As an antiangiogenic drug, Bevacizumab (Brand Name Avastin) is used in order to treat a certain type of brain tumor as well as cancers of the colon, rectum, kidney, lung, or breast. The avastin is usually prescribed in order to be given as part of a combination of cancer medications.
Mechanism of Action: The bevacizumab is not chemotherapy but used together with a specific type of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy basically attacks the tumour directly, and the drug bevacizumab 400 mg attacks the blood vessels that specifically surround the tumour.
In order to grow as well as spread, tumours require a persistent supply of oxygen as well as other nutrients. Tumours manages this supply in order to create their own network of blood vessels. This entire process is known as angiogenesis. The medication bevacizumab acts by blocking this angiogenesis. In order to prevent the growth of new blood vessels, this drug helps starve the tumour of oxygen as well as other nutrients. This makes it difficult for the tumour in order to grow.
How is it given: Bevacizumab is recommended to be given as an infusion. It means that you get this medicine through a small needle in the vein or through a port, a kind of device placed under the skin. Because it is given as an infusion, infusion-related effects may occur.
The bevacizumab dosage that you will receive directly depends on multiple factors, including your height, weight, general health and other health related complications, and the type of cancer or condition you're being treated. Your healthcare practitioner will specify your dose as well as schedule.
Possible Side Effects: Like all medications, bevacizumab may also be responsible for causing some unwanted adverse reactions.
Most commonly reported bevacizumab side effects may include:
Fever
Chills
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Nausea
Bronchitis
Bruising
High blood pressure
Lack of energy/strength
Loss of appetite
Pain (including joint pain)
Bleeding (from the nose or rectum)
Sores in the mouth
Shortness of breath
Runny nose
Changes in skin colour
Changes in the sense of taste
Excessive tearing
Blurred vision
Reduced white blood cells
Reduced red blood cells
Difficulty in sleeping
Coughing
Tiredness
Excessive sweating
Headache
Protein in the urine
Tingling sensation
Numbness in toes and fingers
Change in moods
Excess of sugar in the blood
Weight loss
Widening of the blood vessels
Low levels of sodium/magnesium in the blood
Infections (mouth, sinus, throat, lungs or urine infections).
Warnings & Precautions:
The bevacizumab 400 mg is not used by patients who are allergic to it or any of its ingredients or to patients whose cancer has reached their central nervous system. Use of it should be avoided for at least 28 days after the surgery.
The treatment with this drug may be responsible for causing the gastrointestinal perforation, which may be fatal. Bevacizumab treatment should be interrupted in case this situation occurs.
Treatment with bevacizumab 400 mg may result in the serious/fatal bleeding, including coughing up blood, vomiting of blood, vaginal bleeding, bleeding in the stomach, bleeding in the brain, and nosebleeds. Treatment should be permanently stopped in case the serious bleeding occurs.
It should not be used while pregnancy as it may be responsible for causing harm to an unborn baby. In case you become pregnant while on treatment with this drug, inform your healthcare provider immediately.
The avastin 400 may be responsible for affecting the hormonal balance of females and their ability to get pregnant as an outcome of ovarian failure. In case you are a female of reproductive potential, discuss with your healthcare team prior to starting treatment.
In case you develop vision problems, headache, dizziness, or change in mental status (for example, confusion) contact your healthcare practitioner immediately.
Drug Interactions: Drugs that may be responsible in order to interact with bevacizumab include:
Irinotecan
Sunitinib malate
Your healthcare practitioner may adjust the irinotecan dose in case you have adverse reactions known to be related to it. The safety as well as effectiveness of bevacizumab uses together with sunitinib malate are not specified, so avoid using this combination.
Inform your healthcare practitioner in case you are on with platinum- or taxane-based therapies for lung. Such therapies together with bevacizumab may be responsible for increasing the risk of severe adverse reactions.
The interaction of bevacizumab together with EGFR monoclonal antibodies is unspecified, therefore it is not recommended to use this combination.
Drug Overdose: In case of suspected drug overdose, particularly the accidental oral ingestion, reach out to your healthcare
practitioner, or nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed Dose: In case of a missed bevacizumab dose, your healthcare practitioner will decide when you need to receive your next dose.
Storage Guidelines: Bevacizumab needs to be stored in a refrigerator at a temp. between 2°C to 8°C. It is for single use only. The vials are recommended to be used once only and any remaining contents must be discarded.
Cost: The bevacizumab cost may vary from branded (innovator) to non-branded (generic) drugs. Price for a single vial of Avastin 400 mg Injection is around 116000 INR.
NOTE: The piece of information provided about bevacizumab 100 mg in this article is only for the informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis of an experienced healthcare practitioner.