Avastin
Injection
100mg/4mL
Bevacizumab
Quick fact
Avastin 100mg Injection contains bevacizumab, a targeted medicine that blocks VEGF and is used for several cancers under specialist medical supervision.
Uses
What is Avastin 100mg Injection Tablet & Important Details
Avastin 100mg Injection contains bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody that reduces the formation of new blood vessels that tumors can use to grow. It is given by intravenous infusion and its use depends on the specific cancer and treatment plan.
- Used with chemotherapy for certain types of colorectal cancer.
- Used in selected patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
- Used with other treatment for certain forms of metastatic kidney cancer.
- Used for some brain tumors, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer.
- The 100mg strength refers to the amount of bevacizumab in the vial and does not mean that every patient receives 100mg as their treatment dose.
- The medicine is administered by a trained healthcare professional rather than being self-injected.
How does Avastin 100mg Injection work (mechanism of action)?
Bevacizumab works by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein involved in the development of new blood vessels. Blocking this pathway can reduce the blood supply available to certain tumors.
- Bevacizumab binds to VEGF in the bloodstream.
- This reduces VEGF activity on blood-vessel cells.
- Formation of new blood vessels supplying a tumor can be reduced.
- Reduced blood-vessel growth may limit the tumor’s ability to obtain nutrients and oxygen.
- It is usually combined with other cancer treatments according to the specific disease and treatment protocol.
Specialized or Off-Label Uses of Avastin 100mg Injection
Bevacizumab may also be used in some settings that are not included in every product indication. Such use should be determined by a specialist after considering the available evidence and individual circumstances.
- Some eye specialists use bevacizumab intravitreally for retinal diseases, although this is different from the approved intravenous Avastin cancer indications.
- Specialists may consider it for selected tumors or treatment situations based on clinical evidence and local practice.
- Off-label use requires careful assessment of benefits, risks, formulation, and administration method.
- Off-label treatment should not be confused with the approved indications for intravenous Avastin.
Conditions That Avastin 100mg Injection Will Not Treat
Avastin is not a general treatment for cancer or for conditions caused by infections and ordinary inflammation. Its usefulness depends on the tumor type and clinical situation.
- Common bacterial infections.
- Common viral infections such as seasonal colds.
- Routine pain or fever.
- Non-cancerous conditions unless specifically considered by a specialist.
- Cancers for which bevacizumab has no established or appropriate role.
- Conditions where anti-VEGF treatment would create unacceptable medical risks.
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking Avastin 100mg Injection Tablet
The potential benefit of bevacizumab depends strongly on the cancer being treated and the other medicines used with it. It is generally used as part of a specialist-directed treatment plan.
- Targets the VEGF pathway involved in blood-vessel formation.
- Can help slow tumor growth in cancers where VEGF inhibition is useful.
- Can be combined with chemotherapy or other anticancer treatment.
- May improve disease control in selected treatment settings.
- Has established uses across several specific cancers.
- Its dosing can be adjusted according to the cancer and treatment protocol.
Avastin is not expected to work in every cancer or every patient. The treating specialist determines whether its potential benefit justifies its risks.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Avastin 100mg Injection?
Side effects vary according to the cancer, other medicines being used, and the patient’s health. Common problems can include:
- High blood pressure.
- Weakness or tiredness.
- Headache.
- Diarrhea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Mouth sores.
- Protein in the urine.
Some effects may be caused by chemotherapy given with Avastin rather than by bevacizumab alone. Regular monitoring helps identify problems early.
What are the serious side effects of Avastin 100mg Injection?
Avastin can cause serious complications that require prompt medical assessment.
- Severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- Serious bleeding or coughing up blood.
- Blood clots or symptoms of stroke or heart problems.
- Severe abdominal pain that may indicate gastrointestinal perforation.
- Problems with wound healing.
- Kidney problems, including significant protein loss in urine.
- Severe infusion-related reactions.
- Abnormal connections between organs, known as fistulas.
- Severe neurological symptoms associated with rare brain complications.
Seek urgent medical care for severe bleeding, chest pain, breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, severe abdominal pain, seizures, confusion, or other serious new symptoms.
Severe Allergic Reactions of Avastin 100mg Injection?
A serious allergic or infusion-related reaction can occur during or shortly after an infusion.
- Sudden difficulty breathing.
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe dizziness or fainting.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Chest tightness.
- Widespread rash or hives.
- Severe chills or shaking.
- Sudden low blood pressure.
These symptoms require immediate medical attention. The healthcare team may slow, interrupt, or stop the infusion and provide appropriate treatment.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
After receiving Avastin, you may notice symptoms such as:
- Tiredness or weakness.
- Headache.
- High blood pressure.
- Diarrhea.
- Reduced appetite.
- Mouth irritation or sores.
- Changes in urine tests, including protein in urine.
Tell your healthcare team about persistent or worsening symptoms, even if they seem mild.
Avastin 100mg Injection Dosage Guidelines
Overview
There is no single dose of Avastin 100mg Injection that applies to every patient. Bevacizumab dosing is generally calculated according to the cancer being treated, body weight, treatment schedule, and medicines used alongside it.
It is administered as an intravenous infusion by healthcare professionals. The 100mg vial is a presentation strength, not a universal patient dose.
Adults
Common oncology regimens are weight-based and may range from approximately 5–15mg/kg at intervals such as every 2 or 3 weeks, depending on the indication.
Children
Use in children is not routine for the approved cancer indications. A pediatric specialist must determine whether treatment is appropriate.
Older adults
No automatic age-based dose reduction is required, but overall health, kidney function, blood pressure, bleeding risk, and other medicines are considered.
- The cancer type and treatment protocol affect the dose.
- Body weight is used for many bevacizumab dosing regimens.
- Blood pressure and urine protein may need monitoring during treatment.
- Previous surgery and planned surgery can affect when treatment is given.
- Other chemotherapy or biological medicines may change the treatment schedule.
Children should receive bevacizumab only when specifically prescribed and supervised by an appropriate specialist.
Dosage Adjustments for Kidney, Liver, or Other Health Problems
Avastin does not have one standard dose adjustment for every kidney or liver condition. The treating specialist decides whether treatment should be delayed, withheld, or continued based on clinical findings.
- Normal kidney function: Standard indication-specific dosing may be used with routine monitoring.
- Reduced kidney function: Kidney function and urine protein should be assessed carefully.
- Severe kidney impairment: Treatment requires specialist assessment, particularly when significant proteinuria is present.
- Dialysis: There is no routine dialysis-based dosing schedule; specialist guidance is required.
- Liver disease: The underlying liver condition and cancer treatment plan should be reviewed before treatment.
- Other conditions: Uncontrolled hypertension, recent surgery, bleeding, blood clots, or wound-healing problems can affect treatment decisions.
Never change the dose or treatment interval yourself. Avastin dosing must be determined by the prescribing specialist.
How Often and How Long to Take Avastin 100mg Injection?
Avastin is given on a repeated schedule that depends on the cancer and treatment regimen. It is not taken daily like an ordinary tablet.
- It is administered through an intravenous infusion.
- The first infusion may be given more slowly to monitor for reactions.
- Later infusions may be given over a shorter period if previous infusions were tolerated.
- Treatment continues only while the specialist considers it appropriate and safe.
- Therapy may be delayed or stopped because of surgery, serious side effects, or disease-related factors.
How should I take Avastin 100mg Injection?
Taking Avastin 100mg Injection With or Without Food
Food does not affect Avastin in the same way it affects an oral medicine because Avastin is administered directly into a vein. Follow the healthcare team’s instructions about eating, drinking, and other medicines around the infusion.
How to Take Specific Forms (Tablets, Chewables, Liquid Suspension)
Intravenous injection/infusion: Avastin is supplied as a solution concentrate for intravenous administration. It must be prepared and diluted appropriately by healthcare professionals and infused into a vein.
Tablets and capsules: These are not forms of Avastin 100mg Injection.
Chewable tablets: This is not an applicable formulation.
Liquid suspension: This is not an oral liquid formulation of Avastin.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Avastin 100mg Injection?
Avastin is administered by healthcare professionals, so an accidental overdose should be handled by the medical team immediately. Excessive exposure may increase the risk of adverse effects such as high blood pressure, bleeding, or other complications. Do not attempt to compensate for an incorrect dose yourself.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Avastin 100mg Injection?
If an infusion is missed, contact the treating cancer center or specialist. The healthcare team will decide when the next infusion should be given based on the treatment schedule and your current health. Do not arrange an extra dose to make up for a missed infusion.
Interactions
Does Avastin 100mg Injection interact with foods or drinks?
There is no specific food or drink interaction that routinely prevents intravenous Avastin from being administered. However, patients receiving cancer treatment should follow their oncology team’s advice about alcohol, nutrition, and other substances.
Does Avastin 100mg Injection interact with other medicines (drug interactions)
Avastin may be used with chemotherapy and other anticancer medicines, but the combination must be selected and monitored by the treating specialist.
- Chemotherapy medicines used for the specific cancer.
- Other biological or targeted anticancer medicines.
- Medicines affecting bleeding or clotting may require particular attention.
- Medicines used to control high blood pressure may be needed if treatment causes hypertension.
Always provide the oncology team with a complete list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.
Avastin 100mg Injection and Blood Thinners
- Tell your doctor if you take anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicines.
- Bleeding risk must be considered before and during treatment.
- Do not stop a prescribed blood thinner without medical advice.
- Report unusual or significant bleeding promptly.
Avastin 100mg Injection and Birth Control (if applicable)
Bevacizumab may harm an unborn baby. People who can become pregnant should discuss effective contraception with their healthcare professional during treatment and for the recommended period afterward.
Interactions with Supplements, Vitamins, and Herbal Products
Evidence about many supplements and herbal products used with bevacizumab is limited. Tell the oncology team about all supplements before treatment.
- Herbal products that may affect bleeding should be disclosed.
- High-dose vitamins or supplements should be discussed before use.
- Traditional or Ayurvedic products should also be reported.
- Supplements should not be assumed to be safe simply because they are natural.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Avastin 100mg Injection?
Avastin is not suitable for everyone. The specialist will consider important contraindications and treatment risks before starting therapy.
- People with a serious previous allergic reaction to bevacizumab or its components.
- Patients with certain serious bleeding or gastrointestinal complications.
- People with significant wound-healing problems or recent major surgery may require treatment interruption.
- Patients with uncontrolled severe hypertension require appropriate medical management before treatment.
What should I know about Avastin 100mg Injection before using it?
Before treatment, tell your doctor about previous surgery, high blood pressure, bleeding problems, blood clots, kidney problems, pregnancy, and all medicines you take.
- Blood pressure should be monitored during treatment.
- Urine may be checked for protein.
- Tell your doctor about recent or planned surgery.
- Report unusual bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or neurological symptoms immediately.
Precautions for Pre-existing Conditions (Heart, Kidney, Liver)
Kidney disease: Protein in urine and kidney complications can occur, so kidney and urine monitoring may be necessary.
Liver disease: Tell the treating specialist about liver disease so the complete treatment plan can be assessed.
Heart disease: Blood pressure and cardiovascular risk should be considered, particularly in people with existing cardiovascular disease.
Safe Usage & Best Practices
Why You Must Complete the Full Prescription
Avastin treatment follows a planned oncology schedule rather than a conventional short course. Attend scheduled appointments and follow the treatment plan unless your specialist changes it because of side effects or other medical reasons.
Consequences of Skipping Doses or Sharing Medication
Avastin should never be shared or used without specialist supervision.
- The dose depends on the patient’s cancer and body weight.
- Administration requires appropriate intravenous preparation and monitoring.
- Skipping scheduled treatment without medical advice can disrupt the planned cancer-treatment schedule.
Can Avastin 100mg Injection cause high blood pressure?
Yes. High blood pressure is a recognized side effect of bevacizumab and may sometimes become severe.
- Blood pressure should be checked regularly.
- Tell your healthcare team about persistent headaches or very high readings.
- Take prescribed blood-pressure medicine as directed.
- Seek urgent care for severe symptoms associated with very high blood pressure.
What should you do if you feel better before finishing the medication?
Do not decide on your own to stop Avastin because you feel better. Cancer treatment is planned according to the disease and treatment response.
- Keep scheduled oncology appointments.
- Discuss side effects before stopping treatment.
- Follow laboratory and monitoring instructions.
- Tell your doctor about any new symptoms.
- Only stop or change treatment when instructed by your specialist.
Avastin 100mg Injection and Alcohol
Lifestyle Restrictions: Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Avastin 100mg Injection?
There is no established direct alcohol interaction specific to bevacizumab, but alcohol may be unsuitable during cancer treatment depending on the person’s condition and other medicines.
- Ask the oncology team whether alcohol is appropriate for your treatment plan.
- Alcohol may worsen dehydration or other treatment-related symptoms in some patients.
- Other chemotherapy medicines may have their own alcohol-related precautions.
- Avoid alcohol if your healthcare team has advised you not to drink.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Specific Warnings for Pediatric and Geriatric Patients
Pregnancy: Bevacizumab can cause fetal harm and should not be used during pregnancy unless specifically justified by the treating specialist. People who can become pregnant should discuss effective contraception with their healthcare professional.
Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is generally not recommended during bevacizumab treatment and for the recommended period after treatment because of the potential risk to the infant.
- Pregnancy: Tell your doctor immediately if pregnancy occurs during treatment.
- Infants: Breastfeeding recommendations should be discussed with the treating specialist.
- Children: Pediatric use is specialized and should be determined by an appropriate specialist.
- Older adults: Overall health, cardiovascular risks, kidney function, and other medical conditions should be reviewed.
Storage Details
Avastin concentrate should be stored and handled according to the product’s approved storage instructions. It is a prescription medicine that should be prepared by trained healthcare professionals.
- Store refrigerated as directed by the product information.
- Protect the medicine from inappropriate storage conditions and do not freeze it.
- Keep the vial in its original packaging until needed.
- Prepared infusion solutions should be handled according to healthcare-facility procedures.
Common brand names – Avastin 100mg Injection available in India, USA, UK, Canada
- India: Avastin
- USA: Avastin
- UK: Avastin
- Canada: Avastin
Frequently asked questions
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1. What is Avastin 100mg Injection used for?
Ans: Avastin 100mg Injection contains bevacizumab and is used as part of specialist-directed treatment for certain cancers, including selected colorectal, lung, kidney, cervical, ovarian, and other cancers.
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2. Is Avastin 100mg Injection a chemotherapy medicine?
Ans: Avastin is a targeted biological medicine rather than a traditional chemotherapy drug. It is often given together with chemotherapy or other anticancer treatments.
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3. How is Avastin 100mg Injection given?
Ans: Avastin is given as an intravenous infusion by trained healthcare professionals. The dose and infusion schedule depend on the cancer being treated and the prescribed treatment regimen.
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4. Can Avastin 100mg Injection cause high blood pressure?
Ans: Yes. High blood pressure is a recognized side effect of bevacizumab. Blood pressure should be monitored during treatment, particularly if you already have hypertension.
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5. Can Avastin 100mg Injection be used during pregnancy?
Ans: Bevacizumab can harm an unborn baby. Pregnancy should be discussed with the treating specialist, and appropriate contraception is generally recommended for people who can become pregnant during treatment.
Storage Details
Temperature
15-25°C
Light Exposure
Keep in dark place
Humidity
Keep dry
