Avastin : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?
Avastin (Bevacizumab) injection products are used together with chemotherapy to treat cancer of the colon (large intestine) or rectum that has spread to other parts of the body. Avastin injection products are also used with chemotherapy to treat certain types of lung cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body, cannot be removed by surgery, or has come back after treatment with other cancer medications. chemotherapy. Avastin injection products are also used to treat glioblastoma (a certain type of cancerous brain tumor) that has not improved or has returned after treatment with other medications. Avastin injection products are also used in combination with another drug to treat renal cell cancer (RCC, a type of cancer that begins in the kidney) that has spread to other parts of the body. Avastin injection products are also used with chemotherapy to treat cervical cancer (cancer that begins at the opening of the uterus [womb]) that has not improved or has come back after treatment with other drugs or has spread to other places. of the body. Avastin injection is used to treat certain types of ovary (female reproductive organs where eggs are formed), fallopian tube (tube that carries eggs released by the ovaries to the uterus), and peritoneal (layer of tissue that covers The abdomen). cancer that has not gotten better or has come back after treatment with other medicines. Avastin injection is also used in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq) to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery in people who have not previously received chemotherapy. Avastin injection products belong to a class of medications called antiangiogenic agents. They work by stopping the formation of blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to tumors. This can slow the growth and spread of tumors.

How should this medicine be used?
Avastin (Bevacizumab) injection products come as a solution (liquid) to be given slowly into a vein. Avastin injection products are administered by a doctor or nurse in a doctor’s office, infusion center, or hospital. Avastin injection products are usually given once every 2 to 3 weeks. Your dosing schedule will depend on the condition you have, the other medications you are using, and how well your body responds to treatment.

It should take 90 minutes for you to receive your first dose of an injection Avastin product. A doctor or nurse will watch you closely to see how your body reacts to Avastin. If you do not have any serious problems when you receive your first dose of an injection product of Avastin, it will generally take 30 to 60 minutes for each of the remaining doses of the medication to receive.

Avastin injection products can cause serious reactions during the infusion of the drug. If you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately: shortness of breath or shortness of breath, chills, tremors, sweating, headaches, chest pain, dizziness, feeling faint, redness, itching, rash, or hives . Your doctor may need to slow down the infusion or delay or stop your treatment if you experience these or other side effects.

Other uses for this medicine
Avastin injection is also sometimes used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD; an ongoing disease of the eye that causes loss of the ability to see straight ahead and can make it more difficult to read, driving or doing other activities). daily activities). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using Avastin to treat your condition.

This medicine may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving a Avastin injection product,

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Avastin, Bevacizumab-awwb, Bevacizumab-bvzr, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Bevacizumab injection products.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); and sunitinib (Sutent). Also tell your doctor if you are taking or have ever taken an anthracycline (a type of chemotherapy used for breast cancer and some types of leukemia) such as daunorubicin (cerubidin), doxorubicin, epirubicin (Ellence), or idarubicin (idamycin ). . Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects.
  • Tell your doctor if you have ever been treated with radiation therapy to the left side of your chest or pelvis; and if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, or any condition that affects your heart or blood vessels (tubes that move blood between the heart and other parts of the body). Also, tell your doctor if you have recently coughed up blood.
  • you should know that Avastin injection products can cause infertility in women (difficulty in getting pregnant); however, you should not assume that you cannot get pregnant. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You must use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with a Avastin injection product and for at least 6 months after your final dose. If you become pregnant while using a Avastin injection product, call your doctor. Avastin can harm the fetus and increase the risk of pregnancy loss.
  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed during your treatment with a Avastin injection product and for at least 6 months after your final dose.
  • You should know that this medicine can decrease fertility in women. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using the Avastin injection product.
  • Tell your doctor if you have recently had surgery or if you plan to have surgery, including dental surgery. If you are scheduled for surgery, your doctor will stop your treatment with a Avastin injection product at least 28 days before surgery. If you have recently had surgery, you should not receive a Avastin injection product until at least 28 days have passed and the area has fully healed.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
If you miss an appointment to receive a dose of a Avastin injection product, call your doctor as soon as possible.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Avastin injection products may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • dizziness
  • loss of appetite
  • heartburn
  • change in ability to taste food
  • diarrhea
  • weight loss
  • sores on the skin or in the mouth
  • voice changes
  • increased or decreased tears
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • muscle or joint pain
  • trouble sleeping

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

  • nosebleeds or bleeding from your gums; coughing up or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; unusual bleeding or bruising; increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding; pink, red, or dark brown urine; red or tarry black bowel movements; or headache, dizziness, or weakness
  • difficulty swallowing
  • slow or difficult speech
  • faintness
  • weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
  • chest pain
  • pain in the arms, neck, jaw, stomach, or upper back
  • shortness of breath or wheezing
  • seizures
  • extreme tiredness
  • confusion
  • change in vision or loss of vision
  • sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
  • swelling of the face, eyes, stomach, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • unexplained weight gain
  • foamy urine
  • pain, tenderness, warmth, redness, or swelling in one leg only
  • redness, itching, or scaling of the skin
  • stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, shivering, or fever

Avastin injection products can cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or is unable to wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.

What other information should I know?
Keep all your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure and test your urine regularly during your treatment with an injection product of Avastin.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

  • Avastin® (Bevacizumab)
  • Mvasi® (Bevacizumab-awwb)
  • Zirabev® (Bevacizumab-bvzr)

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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