Bevacizumab
- What is it for
Bevacizumab is an intravenous targeted medication used alone or in combination with other agents for the treatment of certain types of cancer.
Bevacizumab
- Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications
What side effects can
Bevacizumab
cause?
During Infusion
- Allergic reactions uncommonly develop during the first infusion. Symptoms may include chills, rigors, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, flushing or itch.
Alert your nurse if you experience any of the above during the infusion.
Early side effects
- Diarrhea or constipation may occur.
Delayed side effects
- Increased blood pressure that may cause headache or vision problems.
- Protein loss in urine.
- If you are receiving this together with chemotherapy, the chances of having low blood counts may increase slightly.
Please seek medical attention if any of the following occurs:
- Unusual bleeding problems such as nosebleed, coughing blood, blood in vomit or stools.
- Signs of blood clot e.g. painful leg swelling, sudden breathlessness, chest pain or stroke symptoms.
- Wounds that do not heal or are slow to heal.
- Sudden severe abdominal pain accompanied with fever, constipation, nausea or vomiting.
Before taking
Bevacizumab
, what precautions must I follow?
- Notify your doctor at least 4 weeks before going for any surgical procedures e.g. biopsy, tooth extraction etc. as treatment may need to be temporarily withheld.