BEVACIZUMAB

Bevacizumab is the first antiangiogenic agent, a drug that inhibits the formation of new blood vessels, to receive approval for medical use in 2004.

Bevacizumab Injection has been developed to treat solid tumors by injecting it directly into the bloodstream. Bevacizumab Injection has been approved to treat several primary and advanced-stage cancers such as metastatic breast cancer, metastatic cervical cancer, Glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer), advanced kidney cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, Liver Cancer- Hepatocellular carcinoma and the cancers of the ovary, cervical, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

A healthcare professional will administer Bevacizumab injection as an intravenous infusion to the patients. The first dose will be given for 90 minutes and later the duration of the infusion will be reduced to 30 minutes if the patient is well tolerated. The number of infusions to be administered is typically based on the patient’s response to the therapy. The oncologist will calculate the amount of Bevacizumab Injection administered based on the patients’ height, weight, body surface area, and the type of cancer being diagnosed. This injection is available in two dosages i.e bevacizumab 100mg injection and 400mg injection. Each 4ml vial contains 100mg of Bevacizumab Injection and a 16ml vial contains 400mg of Bevacizumab Injection.

The common side effects that are likely to occur while you are on the treatment with Bevacizumab Injection are numbness in feet, extreme fatigue, high blood pressure, dry mouth, bleeding complications, holes developing in the stomach, blisters on the skin, increase in pulse rate, darkened urine color, mouth sores, formation of blood clots in the blood vessels, muscle and joint pain. If you experience any allergic reactions such as excessive sweating, chest pain, tremors report to your doctor immediately.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath, fever > 100°F, or severe bleeding. During the Bevacizumab injection treatment, your doctor may periodically monitor your white blood cell counts, platelets, blood sugar, electrolytes and kidney parameters to prevent serious complications. Report to your doctor if you have had a history of heart failure. It is not recommended to take this medicine before or after 28 days of surgery as it causes delay in wound healing. Get immediate medical attention if you have any visual disturbances.

The delayed effects of taking Bevacizumab Injection involve menstrual irregularities, ovarian failure and impair fertility in women. It is advised for both men and women to follow proper contraceptive methods if they are planning for pregnancy in the near future. Ideally, it is better to continue birth control methods for a minimum of 6 months after completion of the treatment. Avoid breastfeeding your baby while you are on the treatment as bevacizumab can impact the growth and development of the baby by passing into the breast milk.

Bevacizumab may cause constipation, so adequate fluid intake is recommended throughout the treatment. Maintaining a nutritious and well-balanced diet may also be beneficial. Patients experiencing dizziness or changes in vision should avoid driving or operating machinery until these symptoms resolve. To help prevent mouth ulcers, rinsing the mouth approximately three times a day is recommended. Applying a cool compress to the injection site may help relieve pain and discomfort.

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/bevacizumab https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/drugs/bevacizumab https://www.gene.com/download/pdf/avastin_prescribing.pdf https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3885.pdf https://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/bevacizumab.aspx