Bevacizumab belongs to a group of cancer-fighting medications called antineoplastics, and specifically to the group of antineoplastics called biological response modifiers. It is used in combination with certain types of chemotherapy medications to treat colon or rectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. While chemotherapy directly attacks a tumour, this medication works by stopping the tumour from forming new blood vessels.

Bevacizumab can also be used in combination with other chemotherapy medications to treat certain types of lung, brain, ovarian, fallopian, and peritoneal cancers.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended adult dose of bevacizumab is based on body weight and given as an intravenous infusion by your doctor. The dose and frequency depend on the type of cancer that the medication is being used to treat. The first dose should be given slowly over 90 minutes, and if the side effects are acceptable, the second dose can be given over 60 minutes. If the side effects are still acceptable, future infusions can be given over 30 minutes.

Very careful handling of this medication is required, and it is always given in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. It is important this medication be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive bevacizumab, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

Each vial contains bevacizumab 25 mg/mL as either bevacizumab 100 mg in 4 mL or bevacizumab 400 mg in 16 mL. Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium phosphate, α,α-trehalose dihydrate, polysorbate 20, and water for injection.

Do not use bevacizumab if you:

• are allergic to bevacizumab or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to Chinese hamster ovary cell products or other recombinant human or humanised antibodies
• have untreated cancer that has spread to the central nervous system

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• changes in taste sensation
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dry, scaly skin or changes in skin colour
• hoarseness
• lack of energy or strength
• loss of appetite
• headache
• mouth sores
• nausea
• runny nose
• trouble sleeping
• unusual pain (e.g., joint, muscle, back pain)
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• changes in blood or urine tests
• chest pain
• chills or excessive sweating
• high or low blood pressure
• high blood sugar (increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, weakness)
• increased infections (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
• jaw pain
• shortness of breath
• signs of anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
• signs of bleeding (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don’t stop bleeding)
• signs of heart failure (e.g., feet or ankle swelling, fatigue when doing regular household activities, shortness of breath, coughing)
• swelling and numbness of the hands or feet
• symptoms of kidney disorders (e.g., swelling in the face, arms, or legs; poor appetite; foamy appearance of urine)
• symptoms of low sodium levels in the blood (e.g., achy, stiff or uncoordinated muscles, confusion, tiredness, weakness)
• symptoms of a urinary tract infection (e.g., pain when urinating, urinating more often than usual, low back or flank pain)
• tingling sensation in the fingers and toes
• vision changes
• weight loss
• wounds that are slow to heal

Stop using the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain that spreads to the arms, jaw, or back
• loss of vision or blurred vision
• pain, swelling, warmth, or tenderness in the leg
• rapidly spreading skin infection
• signs of bleeding in the stomach (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools; spitting up of blood; vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
• signs of heart attack (e.g., sudden chest pain or pain radiating to back, down arm, jaw; sensation of fullness of the chest; nausea; vomiting; sweating; anxiety)
• signs and symptoms of hypertensive encephalopathy, e.g.:
  • headache
  • nausea
  • seizures or confusion
  • very high blood pressure
  • vision problems
  • vomiting
• signs of a rare neurological disorder called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), e.g.:
  • confusion
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • high blood pressure
  • seizures
  • vision problems or blindness
• signs of stroke (e.g., sudden or severe headache; sudden loss of coordination; vision changes; sudden slurring of speech; unexplained weakness, numbness, or pain in arm or leg)
• sudden shortness of breath
• sudden stomach pain or tenderness with constipation, vomiting, or high fever
• symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, e.g.:
  • difficulty breathing
  • hives
  • swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
• unexplained dizziness or sudden falls

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Blood clotting: Treatment with bevacizumab should be stopped for people who develop clots that block their blood vessels. Tell your doctor if you have a history of clotting or are over 65 years of age, as you may be at increased risk of experiencing blood clot-related problems such as heart attack, stroke, or clots in the deep veins of your leg.

Fertility: Bevacizumab may cause failure of the ovaries. The long-term effects of treatment with this medication on fertility are not known. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Gastrointestinal perforations: This medication can cause gastrointestinal perforations (holes in the wall of the stomach or intestine). Treatment with bevacizumab should be stopped for people who develop perforations, as they can lead to bacterial contamination and an infection of the stomach area. Symptoms include severe stomach pain that gets worse during movement, along with nausea, constipation, and vomiting, followed by fever and chills.

Heart failure: Tell your doctor if you have had chemotherapy in the past with a class of medications called anthracyclines (e.g., daunorubicin, doxorubicin, mitoxantrone) or have had radiation therapy to your chest area, as you may be at higher risk of experiencing heart failure. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you develop symptoms of heart problems such as shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or swollen ankles.

Hemorrhage: There have been reports of severe and sometimes fatal bleeding in people receiving this medication. The most serious bleeding may occur in the stomach and the brain. Your doctor will stop treatment with bevacizumab if you develop serious bleeding. If you notice signs of serious bleeding, such as vomiting blood or coffee grounds-like substance, or bleeding from the rectum, get immediate medical attention.

High blood pressure and hypertensive encephalopathy: Bevacizumab can cause high blood pressure. People with uncontrolled high blood pressure should be closely monitored by their doctor. Your blood pressure should be monitored every 2 to 3 weeks during treatment with bevacizumab. If you develop high blood pressure that requires treatment, this medication should be stopped until your blood pressure is controlled. If you develop severe high blood pressure known as hypertensive crisis, this medication should be permanently stopped.

In some cases, a complication of high blood pressure that affects the brain called hypertensive encephalopathy can occur. Signs and symptoms of this complication include very high blood pressure, headache, nausea, vomiting, vision problems, and seizures or confusion. Get immediate medical attention if you experience any of these signs and symptoms.

Hypersensitivity and infusion reactions: Infusion reactions can occur while you are receiving this medication. In severe cases, headache, chest pain, difficulty breathing, high blood pressure, and sweating with cold, clammy skin have been reported. If you experience any of these symptoms, let your clinic nurse or doctor know immediately.

Some people using bevacizumab have experienced a severe allergic reaction called hypersensitivity syndrome. This reaction affects a number of organs in the body and may be fatal if not treated quickly. Stop taking the medication and get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including fever, swollen glands, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or flu-like symptoms with skin rash or blistering.

Infection: This medication may increase the risk of infection. If possible, avoid contact with people who have contagious infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, listlessness, or redness, pus, or swelling near a cut, contact your doctor. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.

Necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease), a severe, fast-developing skin infection has been linked to the use of bevacizumab. This infection can be life-threatening. If you develop symptoms of a skin infection, such as sudden, severe pain in the wounded area, fever, redness, heat, swelling, or fluid-filled blisters in the skin or discoloured skin over the affected area, seek medical help immediately.

Jaw problems: Rarely, bevacizumab may cause severe jaw problems, especially in people who have had invasive dental procedures or are taking bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate, risedronate). If you experience any pain in the jaw, contact your doctor immediately. Invasive dental procedures should be avoided if possible.

Kidney damage: People with a history of high blood pressure may have an increased risk of proteinuria (high levels of protein in urine) when treated with this medication. If you have high blood pressure, you will need to have regular urine tests before starting and while taking bevacizumab. If the tests show protein in the urine, your doctor may recommend stopping the medication.

Kidney and liver disease: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication has not been established for people who have kidney or liver disease.

Neurological problems: This medication can cause a rare neurological disorder called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Signs and symptoms of PRES include seizures, headache, confusion, vision problems or blindness, dizziness, and high blood pressure. If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, get medical attention immediately.

Wound healing: This medication may slow the healing of wounds. Treatment should not be started for at least 28 days after major surgery or until the wound is fully healed. If you will be having surgery, treatment with bevacizumab will be stopped during this time. There have been rare reports of necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) in people who have received bevacizumab.

Pregnancy: This medication may affect a baby's development in the womb and should not be used during pregnancy. It is strongly recommended that people who may become pregnant take proper contraceptive measures (e.g., use of a condom) for at least 6 months after the last dose of bevacizumab.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if bevacizumab passes into breast milk. You should avoid breast-feeding while taking bevacizumab and should not breast-feed for 6 months after stopping treatment.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

Seniors: Tell your doctor if you are over 65 years of age with a history of blood clotting, as you may be at risk of experiencing related problems, such as heart attack and stroke.

For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.

If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.