Bevacizumab (By injection)

be-va-SIZ-yoo-mab

Treats cancer, including colorectal, lung, glioblastoma, kidney, cervical, and ovarian cancer.

Drug classes

Immunological Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Bevacizumab injection is given with other medicines to treat patients with metastatic (a cancer that has spread) carcinoma of the colon or rectum. This medicine is also used to treat a certain type of metastatic lung cancer called nonsquamous, non-small cell lung cancer, and a certain type of brain tumor called glioblastoma.

Bevacizumab is a substance that helps the body fight cancer. It prevents the growth of certain types of blood vessels to cancer cells. This helps to decrease the growth of cancer cells by starving the cells of nutrients that are needed to grow.

Bevacizumab injection is also used in combination with other medicines (eg, interferon alfa) to treat patients with cancer of the kidney that has spread to other areas of the body. It is also used in combination with other medicines (eg, paclitaxel and cisplatin, or paclitaxel and topotecan) to treat patients with cancer of the cervix that has spread to other areas of the body. This medicine is also used in combination with other medicines (eg, paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan) to treat patients with platinum-resistant, recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, bevacizumab is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Diabetic macular edema (swelling of the back of the eye in diabetic patients).

Glioblastoma multiforme, recurrent, after therapy with temozolomide (a type of brain cancer that is getting worse or not responding to therapy).

Metastatic colorectal cancer, first-line therapy, in combination with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (cancer of the colon or rectum that has spread to other areas of the body).

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Missed dose: This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to bevacizumab.

Warnings

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends.

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Talk with your doctor if you plan to have children. Some women are not able to get pregnant after they have used this medicine. Call your doctor if you do not have a menstrual period for 3 months.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, bleeding problems, or a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Gastrointestinal perforation (hole in your digestive system) Increased risk for bleeding problems, blood clots, heart attack, or stroke High blood pressure Nervous system damage Infusion reaction

This medicine may affect the way your body heals. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using it several weeks before and after surgery.

This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Bleeding from your rectum, or black, tarry stools

Chest pain, coughing up blood, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking, pain in your calf

Constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting

Fever, chills, trouble breathing, fainting, or chest pain within a few hours after you receive this medicine

Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body

Seizures, confusion, unusual drowsiness

Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

Tingling or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

Trouble swallowing, coughing or choking while you eat

Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness, nosebleeds

Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach upset, change in sense of taste

Tiredness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Avastin

There may be other brand names for this medicine.