Ramucirumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information

T IMPORTANT WARNING:
P Ramucirumab injection may cause severe bleeding that can be life-threatening and even cause death. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: coughing up or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, unusual bleeding or bruising, pink, red, or dark brown urine, red or tarry black bowel movements, lightheadedness, nosebleeds, other unusual bleeding or bruising. Your doctor may stop ramucirumab injection if you experience severe bleeding.

T Why is this medication prescribed?
P Ramucirumab injection is used to treat stomach cancer or cancer located in the area where the stomach meets the esophagus (the tube between the throat and stomach) when these conditions do not improve after treatment with other medications. Ramucirumab injection is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells.

T How should this medicine be used?
P Ramucirumab injection comes as a liquid to be injected into a vein over 60 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or medical facility. It is usually given once every 2 weeks. The length of your treatment depends on how well your body responds to the medication and the side effects that you experience.
P Your doctor may need to interrupt or stop your treatment if you experience certain side effects. Your doctor will give you other medications to prevent or treat certain side effects before you receive each dose of ramucirumab injection. Tell your doctor or nurse if you experience any of the following while you receive ramucirumab: uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body; back pain or spasms; chest pain and tightness; chills; flushing; shortness of breath; wheezing; pain, burning, numbness, pricking, or tingling in the hands or feet or on the skin; breathing difficulties; fast heartbeat.

T Other uses for this medicine
P This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

T What special precautions should I follow?
t Before receiving ramucirumab injection,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ramucirumab or any other medications or any of the ingredients in ramucirumab injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, a wound that has not healed, or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Ramucirumab injection may harm your unborn baby. You should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for at least 3 months after your treatment. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant during your treatment with ramucirumab injection, call your doctor immediately.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving ramucirumab injection.

T What special dietary instructions should I follow?
P Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

T What should I do if I forget a dose?
P Call your doctor right away if you are unable to keep an appointment to receive a dose of ramucirumab injection.

T What side effects can this medication cause?
t Ramucirumab injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- headache
t Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- rash
- sudden weakness of an arm or leg
- drooping of one side of the face
- difficulty speaking or understanding
- crushing chest or shoulder pain
- slow or difficult speech
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- severe diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain
P Ramucirumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
P If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

T What other information should I know?
P Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to ramucirumab injection.
P It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

T Brand names
- Cyramza®

