Side effects? CBD none. Big Pharma Zaltrap side effects: "...severe and sometimes fatal bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding, and the development of holes in the gastrointestinal tract. Zaltrap can also make it more difficult for wounds to heal. The most common side effects observed in patients receiving Zaltrap plus FOLFIRI were decreased white blood cell count, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, fatigue, high blood pressure, increased amount of protein in the urine, weight loss, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and headache." -- From Zaltrap PR. Zaltrap was developed for Stage 4 colorectal cancer.
http://nymag.com/news/features/cancer-drugs-2013-10/
"On August 3, 2012, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new cancer drug called Zaltrap as a safe and effective treatment for patients with advanced colon cancer. The approval was based on a large-scale clinical trial that showed that Zaltrap, given in combination with three previously approved drugs to patients who had failed initial therapy, extended median overall survival by 42 days." (Cost of Zaltrap: Over $50,000/per month when combined with obligatory multi-drug cocktail and chemo regimen.)
http://colon-cancer.emedtv.com/zaltrap/zaltra...tions.html
Zaltrap Warnings and Precautions
If you have colorectal cancer and your healthcare provider recommends chemotherapy treatment with Zaltrap, you should understand that this drug may cause kidney problems, serious bleeding, or other potentially dangerous complications. Some of the other warnings for using Zaltrap safely include precautions for people who have certain medical issues, such as a history of a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Talk with your healthcare provider prior to receiving Zaltrap® (ziv-aflibercept) if you have:
Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Plans to have surgery
Plans to have dental work, such as a tooth extraction
A history of a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke
Any allergies, including to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
In addition, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Breastfeeding
Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.
You should also tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Specific Precautions and Warnings for Zaltrap
Some warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to using this medication include the following:
People treated with Zaltrap are at risk for serious bleeding problems, which may be life-threatening in some cases. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience any unusual bleeding or bruising, including blood in your urine or stool, or if you cough up blood. Also, seek immediate medical attention if you have signs of bleeding in the brain, such as:
A sudden headache
Changes in vision
Numbness or weakness of the face or one side of the body
Difficulty speaking or walking.
Although rare, Zaltrap may cause a hole to develop in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, known medically as a GI perforation. A GI perforation is a medical emergency. Seek medical attention right away if you have severe abdominal (stomach) pain, as this is often the earliest sign of GI perforation.
Zaltrap can interfere with wound healing. If you are having surgery, your healthcare provider may recommend you temporarily stop treatment for four weeks before the surgery and not to resume treatment again until your surgical wounds have completely healed. Let your healthcare provider know if you have any wounds or sores that are not healing during Zaltrap treatment.
This medication may increase blood pressure . Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood pressure during treatment. If you develop high blood pressure (known medically as hypertension), you may need to be treated with high blood pressure medicines. If your blood pressure becomes dangerously elevated, your healthcare provider may recommend you stop Zaltrap treatment.
Zaltrap may increase the risk for blood clots and strokes. Talk to your healthcare provider about this risk, especially if you have had a blood clot or stroke in the past. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop chest pain or have signs of a stroke (see Stroke Symptoms).
This medicine may increase the risk for fistulas, which are abnormal connections between two organs or vessels that do not normally connect. For example, an anal fistula is an abnormal channel that develops between the anal glands and the skin. If you develop a fistula during Zaltrap treatment, you will need to stop using this medication.
Zaltrap has been reported to cause kidney problems, including damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys that filter water and waste products from your blood. Let your healthcare provider know if you have any signs of kidney problems, including foamy urine, which could be caused by too much protein in the urine, or swelling in the ankles, legs, or feet (fluid retention).
Your healthcare provider will monitor the amount of protein in your urine during treatment, as kidney damage can cause your body to excrete an abnormal amount of protein.
Like other anticancer medicines, Zaltrap can decrease the amount of white blood cells and platelets in your blood, which could increase the risk for infections and bleeding problems . Let your healthcare provider know if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising, or signs of an infection, such as:
Fever
Chills
Sore throat
Cough
Painful urination.
Diarrhea is a common side effect of Zaltrap . Older adults are more likely to experience diarrhea during treatment with this drug. Let your healthcare provider know if you have severe or persistent diarrhea, or if you become dehydrated. Signs of dehydration include:
A dry mouth
Feeling thirsty
A decrease in the amount you usually urinate.
Zaltrap may rarely cause a serious brain condition known as reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy . Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have signs of this condition, such as:
Headaches
Confusion
Seizures
Vision problems.
Zaltrap is not likely to react with most other medications (see Zaltrap Drug Interactions for more information).
It is unknown if Zaltrap passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to receiving the drug (see Zaltrap and Breastfeeding).
Zaltrap is a pregnancy Category C medication, which means it may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are currently unknown (see Zaltrap and Pregnancy).
