What should I avoid while taking Zaltrap?

While you are using the colon cancer drug Zaltrap (ziv-aflibercept), you should avoid taking any medicine that contains aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen without first talking to your doctor. To lower the risk of drug interactions, before you start using Zaltrap, you should also give your doctor a list of all your other medications (prescription and over-the-counter), as well as any supplements you take. Let him or her know if you smoke, drink alcohol or use recreational drugs.

You should avoid becoming dehydrated (loss of too much body fluid) while on Zaltrap -- tell your doctor if you have severe diarrhea, vomiting or stomach pain. Because Zaltrap can interfere with wound healing, you shouldn't undergo any elective surgical procedures, including dental ones, without talking with your doctor first. Zaltrap can make it harder for you to fight off infection, so wash your hands often, avoid crowds and people who are sick and take other steps to lower your risk of exposure to disease.

Zaltrap can cause birth defects, so women should avoid pregnancy while being treated, and men should avoid fathering a child. Women should also not breastfeed while on this drug.