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Avastin
Avastin ® ( bevacizumab) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of the following conditions:
Avastin is made by Genentech, Inc.
Avastin is part of a group of medications known as monoclonal antibodies. The drug is an antibody that is designed to bind to and inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a naturally occurring protein that encourages the growth of new blood vessels (including those that feed cancers). By binding to VEGF, Avastin prevents this protein from encouraging new blood vessel growth, essentially helping to "starve" the cancer of its blood supply. Because the drug does not directly kill cells, it is not considered a chemotherapy medication and does not cause many of the usual chemotherapy side effects. However, it is approved only to be used in combination with chemotherapy.
In one study, Avastin was added to a chemotherapy regimen of irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (this regimen is known as IFL) for treating colon or rectal cancer. People taking just IFL chemotherapy lived an average of 15.6 months, while those who took Avastin with IFL chemotherapy lived longer (20.3 months, on average). In other studies, the drug was shown to be effective for treating colon or rectal cancer when used in combination with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) or 5-FU/LV chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and leucovorin).
Avastin has also been studied as a treatment for non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer. People who took the drug in combination with a chemotherapy regimen of paclitaxel and carboplatin survived longer (and had more time before their cancer became worse), compared to people who took paclitaxel and carboplatin without Avastin.
When and How to Take Avastin
General considerations for when and how to take it include the following:
- The medication is given by IV, usually at a hospital or cancer clinic. It is given every two or three weeks, depending on the type of cancer.
- Your first dose of Avastin should be given slowly, over 90 minutes. If you tolerate it well, your next dose can be given over 60 minutes. If you tolerate that dose well, your next dose (and any future doses) can be given over 30 minutes.
- The medication should be stopped several weeks before major surgery and should not be restarted until at least 28 days after surgery and until the surgical wound has fully healed.
- You can take your Avastin infusion with or without food. However, your healthcare provider may have a preference in this matter for other reasons, so be sure to ask your healthcare provider if your stomach should be empty or full when taking the drug.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Avastin will not work if you stop taking it.
The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your weight
- The type of 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.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Avastin. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of Avastin include, but are not limited to:
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Fatigue.
(Click Avastin Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
At this time, little is known about Avastin drug interactions, although the drug does appear to be safe when used with chemotherapy medications (see Avastin Drug Interactions).
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Avastin if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
In studies, people who were given high doses of Avastin (two to four times the recommended dosages) experienced headaches. However, an overdose of this medication is not common, since the drug is administered by a healthcare professional.
If you happen to overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Avastin Be Stored?
Avastin should be stored under refrigeration at your healthcare provider's office, clinic, or pharmacy. It must be diluted before it is given to you, and once it is diluted, it should be used within eight hours.
Avastin is available in the following strengths:
- Avastin 100 mg vials (4 mL)
- Avastin 400 mg vials (16 mL).
At this time, Avastin is not available in generic form (see Generic Avastin).
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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