Pronunciation: BE-va-SIZ-ue-mab
Generic Name: Bevacizumab
Brand Name: Avastin
Serious stomach or bowel problems (eg, abscess, fistula, perforation) may occur with Bevacizumab Solution. These effects are not common, but may be serious and sometimes fatal. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual stomach pain along with constipation, fever, nausea, or vomiting.
The incidence of wound healing problems and surgical complications, including serious and sometimes fatal complications, is greater in patients who use Bevacizumab Solution. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any wounds that do not heal or if you have a surgical wound that opens up. Tell your doctor if you are scheduled to have surgery or if you have had surgery within the past 28 days. If possible, you should not use Bevacizumab Solution within 28 days before or after surgery and until the surgical wound is healed. Talk with your doctor for more information.
The risk of severe and sometimes fatal bleeding problems is increased with Bevacizumab Solution. Patients who have severe bleeding or a recent history of coughing up blood should not use Bevacizumab Solution. Contact your doctor right away if you experience unusual bruising or bleeding, including severe or persistent nosebleed; coughing up blood; black, tarry stools; blood in the vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; unusual or severe vaginal bleeding; or stroke symptoms (eg, confusion, slurred speech, vision problems, one-sided weakness).
Bevacizumab Solution is used for:
Treating certain types of advanced lung cancer. It is also used to treat certain types of brain, kidney, colon, or rectal cancer. It is used with other cancer medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Bevacizumab Solution is a monoclonal antibody. It works by decreasing the formation and growth of new blood vessels in the tumor by blocking the action of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This helps to slow the growth and spread of cancer.
Do NOT use Bevacizumab Solution if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Bevacizumab Solution
- you have a tear or hole (perforation) in your stomach or bowels
- you have a wound (including a surgical wound) that has not healed or has split apart
- you have had surgery within the last 28 days
- you have severe bleeding or have recently coughed up blood
- you are taking sunitinib
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Bevacizumab Solution:
Some medical conditions may interact with Bevacizumab Solution. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are able to become pregnant
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances, including mouse or murine proteins
- if you have a history of chest pain (eg, angina), high blood pressure, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, heart disease, heart attack), blood vessel problems (eg, stroke), bleeding problems, blood clots, or coughing up blood
- if you have a history of nervous system problems, stomach or bowel problems, kidney problems, or high amounts of protein in your urine
- if you have a low blood sodium level, a wound that has not fully healed, or if you are scheduled to have surgery
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Bevacizumab Solution. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Sunitinib because a certain type of severe anemia (eg, hemolytic anemia) may occur
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Bevacizumab Solution may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Bevacizumab Solution:
Use Bevacizumab Solution as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Bevacizumab Solution is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Bevacizumab Solution at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Bevacizumab Solution. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- Do not use Bevacizumab Solution if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Do not shake Bevacizumab Solution.
- Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
- If you miss a dose of Bevacizumab Solution, contact your doctor immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Bevacizumab Solution.
Important safety information:
- Bevacizumab Solution may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Bevacizumab Solution with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- If nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite occurs, ask your doctor or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects.
- Bevacizumab Solution may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
- Bevacizumab Solution may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Bevacizumab Solution may increase the risk of blood clots in your arteries or veins. This can lead to serious effects such as stroke, heart attack, or a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism). Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of a blood clot (eg, pain, redness, swelling, or tenderness in an arm or leg; shortness of breath; coughing up blood), symptoms of stroke (eg, confusion, slurred speech, vision problems, one-sided weakness), or symptoms of a heart attack (eg, chest pain; numbness of an arm or leg; fainting; sudden, severe headache or vomiting).
- Bevacizumab Solution may cause a serious brain problem called reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS). If RPLS occurs, symptoms may appear from 16 hours to 1 year after starting Bevacizumab Solution. Contact your doctor right away if you experience severe headache, seizures, sluggishness, confusion, vision changes, or loss of vision.
- Bevacizumab Solution may cause infertility in women. If you are able to become pregnant, discuss any questions or concerns that you have about this information with your doctor.
- Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine while you are using Bevacizumab Solution.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Bevacizumab Solution before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including blood pressure, complete blood cell counts, and urine protein levels, may be performed while you use Bevacizumab Solution. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Bevacizumab Solution with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially the risk of blood clotting problems (eg, heart attack, stroke).
- Bevacizumab Solution should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Bevacizumab Solution may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Bevacizumab Solution while you are pregnant. If you are able to become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the use of effective birth control while taking Bevacizumab Solution and for at least 6 months following the last dose of Bevacizumab Solution. It is not known if Bevacizumab Solution is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Bevacizumab Solution. Do not become pregnant or breast-feed immediately after you stop Bevacizumab Solution. Bevacizumab Solution can stay in your body for a long time after you stop using it. Talk with your doctor about when it may be safe to become pregnant or breast-feed.
Possible side effects of Bevacizumab Solution:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Back pain; changes in taste; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; dry skin; headache; increased thirst; indigestion; loss of appetite; minor nosebleeds; mouth or tongue pain, swelling, or sores; muscle pain; nausea; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; stuffy or runny nose; tiredness; voice changes; vomiting; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; blood in the urine; burning, numbness, or tingling; chest pain; coughing up blood; decreased urination; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizure; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; severe or persistent nosebleed; severe or persistent stomach pain, constipation, nausea, or vomiting; severe or persistent weakness; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swelling or pain in the jaw; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe sweating; unusual weight gain or loss; vision loss, blurred vision, or other vision changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; wheezing; wounds that do not heal.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Bevacizumab side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include severe headache.
Proper storage of Bevacizumab Solution:
Bevacizumab Solution is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Bevacizumab Solution at home, store Bevacizumab Solution as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Bevacizumab Solution out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Bevacizumab Solution, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Bevacizumab Solution is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Bevacizumab Solution. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Bevacizumab resources
- Bevacizumab Side Effects (in more detail)
- Bevacizumab Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Bevacizumab Drug Interactions
- Bevacizumab Support Group
- 6 Reviews for Bevacizumab - Add your own review/rating
Compare Bevacizumab with other medications
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer, Metastatic
- Colorectal Cancer
- Glioblastoma Multiforme
- Macular Degeneration
- Malignant Glioma
- Neurofibromatosis
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Renal Cell Carcinoma
- Solid Tumors
