Dextran high molecular weight and Panitumumab Intravenous

• Generic Name: dextran, high molecular weight
• Dosage Forms: injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution
• Other Brand Names:

  Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose, Hyskon, Macrodex, Gentran 70, Dextran-HM, Dextran 70 6% in 09% Sodium Chloride

High-molecular weight dextran is a plasma volume expander made from natural sources of sugar (glucose). It works by restoring blood plasma lost through severe bleeding. Severe blood loss can decrease oxygen levels and can lead to organ failure, brain damage, coma, and possibly death. Plasma is needed to circulate red blood cells that deliver oxygen throughout the body.

Dextran is used to treat hypovolemia (decreased volume of circulating blood plasma), that can result from surgery, trauma or injury, severe burns, or other causes of bleeding.

Dextran may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: panitumumab
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Vectibix

Panitumumab injection is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat metastatic cancer (cancer that spreads to other parts of the body) of the colon or rectum in patients who have already received other cancer treatments. Panitumumab injection should only be used in patients who have a wild type RAS (in both KRAS and NRAS) gene mutation test. This test helps the doctor decide whether the medicine will treat their cancer.

Panitumumab interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by panitumumab, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, such as a skin rash, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects do not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with panitumumab, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits of panitumumab as well as the risks of using it.

Panitumumab will only be given by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.