bevacizumab Health Article

Generic name(s):

bevacizumab

Brand name(s):

Avastin

What is the most important information I should know about bevacizumab?

Avoid having surgery while you are being treated with bevacizumab. You may have problems with wound healing, which could result in bleeding or infection.

If you need to have any type of surgery, you will need to stop receiving bevacizumab for at least 4 weeks while your surgical incision heals.

Before being treated with bevacizumab, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, a history of stroke or blood clots, or an open wound.

Some people receiving a bevacizumab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your 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.

Call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as blood in your stools or vomit, sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden headache or confusion, problems with vision or speech, chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, shortness of breath, swelling, rapid weight gain, or flu symptoms.

Bevacizumab can cause a rare but serious neurologic disorder affecting the brain. Symptoms include headache, confusion, vision problems, feeling light-headed, 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.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your urine may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

This medication can affect a woman's fertility (ability to have children). Talk to your doctor about your specific risks.

What is bevacizumab?

Bevacizumab is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Bevacizumab is used to treat cancers of the colon, rectum, lung, or breast. It is usually given as part of a combination of cancer medicines.

Bevacizumab may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using bevacizumab?

Treatment with bevacizumab may cause you to have problems with wound healing, which could result in bleeding or infection. Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor if you have had any type of surgery within the past 4 weeks. You may need to wait until your incision is completely healed before you are treated with bevacizumab.

Before being treated with bevacizumab, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• a history of stroke or blood clots;

• if you have an open wound; or

• if you are receiving chemotherapy or medications to prevent anemia (lack of red blood cells).

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use bevacizumab, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether bevacizumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

Bevacizumab can affect a woman's fertility (ability to have children). Talk to your doctor about your specific risks.