Bevacizumab
Generic Details
Generic Name
Bevacizumab
Other Names
- Avastin
Drug Class
- Monoclonal Antibody
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitor
Chemical Formula
C6548H10052N1720O2026S44
Molecular Weight
149 kDa
Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits angiogenesis by targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Indications
- Colorectal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Glioblastoma multiforme
- Cervical cancer
Common Dosage Forms
- Solution for intravenous infusion
Typical Dosage
- 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks for most indications
Pediatric Dosage
- Dosage based on body weight and indication
Geriatric Dosage
- Dose adjustments may be needed based on age and overall health
Side Effects
- Hypertension
- Gastrointestinal perforation
- Wound healing complications
- Thromboembolism
- Proteinuria
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to bevacizumab
- Uncontrolled hypertension
Pregnancy Category
- Category C - Risk cannot be ruled out
Lactation Safety
- Not recommended during breastfeeding
Drug Interactions
- Avoid use with other anti-angiogenic agents
- Increased risk of bleeding with anticoagulants
Overdose Symptoms
- Hypertension
- Headache
- Tachycardia
Antidote for Overdose
- Manage symptoms and provide supportive care
Storage Conditions
- Store refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F)
- Do not freeze
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption: Not applicable as it is administered intravenously
- Distribution: Distributed mainly in the blood and to tumor tissues
- Metabolism: Metabolized by proteolysis
- Excretion: Primarily excreted in the urine
Precautions
- Monitor for signs of hypertension
- Monitor for proteinuria
- Regularly assess for gastrointestinal perforations
Warnings
- Increased risk of bleeding and gastrointestinal perforations
- Risk of congestive heart failure
Others
- Bevacizumab is a targeted therapy that is used in combination with other chemotherapy agents for various types of cancer.