Avastin 400 Mg Injection

Q1: What is Avastin (Bevacizumab) used for?

Avastin is used to treat multiple cancers including metastatic colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, recurrent glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, and ovarian and cervical cancers — always in combination with chemotherapy regimens.

Q2: How does Avastin work against cancer?

Avastin is a monoclonal antibody that targets VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). By blocking VEGF, it inhibits the formation of new blood vessels into tumors (angiogenesis), starving cancer cells of oxygen and nutrients required for growth.

Q3: What types of cancer does Avastin specifically treat?

Avastin treats metastatic colorectal cancer (1st and 2nd line), non-small cell lung cancer (1st line), recurrent glioblastoma, metastatic renal cell carcinoma, epithelial ovarian/fallopian/peritoneal cancer, and persistent/recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer.

Q4: How is Avastin administered?

Avastin is given as an intravenous infusion — first dose over 90 minutes; if tolerated, subsequent infusions may be given over 60 minutes, then 30 minutes. Treatment is typically every 2–3 weeks in combination with chemotherapy.

Q5: How long is Avastin treatment?

Avastin treatment continues as long as there is clinical benefit and the patient tolerates the therapy. It is administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, as determined by your oncologist.

Q6: What are the most common side effects of Avastin?

Common side effects include hypertension (high blood pressure), fatigue, headache, diarrhea, nausea, and decreased appetite. Nosebleeds (epistaxis) are also frequently reported.

Q7: What serious side effects require emergency care?

Seek immediate emergency care for: sudden severe abdominal pain (may indicate GI perforation), stroke or heart attack symptoms, severe uncontrolled bleeding, shortness of breath, or signs of wound breakdown after surgery.

Q8: What drugs interact with Avastin?

Sunitinib combination may increase microangiopathic hemolytic anemia risk. Platinum-based chemotherapy and paclitaxel are standard combinations — additive toxicity monitoring required. Inform your oncologist of all concurrent treatments.

Q9: Is Avastin safe during pregnancy?

No. Avastin is contraindicated in pregnancy — it causes significant fetal harm including malformations and fetal death in animal studies. Effective contraception must be used during treatment and for at least 6 months after the final dose.

Q10: What monitoring is required during Avastin treatment?

Regular blood pressure monitoring, urinalysis for protein (proteinuria), wound assessment, CBC, and liver function tests are required throughout treatment. Cardiac function monitoring is needed for patients on concurrent cardiotoxic regimens.

Q11: How should Avastin be stored?

Store at 2°C–8°C in the refrigerator. Do not freeze or shake the vial. Protect from light. Keep in the original carton. Once diluted for infusion, use within 8 hours if stored at 2°C–8°C.

Q12: Is Avastin available without a prescription?

No. Avastin is a prescription-only biological cancer therapy administered exclusively in hospital or clinic settings by trained oncology staff. It requires specialist oncologist prescription.