Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer); monoclonal antibody
Generic and brand names: bevacizumab, injection; Avastin
This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat:
It is given with other medicines. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Also tell your healthcare provider if you have had surgery in the past month.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use an effective birth control method while you are taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping it. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
The infusions are usually given every 2 to 3 weeks by your healthcare provider. Be sure to keep all appointments for these infusions and for blood tests to find out how this medicine affects you. While you are receiving this medicine, your healthcare provider will carefully watch you for any serious side effects.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines to reduce nausea and diarrhea, which are common side effects of this medicine. Follow your healthcare provider's directions exactly.
This is a very strong medicine and may cause serious and life-threatening side effects. If you have severe stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting or fever, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine may keep wounds from healing properly. It may also cause serious and sometimes life-threatening bleeding. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you cough up blood, notice any unusual bleeding, or have a wound that splits open.
This medicine may cause the ovaries to stop working (ovarian failure). This may make you unable to have children. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have decreased sexual drive, hot flashes, irregular periods or have missed a period for 3 months, irritability, night sweats, or painful sex.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first. If you develop a fever (over 100°F), contact your healthcare provider right away. The fever may be caused by a low white blood cell count, which would increase your risk of getting severe infections.
This medicine may increase your risk for blood clots, angina, stroke, or a heart attack. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Use an effective method of birth control while you are receiving this medicine and for at least one month after your therapy is completed.
You will need to have regular lab tests and blood pressure checks while receiving this medicine. Keep all appointments.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat); chest pain, pain with breathing, shortness of breath, coughing up blood.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unusual bleeding or bruising; vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds; black, tarry stools; red or brown urine; unexplained pain or swelling in chest, face, hands, feet, or other joints; leg numbness or weakness; severe or prolonged diarrhea; high fever, chills, cough, or sore throat; severe nausea and vomiting; constipation with stomach pain and vomiting; fainting; sudden loss of vision; sudden headache or confusion; swelling, pain, or warmth in the calf; increase or decrease in urinating; seizures; irregular periods or missing a period for 3 months; hot flashes; night sweats; decrease in sexual drive; irritability; painful sex; thinning and drying of vagina.
Other: Loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, unusual taste in mouth, white patches in your mouth or on your tongue, headache, muscle pain, weight loss, runny or stuffy nose, heartburn, dizziness, hair loss, dry mouth, voice changes.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
