BEVACIZUMAB 400MG INJECTION (AVASTIN)

Side effects of Avastin (Bevacizumab 400mg Injection)

This medicine may cause some serious and unwanted side effects. Which requires immediate medical attention otherwise it can also lead to higher risk. Do not forget to discuss the risk and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

Common side effects 

• Bleeding gums 

• Chest pain 

• Sore throat 

• Fever 

• Dizziness 

• Irregular heartbeat 

• Loss of appetite 

• Body pain 

• Runny nose 

• Vomiting 

• Diarrhea 

• Seizures 

• Unusual bleeding 

• High blood pressure 

• Nose bleeds 

• Dry skin 

• Swelling of the feet, fingers, lower legs. 

• Protein in urine 

• Taste change 

• Cough

• Shortness of breath 

• Fatigue 

• Nasal congestion 

• Pale skin

• Headache 

• Hypertension 

• Blood clots 

Note- If any of these symptoms occur, contact your doctor 

Dosage of Bevacizumab 400mg injection

Take this injection as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take this medicine in the wrong way and make sure to take this injection according to your dosing schedule. 

Missed dose 

• This medication is given by your doctor or nurse. If you miss an appointment for a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately. 

Overdose 

• This medication is given by your doctor or nurse. In case of an overdose, your doctor will provide emergency medical treatment. 

Usage of Avastin (Bevacizumab 400mg Injection) 

This is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. It is also used to treat cancer of the membrane lining. Bevacizumab 400mg injection is used alone or in combination with other medicines. Take this medicine according to your medical advisor and do not self-administer this injection. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms during treatment with this medicine. This medication may take some time to show results. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your medical advisor told you to do so. Avastin injection is given once every 2 or 3 weeks.

Warnings

Before starting treatment with Avastin, please tell your doctor about your previous medical history. If you experience any symptoms while receiving this medicine do not ignore those symptoms because it may lead to a higher risk. 

•  Contraception 

  • Use effective methods of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine. 

• Children and adolescents 

  • This medicine is not advisable for use in children and adolescents. 

Warnings for female 

• Pregnancy 

  • Avastin shouldn’t be used by women who are pregnant. Atezolizumab may harm the baby. It is recommended that this medication should be avoided during pregnancy. 

• Breastfeeding 

  • This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless it is necessary. Please consult your medical advisor before starting treatment with this medicine. 

General warning and precaution while taking Bevacizumab 400mg injection

• This medicine may cause dizziness or fainting and it may affect your ability to drive. 

• This medicine may cause severe bleeding disorders and gastrointestinal perforation. 

• This medication may delay wound healing. 

• Close monitoring of heart function is required. 

• The use of this medicine may cause fetal harm. 

Cautions 

• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery. 

• Not safe for pregnant women. 

• Do not self self-administer medicine. 

• Do not breastfeed while taking this medication. 

Q1. What is Avastin (Bevacizumab 400mg Injection)? 

Ans. This infusion is used to treat a certain type of brain tumor and cancer of the kidney, colorectal, lung, ovarian, etc.   

Q2. How does bevacizumab 400mg injection work? 

Ans. Avastin injection works by blocking a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This stops the formation of blood vessels.  

Q3. What are the side effects of bevacizumab 400mg injection? 

Ans. Some common side effects of bevacizumab 400mg injection are:- chest pain, sore throat, dizziness, severe bleeding, high blood pressure, kidney or heart problems, loss of appetite, body pain, etc. 

Q4. How is Avastin given? 

Ans. This medicine is given in the form of an injection which is given by your doctor or nurse. This medication is usually given once every 2 or 3 weeks. 

Q5. What should I avoid while receiving a bevacizumab 400mg injection? 

Ans. Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions.  

Q6. How long does it take this medicine to show effect?

 Ans. After the administration, the effect of this medicine can be observed immediately. 

Q7. In what strength is it available? 

Ans. It is available in the strength of 100mg/4ml. 

Q8. What happens if I miss a dose? 

Ans. If you miss an appointment for a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately. 

Q9. Does this affect liver function? 

Ans. Please consult your medical condition with your doctor before consuming this drug. 

Q10. Can I consume alcohol while taking bevacizumab 400mg injection? 

Ans. It is not known whether it is safe or not. Please consult your doctor before consuming alcohol. 

Q11. Can I drive after taking bevacizumab 400mg injection? 

Ans. This medicine may decrease your ability to drive or affect your vision. Do not drive if any symptoms occur. 

Q12. Can I take bevacizumab 400mg injection during pregnancy? 

Ans. This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women. 

Q13. Can I take bevacizumab 400mg injectione during breastfeeding? 

Ans. This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless it is necessary.

Q14. What are the storage conditions? 

Ans. Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Do not freeze or shake the medicine.

Interactions

Interactions may change how your medication works and increase the risk for side effects. Don’t forget to disclose your previous medical history with your doctor. 

Medicine interaction 

• Deferiprone 

• Palifermin 

• Sunitinib 

• Topotecan 

• Pamidronate 

• Risedronate 

Disease interaction 

• Gastrointestinal perforation 

• Bleeding 

• Hypertension 

• Proteinuria

Alcohol interaction 

• Interaction with alcohol is unknown, please consult your doctor before consuming alcohol. 

Contraindications 

• Avastin injection is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Bevacizumab. 

• This medicine is contracted in patients with known hypersensitivity to Bevacizumab.

• This medicine is not recommended in patients with bleeding disorders. 

• Avastin injection should not be used until surgical wounds are fully recovered.

Reference

Bevacizumab injection: MedlinePlus drug information. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607001.html

Bevacizumab Interactions Checker. Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/bevacizumab.html

Bevacizumab: Uses, interactions, mechanism of action | DrugBank Online. DrugBank. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00112