Bevacizumab

Bevacizumab

Why is it prescribed?

Bevacizumab is used in combination with a carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy regimen, for treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

Products that have this ingredient include •Abevmy® injection •Bambevi® •Mvasi® •

See other drugs used in the treatment of •non-small cell lung cancer •

Most common side effects:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diarrhea, vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Lack of energy or strength
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pain (including joint pain)
  • Bleeding (from the nose or rectum)
  • Sores in the mouth
  • Shortness of breath
  • Runny nose
  • Dry, scaling skin or changes in skin colour
  • Changes in the sense of taste
  • Eye problems 
  • A decrease in certain white blood cells in the blood that help fight off infection
  • anemia
  • Difficulty in sleeping
  • Fever, chills or excessive sweating
  • Headache
  • Tingling sensation or numbness in toes and fingers
  • Bronchitis
  • Bruising
  • Change in moods
  • Infections (mouth, throat, sinus, lungs or urine infections)
  • Excess of sugar in the blood
  • Weight loss
  • Widening of the blood vessels
  • Low levels of sodium and magnesium in the blood
  • Coughing
  • Tiredness

Common :

  • Pain (including muscle pain, chest pain, heart pain (angina), back pain, and pain in thepelvis and anal regions)
  • Stroke/heart attack
  • Blood clots
  • Perforation of the stomach
  • Altered voice such as hoarseness
  • Swelling and numbness of the hand and feet
  • Urinary (bladder or kidney) infection
  • Infections of the skin or deeper layers under the skin
  • Allergic reactions
  • Nephrotic syndrome (a type of kidney disorder)

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody - a type of protein designed to target and interfere with the growth of cancer cells. It selectively binds to and neutralizes the biologic activity of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) thereby reducing the blood supply to the cancer cells and preventing their growth.

 


Do not use if allergic to bevacizumab or any of the other ingredients in the medication.

Consult your physician or pharmacist if you:

  • have high blood pressure
  • plan to have surgery or have had surgery in the last 28 days
  • have ever had a heart attack or stroke
  • have any illnesses or diseases affecting your kidneys
  • have heart failure or weakened heart muscles
  • have ever coughed up blood or had abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • are diabetic

Drug Interactions:

  • irinotecan
  • sunitinib malate. 
  • platinum- or taxane-based therapies
  • EGFR monoclonal antibodies 

Safety in pregnancy: bevacizumab can harm the fetus. Use effective methods of contraception while taking it and for at least 6 months after the last dose.

Safety in breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed while on bevacizumab.