Mvasi (Bevacizumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Mvasi Used For?
Mvasi contains bevacizumab, a biosimilar medicine that has been assessed to be as safe and effective as the reference product Avastin. It is specifically designed to treat various types of cancer by targeting the blood supply that tumors need to grow.
Primary Uses
Mvasi is used to treat: brain tumors that are resistant to previous treatments; metastatic cancers of the large bowel (colon or rectum), breast, or cervix in combination with chemotherapy; lung cancer and cancer of the ovaries and fallopian tubes in combination with chemotherapy; and kidney cancer in combination with interferon therapy.
How It Works
All cancers need a blood supply to survive and grow. Mvasi targets a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which helps cancer cells grow blood vessels to get nutrients and oxygen from the blood. When Mvasi binds to VEGF, it disrupts the blood supply to the tumor, stopping or slowing down its growth.
Important: Mvasi is not approved for use in the eye and is only for treating specific types of cancer as prescribed by your doctor.
How to Take Mvasi
Mvasi is given as an intravenous infusion (slow injection or ‘drip’) into a vein by your healthcare provider. You cannot take this medication at home – it must be administered in a medical facility.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will prescribe your dose based on your body weight, general health, and the type of cancer being treated. Mvasi is given either once every 2 weeks or once every 3 weeks depending on your specific cancer type. The first infusion usually takes 90 minutes, but if well tolerated, later infusions may be shortened to 30-60 minutes.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Since Mvasi is given by healthcare professionals, missing a dose is unlikely. However, your doctor will decide when you should receive your next dose if there are any scheduling issues.
Important: The number of infusions you receive depends on how you respond to treatment. Your doctor will discuss this with you and monitor your progress regularly.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Weakness and fatigue
- Pain and headache
- Bleeding and nose bleeds
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea and loss of appetite
- Mouth sores and rectal bleeding
- Bruising more easily than normal
- Urinary tract infection
- Foamy urine
- Voice changes or hoarseness
- Blocked or runny nose
- Blurred vision
- Muscle and joint pain
- Dizziness
- High blood pressure
- Skin rash or dry skin
- Hand-foot syndrome (pain, redness, swelling of hands/feet)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Serious bleeding including lung bleeding or coughing blood
- Severe high blood pressure
- Holes in the stomach or intestine
- Stroke symptoms
- Severe heart failure or heart problems
- Nervous system or vision problems
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fistula (abnormal connection between body parts)
- Blood clots with symptoms like sudden severe headache, chest pain, numbness
- Severe allergic reactions with breathing difficulty and swelling
- Problems with wound healing after surgery
- Jaw bone damage (osteonecrosis)
- Seizures or confusion
- Severe stomach pain or bleeding
Important Warnings
Mvasi has several important warnings and precautions that you need to be aware of before starting treatment. Your doctor will assess your suitability for this medication based on your age and overall health.
Who Should Not Take Mvasi
You must not receive Mvasi if you: are allergic to bevacizumab or any ingredients in the medication; have had an allergic reaction to proteins from Chinese hamster origin or other recombinant human or humanized antibodies; or are a child or adolescent (safety and effectiveness have not been established in this age group).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: radiation therapy; inflammation of the bowel or stomach ulcers; high blood pressure; blood clots, stroke, or family history of bleeding problems; heart disease; diabetes; major surgery within the last 28 days or wounds that haven’t healed properly; blocked lung artery; received anthracyclines or chest radiotherapy; or dental/jaw problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use Mvasi if you are pregnant as it may cause damage to your unborn baby. Women of childbearing potential must use suitable contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Do not breastfeed while being treated with Mvasi and for at least 6 months after the last dose, as it may interfere with your baby’s growth and development.
Elderly Patients: Patients 65 years or older have increased risk of blood clots leading to strokes or heart attacks, and higher risk of side effects compared to younger patients.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Mvasi and affect how it works. It’s important to tell your healthcare team about all medications you’re taking.
Important: Do not take any other medicines without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist, as interactions can affect treatment effectiveness.
- Bisphosphonates (medicines for weak bones) such as ibandronate sodium, zoledronic acid, or disodium pamidronate
- Blood thinners like warfarin
- Any prescription medicines, vitamins, or supplements bought without prescription
Alcohol & Driving
While Mvasi has not been shown to impair your ability to drive or operate machinery, you should be cautious until you know how the medication affects you.
Alcohol
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol interactions with Mvasi. Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Mvasi affects you. Although Mvasi has not been shown to impair driving ability, side effects like dizziness, fatigue, or vision problems could affect your safety.
Storage
Mvasi will be stored by healthcare professionals in the pharmacy or hospital ward in a refrigerator at a temperature between 2-8°C. This medication is for single use only, and any remaining contents should be discarded after use. Mvasi must not be used after the expiry date.
Overdose Information
Since Mvasi is given under medical supervision, overdose is unlikely. However, if you experience severe side effects like a severe migraine after receiving the medicine, tell your doctor or nurse immediately. You may need urgent medical attention. If concerned about overdose, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
The number of infusions you receive depends on how you respond to treatment. Your doctor will discuss this with you and monitor your progress to determine the appropriate duration.
Mvasi is a biosimilar to Avastin that works by targeting VEGF protein to disrupt blood supply to tumors. It’s used in combination with other cancer treatments like chemotherapy or interferon therapy.
Tell your doctor immediately if you’re planning surgery or have a wound that’s not healing properly. Mvasi can increase the risk of post-operative bleeding and problems with wound healing.
Inform your doctor if you need invasive dental treatment or dental surgery, especially if you’re also taking bisphosphonates. You may be advised to have a dental check-up before starting Mvasi treatment.
Watch for signs of serious side effects like severe bleeding, breathing problems, severe headaches, stomach pain, or signs of blood clots. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Elderly patients (65 years or older) have increased risks including blood clots that can lead to strokes or heart attacks, and higher risk of side effects compared to younger patients. Your doctor will assess your ability to tolerate Mvasi based on your age and general health.
Immediately inform your doctor if you become pregnant while being treated with Mvasi, as it may cause damage to your unborn baby. Women of childbearing potential must use contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.