Bevacizumab
Generic medicine reference
Not yet clinically reviewed
This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.
Overview
Bevacizumab injection is a targeted cancer drug used to treat types of colon and rectal cancer , non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), glioblastoma, renal cell cancer (RCC), cervical cancer, ovarian cancer , fallopian tube cancer , or peritoneal cancer. Avastin is also used to treat types of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Bevacizumab belongs to a class of medications called antiangiogenic agents. Bevacizumab works by stopping the formation of blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to tumors. This may slow the growth and spread of tumors.
Avastin was the first brand of bevacizumab to be approved by the FDA on February 26, 2004, and is called the reference product. Biosimilars of Avastin are Alymsys , Jobevne , Mvasi , Vegzelma , and Zirabev . Bevacizumab is used together with other chemotherapy medications.
Indications
Bevacizumab injection is a targeted cancer drug used to treat types of colon and rectal cancer , non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), glioblastoma, renal cell cancer (RCC), cervical cancer, ovarian cancer , fallopian tube cancer , or peritoneal cancer. Avastin is also used to treat types of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Bevacizumab belongs to a class of medications called antiangiogenic agents. Bevacizumab works by stopping the formation of blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to tumors. This may slow the growth and spread of tumors.
Avastin was the first brand of bevacizumab to be approved by the FDA on February 26, 2004, and is called the reference product. Biosimilars of Avastin are Alymsys , Jobevne , Mvasi , Vegzelma , and Zirabev . Bevacizumab is used together with other chemotherapy medications.
Contraindications
You may not be able to use bevacizumab if you are being treating with other cancer medicines such as doxorubicin , daunorubicin , or if you have or ever had:
ovarian cancer with symptoms such as severe stomach pain or pelvic pain; slow healing of a skin wound or surgical incision; surgery within the past 4 weeks (28 days); you plan to have surgery within the next 4 weeks (28 days); or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
diabetes; heart problems such as a heart attack , stroke, blood clot or blood clotting disorder; high blood pressure ; bleeding problems or a perforation (a hole or tear) in your esophagus, stomach, or intestines; or kidney disease.
Side Effects
Common bevacizumab side effects may include increased blood pressure, headache, back pain, dry or watery eyes, dry or flaky skin, stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, or altered sense of taste.
Serious bevacizumab side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to bevacizumab, including hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your medical caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, sweaty, or have a headache, chest tightness, back pain , trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.
Bevacizumab can cause a serious but rare neurologic disorder that affects the brain. Symptoms may occur within hours of your first dose or may not appear for up to a year after your treatment started. Call your doctor at once if you have extreme weakness or tiredness, headache, confusion, vision problems, fainting, or seizures (blackout or convulsions).
Bevacizumab can cause you to bleed more easily. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have:
easy bruising, unusual bleeding, or any bleeding that will not stop; signs of bleeding in your digestive tract - severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or signs of bleeding in the brain - sudden numbness or weakness, slurred speech, severe headache, problems with vision or balance.
Some people taking bevacizumab have developed a perforation (a hole or tear) or a fistula (an abnormal passageway) in the stomach, intestines, throat, lungs, gallbladder, kidney, bladder, or vagina. Call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain or if you feel like you are choking when you eat or drink.
Also call your doctor if you have:
slow wound healing; skin infection or open sores; missed menstrual periods; kidney problems - swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; signs of a blood clot - chest pain, sudden cough or shortness of breath, dizziness, coughing up blood, pain, swelling, or warmth in one leg; heart problems - chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea , sweating, swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; or low white blood cell counts - fever , mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat , cough.
Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.
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
Warnings
Bevacizumab can make it easier for you to bleed. Seek emergency medical attention if you have any bleeding that will not stop. You may also have bleeding on the inside of your body.
Call your doctor if you have: signs of bleeding in your digestive tract--feeling very weak or dizzy, severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or signs of bleeding in the brain--sudden numbness or weakness, slurred speech, severe headache , problems with vision or balance.
Bevacizumab can also cause problems with wound healing, which could result in bleeding or infection. Do not use bevacizumab within 28 days before or after a planned surgery .
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 medical 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.
High Risk Groups
Bevacizumab can make it easier for you to bleed. Seek emergency medical attention if you have any bleeding that will not stop. You may also have bleeding on the inside of your body.
Call your doctor if you have: signs of bleeding in your digestive tract--feeling very weak or dizzy, severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or signs of bleeding in the brain--sudden numbness or weakness, slurred speech, severe headache , problems with vision or balance.
Bevacizumab can also cause problems with wound healing, which could result in bleeding or infection. Do not use bevacizumab within 28 days before or after a planned surgery .
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 medical 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.
Adult Dosage
No adult dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Child Dosage
No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Neonatal Dosage
No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor about all other cancer treatments you are receiving.
Other drugs may interact with bevacizumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Storage
No storage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Available Brands in Pakistan
5 active brands listed alphabetically.
ABEVMY
ActiveAGP (PRIVATE) LTD.
DML: ABEVMY
Inj
AVASTIN
ActiveROCHE PAKISTAN LTD.
DML: AVASTIN
Inj
CIZUMAB
ActiveSEARLE PAKISTAN (PVT.) LTD.
DML: CIZUMAB
Inj
STIVANT
ActiveCCL Pharmaceuticals (Pvt.) Ltd. DML: 000052
DML: STIVANT
Inj
ZIRABEV
ActivePFIZER LABORATORIES LTD.
DML: ZIRABEV
Inj
