Bevacizumab | Medindia

Bevacizumab

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat certain types of advanced cancers.

It gained attention due to increased usage in severe COVID-19.
Indications:
• Bevacizumab is indicated for treating colorectal cancer that spreads to other areas along with intravenous fluorouracil- based chemotherapy.
• Certain types of liver cancer
• Certain types of renal(kidney) cell cancer, cervical, fallopian tube, ovarian cancers, Glioblastoma of the brain.
• Severe COVID-19

Trade names:
Bevacizumab is popularly known as:
• Avastin
• Zybev
• Bryxta
• Abevmy
• Bevarest
• Cizumab etc.

How does Bevacizumab work?
Bevacizumab inhibits a protein named Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF helps for promoting blood vessel growth, providing nutrition for cancer cells. By inhibiting VEGF, bevacizumab inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

Classification: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

Dosage forms: Bevacizumab is available in the following forms:
• Injection
Bevacizumab injection is available in the following strengths:
• 100 mg/4 ml
• 400 mg/16 ml

How to take Bevacizumab?

This medication available in the form of injection, administered by health care provider, intravenously.

• It is taken in the dose of 5-10 mg/kg body weight every 2 weeks with other chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal cancer
• For lung cancer: 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with carboplatin and paclitaxel
• For Renal Cancer - 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks
• The recommended dosage is 10 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks for glioblastoma.
• 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with paclitaxel and cisplatin, or paclitaxel and topotecan for Stage III or IV ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal
cancer after surgical resection.

What are the common SIDE EFFECTS?

Bevacizumab is generally safe.
In case of severe or disturbing side effects consult the doctor immediately. The most common side effects are epistaxis or nose bleeding, headache, hypertension, rhinitis, proteinuria, taste alteration, dry skin, hemorrhage, lacrimation disorder, back pain and exfoliative dermatitis etc.

Other side effects include:

• Gastrointestinal- Constipation, diarrhea, increased thirst, indigestion, loss of appetite, mouth pain or sores, nausea, vomiting, black, tarry stools and dry mouth.
• Central Nervous System- Dizziness, tiredness
• Skin- Hair loss, swelling, or redness at the injection site, rash, hives, itching and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
• Eye and ENT- Voice changes.
• Heart- Difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, congestive heart failure, calf pain or tenderness and chest pain.
• Miscellaneous- Muscle pain, sluggishness, weakness and weight loss.

PRECAUTIONS need to be taken.
Caution is required in patients with:

• Gastrointestinal perforations and Fistula
• Hemorrhage
• Blood clots
• Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)
• Renal Injury and Proteinuria
• Pregnant and lactating women
• Ovarian Failure
• Heart Failure

Special instructions:
• Discontinue bevacizumab in patients who develop wound healing complications that require medical intervention or necrotizing fasciitis.
• Do not administer or mix bevacizumab with dextrose solutions.

When should you NOT take Bevacizumab?
Bevacizumab should not be used in patients with-
• Allergy to Bevacizumab or any of the ingredients

Can Bevacizumab INTERACT with other drugs?
Bevacizumab can interact with the following drugs in various extents:
• Paclitaxel
• Carboplatin

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