary tract infection, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, catheter site infection, and tooth infection
Liver and kidney problems, including increased serum creatinine, increased AST levels, and proteinuria
Abdominal pain and diarrhea, due to gastrointestinal problems

Warnings & Recalls for Zaltrap

Zaltrap Black Box Warning

The box warning includes severe/fatal hemorrhage, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and severe bleeding including gastrointestinal bleeding from GI perforation. The box also includes a warning that indicates that Zaltrap puts healing major wounds in jeopardy.

Other Warnings

Zaltrap has failed studies in prostate cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
This medication should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit to the mother substantiates the risk to the fetus.
Zaltrap should be used at least 4 weeks prior to major surgery,and at least 4 weeks after surgery or until the wounds from surgery are fully healed.

Zaltrap Treatment and Use

What is Zaltrap?

Zaltrap | ziv-aflibercept is an angiogenesis inhibitor (an inhibitor that prohibits the growth of new blood vessels) that is used to treat metastatic colon cancer. It has been approved by the FDA for treating colorectal tumors that have spread to other parts of the body, and is used when normal chemotherapy routines have failed. It is used in conjunction with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan. This process is called FOLFIRI. It is developed by Sanofi and Regenerron Pharmaceuticals Inc.

How does Zaltrap work?

The angiogenesis inhibitor cuts off blood supply to the tumors, which then inhibits the growth of the tumor. Zaltrap attaches to and disables the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (a signal protein that restores oxygen to tissue when low blood circulation is apparent). It also tricks the body by acting like an actual vascular endothelial growth factor receptor to prevent angiogenesis (the creation of new blood vessels) and ultimately causes the suffocation of tumors.

Dosage

Zaltrap is given as an intravenous infusion with 4 mg administered over 1 hour every 2 weeks by a medical professional.

The single-use dosages contain vials of 100 mg/4mL (25 mg/mL) and 200 mg/8 mL (25 mg/mL).

Other Names for Zaltrap

Brand Name:

Zaltrap

Eylea (when used for macular degeneration)

Generic:

ziv-aflibercept

aflibercept

VEGF trap