Bevacizumab 400 mg injection (Bevixa)

What is Bevacizumab injection used for?

Bevacizumab 400 mg injection (Bevixa) is a biologic medication, known as an endothelial vascular growth factor receptor, used to treat different types of cancer. It is indicated to treat

• Recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer
• Metastatic renal cell carcinoma
• Cervical cancer, in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin
• Glioblastoma, as a single agent, for adult patients
• Non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer
• Metastatic colorectal cancer
• Metastatic breast cancer

It is in a targeted cancer therapy class.

How does Bevacizumab work?

Bevacizumab works by blocking a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which helps tumors form new blood vessels. By stopping VEGF, bevacizumab cuts off the blood supply that cancer cells need to grow and spread, slowing tumor growth and helping other cancer treatments work more effectively.

How is Bevacizumab administered? 

Patient should continue scheduled dosing of Bevixa 400 mg injection until unacceptable toxicity and disease progression

Bevacizumab dosage to treat metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with fluorouracil-based chemotherapy

• First-line or second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) with Bevixa in combination with fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy
• Bolus-IFL (ie, irinotecan, 5-FU, leucovorin): 5 mg/kg through injection or tube every 2 weeks.
• FOLFOX4 (ie, oxaliplatin, 5-FU, leucovorin): 10 mg/kg through injection or tube every 2 weeks.

To treat metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with a fluoropyrimidine plus irinotecan or oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy

• Second-line treatment of patients with mCRC who have progressed on a first-line bevacizumab-containing regimen
• Use in combination with a fluoropyrimidine (eg, 5-FU, capecitabine) plus irinotecan or oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy
• 5 mg/kg through injection or tube once every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg through injection once every 3 weeks.

For non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, 15mg/kg Bevixa through injection or tube once every 3 weeks.

To treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma in combination with interferon alfa-2a, 10mg/kg through injection or tube once every 2 weeks.

To treat persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer in combination with paclitaxel plus cisplatin or topotecan 15mg/kg into the vein once every 3 weeks.

 Platinum-resistant Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Peritoneal Cancer

• Indicated to treat platinum-resistant ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer in combination with chemotherapy regimens paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan. This combination is used in adults who have received not more than 2 chemotherapy regimens.
• 10 mg/kg Bevixa into the vein once every 2 weeks in combination with 1 of the following IV chemotherapy regimens: paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan weekly OR
• 15 mg/kg Bevixa into the vein once every 3 weeks in combination with topotecan q3Weeks

Platinum-sensitive Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Peritoneal Cancer

For women with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, either in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel or in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine chemotherapy, followed by bevacizumab alone

• Bevixa 15 mg/kg into the vein once every 3 weeks in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel for 6-8 cycles, OR
• Bevixa 15 mg/kg into the vein once every 3 weeks in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine for 6-10 cycles, followed by
• Bevixa 15 mg/kg into the vein once every 3 weeks as a single agent until disease progression

Bevixa is indicated to treat Glioblastoma recurrent with 10mg/kg once every 2 weeks.

What are the side effects of Bevacizumab 400 mg injection?

Adverse effects experienced by patients who have taken Bevixa 400 mg are epistaxis, headache, hypertension, rhinitis, proteinuria, taste alteration, dry skin, rectal hemorrhage, lacrimation disorder, back pain, and exfoliative dermatitis.

Should I take Bavecizumab in pregnancy and Lactation?

Based on animal studies, it was found that Bevixa can harm the fetus in the worm that’s why it is not recommended during pregnancy. Women should use proper contraception while taking this medication.

In case of lactation, it should not be administered during breastfeeding to children.

What are the drug interactions of Bevacizumab Injection?

Bevixa injection can interact with medicines that affect blood clotting or wound healing, such as blood thinners and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), increasing the risk of bleeding. Using it with chemotherapy drugs may raise the chance of side effects like high blood pressure or stomach problems. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements, or herbal products you take before starting bevacizumab.

How to store Bevacizumab 400 mg Injection?

Bevixa should be stored in a refrigerator at 2-8°C. Make sure it does not freeze. Keep it away from children.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does Bevacizumab cost?

The price of Bevacizumab injection depends on brand, availability, and manufacturer. The treatment cost depends on the duration, dosage, and factors related to the patient’s medical condition. The generic Bevacizumab (Bevixa) price is less than the branded one (Avastin). Your healthcare provider will choose which brand you should use.

What is the special diet during treatment with Bevixa?

Until your doctor suggests any special diet, follow your regular diet. Or you can ask your doctor about food interaction with Bevixa.

How long does Bevacizumab stay in your system?

It stays in your body for a long time because it is slowly removed from the bloodstream. Its half-life is about 20 days, meaning it can take several months for the drug to completely leave your system after the last dose.

What is the life expectancy of Bevacizumab?

Life expectancy after bevacizumab varies by cancer and stage. FDA trial data report a median overall survival of about 18.3 months in metastatic colorectal cancer, while for some indications, such as breast cancer, glioblastoma, were approved based on progression-free survival, not overall survival.