Bevacizumab

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Alymsys; Avastin; Mvasi; Vegzelma; Zirabev

Brand Names: Canada

Abevmy; Avastin; Aybintio; Bambevi; Mvasi; Vegzelma; Zirabev

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat cancer.
• This drug is not approved for use in children. However, the doctor may decide the benefits of taking this drug outweigh the risks. If your child has been given this drug, ask the doctor for information about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions about giving this drug to your child.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child has high blood pressure.
• If your child has active or recent bleeding or coughing up blood.
• If this drug is being used to treat ovarian cancer and the cancer is also in certain parts of your child’s bowels or your child has bowel blockage.
• If your child is taking or has taken daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, or valrubicin.

If your child is breast-feeding a baby:

• Be sure your child does not breast-feed a baby while taking this drug or within 6 months after the last dose.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• This drug may affect how wounds heal, including problems with healing after surgery. Problems healing after surgery can be deadly. If your child needs to have surgery, you may need to stop giving this drug before surgery. Start giving it again after surgery as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly holes in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract or fistulas have happened with this drug. Talk with the doctor.
• Your child may have more chance of getting infections. Have your child wash hands often. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Your child may bleed more easily. Make sure your child is careful and avoids injury. Be sure your child has a soft toothbrush. Rarely, some bleeding problems have been deadly.
• A very bad and sometimes deadly brain problem called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has happened with this drug. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• Blood clots have happened with this drug. Sometimes, blood clots like heart attack and stroke have been deadly. Talk with the doctor.
• High blood pressure has happened with this drug. Have your child’s blood pressure checked as you have been told by the doctor.
• Have your child’s blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by the doctor.
• Some patients have very bad side effects during the infusion. Tell your child’s doctor if your child has any bad effects during the infusion.
• This drug may cause menstrual periods to stop in people who can get pregnant. This may affect being able to have children. It is not known if this will go back to normal. Talk with the doctor.

If your child is or may be sexually active:

• This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if your child takes it during pregnancy.
• Have your child use birth control while taking this drug and for some time after the last dose. Ask the doctor how long your child must use birth control. If your child becomes pregnant, call the doctor right away.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes; confusion; muscle pain, cramps, or spasms; weakness; shakiness; change in balance; an abnormal heartbeat; seizures; loss of appetite; or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Seizures.
• Feeling confused.
• Feeling less alert.
• Loss of eyesight.
• Severe constipation or stomach pain. These may be signs of a severe bowel problem.
• Change in eyesight.
• Sweating a lot.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Anxiety.
• Pelvic pain.
• Rectal pain.
• Redness or irritation of the palms of hands or soles of feet.
• Call the doctor right away if your child has signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly kidney problems have happened with this drug. Call the doctor right away if your child is unable to pass urine, has blood in the urine, or has a change in the amount of urine passed.
• A very bad skin problem (necrotizing fasciitis) has happened in people taking this drug. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call the doctor right away if your child’s skin is warm with red or purple areas of swelling that spread quickly. Call the doctor right away if your child has ulcers, blisters, black spots on the skin, or any other skin changes that concern you.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
• Back, muscle, joint, or neck pain.
• Stomach pain.
• Dry skin.
• Change in nails.
• Change in taste.
• Weight loss.
• Change in voice.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Trouble sleeping.
• More tears.
• Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
• Diarrhea, throwing up, upset stomach, and decreased appetite are common with this drug. If these happen, talk with your child’s doctor about ways to lower these side effects. Call your child’s doctor right away if any of these effects bother your child, do not get better, or are severe.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-12-21

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