Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Avastin

Generic Name: bevacizumab (Pronunciation: bev a CIZ oo mab)

• What is bevacizumab (Avastin)?
• What are the possible side effects of bevacizumab (Avastin)?
• What is the most important information I should know about bevacizumab (Avastin)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving bevacizumab (Avastin)?
• How is bevacizumab used (Avastin)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Avastin)?
• What happens if I overdose (Avastin)?
• What should I avoid while using bevacizumab (Avastin)?
• What other drugs will affect bevacizumab (Avastin)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is bevacizumab (Avastin)?

Bevacizumab is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Bevacizumab is used to treat a certain type of brain tumor, and certain types of cancers of the kidney, lung, colon and rectum. It is usually given as part of a combination of cancer medicines.

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

What are the possible side effects of bevacizumab (Avastin)?

Bevacizumab can cause a rare but serious neurologic disorder affecting the brain. Symptoms include headache, confusion, vision problems, feeling very weak or tired, fainting, and seizure (blackout or convulsions). These rare symptoms may occur within hours of your first dose of bevacizumab, or they may not appear for up to a year after your treatment started. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects.

Some people receiving a bevacizumab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, or have a headache, wheezing, or chest pain during the injection.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• any wound that will not heal;
• severe stomach pain with fever, vomiting, and constipation;
• blood in your urine or stools, vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin, or any bleeding that will not stop;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;
• sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure);
• puffy eyes, swelling in your stomach, arms, or legs;
• rapid weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all;
• urine that looks foamy;
• pain or burning when you urinate, loss of bladder or bowel control;
• ongoing vaginal discharge, itching, or other irritation; or
• missed menstrual periods.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild headache;
• back pain;
• diarrhea, loss of appetite;
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
• dry or watery eyes;
• dry or flaky skin, hair loss;
• changes in your sense of taste; or
• jaw pain, swelling, numbness, loose teeth, gum infection.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about bevacizumab (Avastin)?

Treatment with bevacizumab may cause you to have problems with wound healing, which could result in bleeding or infection. If you need to have any type of surgery, you will need to stop receiving bevacizumab at least 4 weeks ahead of time. Do not start using bevacizumab for at least 4 weeks after surgery, or until your surgical incision heals.

Before being treated with bevacizumab, tell your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, or a history of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, or stomach or intestinal bleeding (including perforation).

Some people receiving a bevacizumab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, itchy, or have a fast heartbeat, chills, wheezing, or chest pain during the injection.

Call your doctor at once if you have: any unusual bleeding or bruising, blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood, any bleeding that will not stop, severe stomach pain with fever and vomiting, sudden numbness or weakness, leg pain or swelling, chest pain, severe headache, problems with speech or balance, swelling or rapid weight gain, urinating less than usual, loss of bladder or bowel control, or missed menstrual periods.

Bevacizumab can cause a rare but serious neurologic disorder affecting the brain. Symptoms include headache, confusion, vision problems, feeling very weak or tired, fainting, and seizure (blackout or convulsions). These rare symptoms may occur within hours of your first dose of bevacizumab, or they may not appear for up to a year after your treatment started. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your urine may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Bevacizumab may cause a woman's ovaries to stop working correctly. Symptoms of ovarian failure include 3 or more missed menstrual periods in a row. This may affect your fertility (ability to have children). Talk to your doctor about your specific risks.

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