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Patient Information Sheet
Bevacizumab (marketed as
Avastin)
PDF Print Version 
This is a summary of
the most important information about Avastin. For details, talk to
your healthcare professional.
What is Avastin used
for?
Avastin is used in
combination with:
- intravenous 5-FU based combination chemotherapy regimens as the first-treatment or second-treatment for patients with metastatic colon cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum that has spread to other areas of the body).
- carboplatin and paclitaxel for first‑treatment of patients with unresectable (unable to remove by operation), locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer.
Avastin will not cure colorectal cancer or lung cancer. Overall, patients given
Avastin plus chemotherapy for treatment of either colon cancer or
lung cancer that has spread live longer than those who receive only chemotherapy.
Special Warning(s) with Avastin:
- Avastin may cause gastrointestinal perforation (holes in the stomach, intestines or
colon) requiring surgery to repair.
- Avastin may impair wound healing or cause wounds to open up. Avastin should not be
started for at least 28 days following major surgery and full
wound healing, and should be stopped before a scheduled surgery.
- Mild bleeding (such as nosebleeds) is common in patients who receive Avastin. Serious
bleeding from the lungs or digestive system, requiring blood
transfusions, occur in less than 5% of patients receiving Avastin.
When very severe, patients have died from blood loss.
- Avastin may cause a severe increase in blood pressure so patients receiving Avastin
should have their blood pressure checked regularly.
- Avastin may cause proteinuria (protein in the urine, a sign of kidney damage).
- Avastin may cause blood clots. The chances of blood clots are highest in patients who are elderly.
- Avastin may cause congestive heart failure (failure of the heart to pump blood well)
especially when given with chemotherapy that is known to damage the heart (such as doxorubicin).
General Precautions with Avastin:
- Avastin should be used with caution in patients who are allergic to Avastin or to any of
the ingredients in Avastin.
- Avastin may cause severe infusion reactions such as trouble breathing. This usually
happens during the first dose, so patients should receive treatment in a doctor’s office or clinic.
What should I tell my healthcare provider?
Tell your healthcare provider if you:
- have or had liver or kidney problems
- have high blood pressure
- have congestive heart failure or other heart problems
- are pregnant, are trying to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- have recently had surgery or are planning to have surgery
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription
and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Some medicines may affect how Avastin works or Avastin may affect how your other medicines work.
What are some possible side effects of Avastin?
(This list is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Avastin. Your healthcare
provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)
Serious side effects include of Avastin treatment include:
- gastrointestinal perforation
- impaired wound healing
- severe bleeding
- a dangerously high increase in blood pressure
- kidney damage
- blood clots
- congestive heart failure
More common side
effects of Avastin treatment include:
- tiredness and weakness
- stomach pain
- headache
- high blood pressure
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite
- mouth sores
- constipation
- lung infections
- nose bleeds
- shortness of breath
- decreased white blood
cells
- skin peeling
- protein in the urine
For more detailed information about Avastin (bevacizumab),
ask your healthcare provider.
Link
to Avastin's Approved Labeling
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to Top 
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Date created: July 21, 2004; Updated: February 1 , 2007
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