In late 2010, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that Avastin's breast cancer approval be removed. Studies have not shown the drug to increase survival in people with breast cancer, and there is not sufficient benefit to outweigh the risks.
This action does not affect Avastin's approval for other uses. Healthcare providers may still use Avastin to treat breast cancer, although they will be doing so in an "off-label" fashion.
Avastin Dosage: An Introduction
The dose of Avastin
® (
bevacizumab) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your weight
- Whether you have colon, rectal, or lung cancer
- The type of chemotherapy you are receiving
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your Avastin dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Avastin Dosage for Colorectal Cancer
The recommended dose of Avastin when treating colon or
rectal cancer is either 5 mg or 10 mg per kg (about 2.3 mg to 4.5 mg per pound) given by IV every 14 days. The recommended dose will vary (either 5 or 10 mg per kg) based on the type of chemotherapy you are receiving along with Avastin.