What is the most important information I should know about bevacizumab?
Avoid having surgery while you are being treated with bevacizumab. You may have
problems with wound healing, which could result in bleeding or infection.
If you need to have any type of surgery, you will need to stop receiving bevacizumab for at least
4 weeks while your surgical incision heals.
Before being treated with bevacizumab, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney
disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, a history of stroke or blood clots, or an open wound.
Some people receiving a bevacizumab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when
the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated,
light-headed, sweaty, itchy, or have a fast heartbeat, chills, wheezing, or chest pain during the injection.
Call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as blood in your stools or vomit,
sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden headache or confusion,
problems with vision or speech, chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, shortness of breath,
swelling, rapid weight gain, or flu symptoms.
Bevacizumab can cause a rare but serious neurologic disorder affecting the brain.
Symptoms include headache, confusion, vision problems, feeling light-headed, fainting, and seizure
(blackout or convulsions). These rare symptoms may occur within hours of your first dose of
bevacizumab, or they may not appear for up to a year after your treatment started. Call your doctor at
once if you have any of these side effects.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be
tested on a regular basis. Your urine may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to
your doctor.
This medication can affect a woman's fertility (ability to have children). Talk to your doctor
about your specific risks.