Aquazide H and Bavencio

• Generic Name: hydrochlorothiazide
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Aquazide H, HydroDIURIL, Microzide,

Hydrochlorothiazide is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.

Hydrochlorothiazide is also used to treat fluid retention (edema) that is caused by congestive heart failure, severe liver disease (cirrhosis), kidney disease, or treatment with a steroid or hormone medicine.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It is used to help reduce the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

• Generic Name: avelumab
• Dosage Forms: injection, solution, concentrate
• Other Brand Names: Bavencio

Bavencio (avelumab) is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Bavencio is used to treat a type of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in adults and children at least 12 years old, when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Bavencio was approved for MCC by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on an "accelerated" basis. In clinical studies, tumors responded to this medicine. However, further studies are needed.

Bavencio is used to treat a certain type of cancer of the bladder or urinary tract that has spread or cannot be removed with surgery. Avelumab is given for this condition after platinum cancer medicines did not work or have stopped working.

Bavencio is also used used alone or in combination with the medicine axitinib for the treatment of a type of kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma (RCC) that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced RCC).