Avastin Treatment

Avastin Side Effects

What are some of the possible common side effects of chemotherapy?

Because targeted therapies like Avastin work in a different way than chemotherapy, there are different side effects. Common side effects associated with chemotherapy include:

  • Bleeding or bruising easily
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Increased chance of infection
  • Loss of appetite
  • Loss of hair
  • Mouth sores
  • Nausea
  • Rash on the hands and feet
  • Tingling or numbness in fingers or toes
  • Vomiting

Avastin is used with chemotherapy, so some of the above side effects may occur during treatment. Also, there are some common side effects more directly associated with Avastin. Your cancer care team will talk with you about what to expect and how you can work with them to manage side effects.

What are the most common side effects of Avastin therapy?

In clinical trials for MCRC, the following side effects occurred more often in people receiving Avastin plus chemotherapy than in people receiving chemotherapy alone:

  • Nosebleeds

    • Nosebleeds were usually minor and stopped on their own by holding a tissue to the nose. Call your doctor if you feel dizzy or faint or if the bleeding doesn't stop after 10 to 15 minutes

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

    • Standard oral medications were used to manage high blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you've had high blood pressure in the past

  • Proteinuria

    • Too much protein in the urine, a possible sign of kidney malfunction

  • Additional side effects included weakness, pain, diarrhea, and leukopenia (a reduced white blood cell count). Please talk to your doctor about any potential side effects with Avastin

What are the possible serious side effects observed with Avastin in MCRC treatment?

Possible serious side effects you should know about

  • In clinical trials for MCRC, a small percentage of people treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy experienced serious side effects, including gastrointestinal (GI) perforation and slow or incomplete wound healing

  • In rare cases, serious side effects have been fatal

  • People who took Avastin with chemotherapy had a higher risk of stroke or heart problems (blood clots) compared with people taking chemotherapy alone. Talk to your doctor about these potential problems, especially if you are over 65 years old

  • Additional serious side effects seen in patients who took Avastin with chemotherapy include severe hypertension, kidney malfunction, and nervous system and vision disturbances

  • Neutropenia

    • A reduced white blood cell count that may increase the chance of developing an infection

  • If you experience serious side effects, your doctor may temporarily suspend or permanently discontinue your treatment with Avastin

Because everyone is different, it is not possible to predict what side effects one person will have. If you have any questions or concerns about side effects, talk with your doctor and other members of your cancer care team.

What serious side effects have been seen with Avastin in the treatment of other cancers?

Avastin (in combination with chemotherapy) is also approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and has been studied in other types of cancer. Because these cancers—and the chemotherapy agents used to treat them—are different, the side effects that patients have may also differ. However, it is important to be aware of some of the more serious events seen with Avastin in these other cancer types.

  • Some people receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy for lung cancer experienced severe bleeding. People who experience severe bleeding should stop taking Avastin permanently

  • A small number of people receiving Avastin plus chemotherapy in clinical trials experienced congestive heart failure. This risk was highest in people who had taken anthracyclines (a type of chemotherapy commonly used to treat breast cancer and some types of leukemia*) in the past and/or in combination with Avastin

  • If you experience serious side effects, your doctor may temporarily suspend or permanently discontinue your treatment with Avastin

  • *Avastin is not approved for the treatment of breast cancer or leukemia.

Is there anyone who should not take Avastin?

  • Avastin should not be taken by people who are allergic (hypersensitive) to it or any of its ingredients. The cancer care team will monitor for signs of an allergic reaction

  • No studies have been done with Avastin in pregnant women, but studies with animals suggest that it may have a harmful effect on pregnancy. Anyone who is pregnant should decide, along with the doctor, if the benefits of therapy with Avastin outweigh the potential risks

  • Nursing mothers should not breast-feed while taking Avastin, or for a period of time after treatment is finished

  • Patients should not receive Avastin prior to having elective surgery

  • Avastin should not be taken for at least 28 days following surgery

  • The safety and effectiveness of Avastin in children have not been evaluated

  • There are other circumstances (such as specific medical conditions) that could exclude a person from being a candidate for Avastin treatment. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor