Uses of Bevacizumab

Bevacizumab is used in adult patients with Fluoropyrimidine (chemotherapy medicine) to treat metastatic tumour in large bowel (colon or rectum).  It is also used with Paclitaxel/ Capecitabine (chemotherapy medicine) to treat metastatic breast tumour in adult patients. It is also used in the treatment of advanced lung, kidney, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal tumour. 

Therapeutic Category

Bevacizumab: Antiangiogenic agents

How Bevacizumab works

Bevacizumab works by reducing microvascular growth of tumour blood vessels which leads to reduced blood flow to the tumour cells resulting in its death thus treating the disease and preventing its spread to other parts of the body in affected individuals.

Common side effects of Bevacizumab

• Constipation, loss of appetite
• Fever
• Eye problems (such as increase in production of tears)
• Changes in speech/sense of taste
• Runny nose
• Dry skin, flaking, skin inflammation and skin colour changes
• Loss of body weight
• Nose bleeds
• Dry mouth
• Oral sores
• Tiredness
• Voice changes and hoarseness

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor if you experience:

• Feeling of numbness/tingling in hands/feet
• Low white blood cell count leading to infection (which may be accompanied by fever) / low platelet count leading to bleeding (including in lungs)/ blocking of veins by blood clot, low red cell count in blood (Anemia)
• Severe abdominal pain, perforation of the gut, diarrhoea, nausea, and/or vomiting, blood in stools (faeces)/blood in vomit
• Redness, peeling, tenderness, pain, and/or blistering on fingers/feet
• Severe headache, back pain and pain in the pelvis and anal regions
• Serious infections of skin/deeper layers under the skin (especially if you had holes in the gut wall/problems with wound healing)
• Brain condition with symptoms such as seizures (fits), headache, confusion, and/or changes in vision

Health Tips for Bevacizumab

• Bevacizumab will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into a vein as an intravenous infusion. Your doctor will determine the correct dose and duration for you based upon your age, body weight and disease condition
• Drinking plenty of water can help flush toxins from your body and maintain overall health
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity (as advised by your healthcare provider), and managing stress
• Regular check-ups and follow-up appointments with your medical team are important to monitor your progress and address any concerns
• Bevacizumab is not recommended for use in pregnant women. Women of childbearing age must use a suitable contraceptive before and during treatment with Bevacizumab to avoid pregnancy and up to 6 months after discontinuation
• Bevacizumab is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women