Bavencio (Avelumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Bavencio Used For?
Bavencio contains avelumab, a monoclonal antibody designed to help your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells by targeting specific proteins on them.
Primary Uses
Bavencio treats metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (a rare skin cancer that has spread), advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (bladder or urinary tract cancer) that hasn’t progressed with platinum-based chemotherapy, and advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) when used with axitinib.
How It Works
As a monoclonal antibody, Bavencio is a protein designed to recognize and attach to a specific target in the body, helping your immune system attack and destroy cancer cells.
How to Take Bavencio
Bavencio is given as an intravenous infusion by a doctor experienced in cancer treatment. You’ll receive premedications before your first four treatments to help prevent reactions.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose is either 10 mg per kg of your body weight or 800 mg of Bavencio, depending on your cancer type. It’s given as a 60-minute infusion into a vein once every 2 weeks. Your doctor will calculate the exact dose and dilution for you. Before your first four infusions, you’ll receive paracetamol and an antihistamine to minimize potential reactions.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss an appointment, contact your doctor or nurse immediately to arrange another visit as soon as possible. Keep all appointments so your progress can be monitored.
Important: Bavencio is given under medical supervision, so overdose is very unlikely. However, if you think you’ve received too much, contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
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:
- Feeling tired or weak
- Muscle, back, stomach, or joint pain
- Loose stools, vomiting, nausea, constipation
- Swelling in arms, feet, or legs
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
- Cough
- Rash, itching, skin redness
- Fever, chills
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness, headache
- High or low blood pressure
- Flushing
- Difficulty speaking or breathing, hoarseness
- Urinary tract infection symptoms
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Infusion-related reactions
- Lung inflammation (pneumonitis)
- Liver problems (hepatitis or liver toxicity)
- Intestinal problems (colitis) or severe diarrhea
- Stomach problems (gastritis)
- Hormone gland problems (thyroid, pituitary, adrenal)
- Pancreas problems (pancreatitis)
- Type 1 diabetes, including diabetic ketoacidosis
- Kidney problems
- Muscle problems (myositis, myasthenia gravis)
- Bile duct problems (sclerosing cholangitis)
- Joint problems (arthritis)
- Dry eye/mouth problems (Sjögren’s syndrome)
- Heart problems (myocarditis)
- Eye problems (uveitis)
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- Low neutrophil count
- Sarcoidosis (inflammation of lungs, skin, eyes, lymph nodes)
Important Warnings
Bavencio can cause serious immune-related side effects that may be life-threatening. It’s important to understand these risks and monitor for symptoms.
Who Should Not Take Bavencio
Don’t use Bavencio if you’re allergic to avelumab or any ingredients listed in the medication guide. Always check the ingredients to ensure you can safely use this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have autoimmune diseases (like Crohn’s disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, ulcerative colitis, or lupus), HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B or C, or have had an organ transplant. Also mention if you take medicines that suppress your immune system, as these may increase your risk of side effects.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Bavencio must not be used during pregnancy as it may harm your unborn baby. Use adequate contraception during treatment and for at least one month after your last dose. Don’t breastfeed during treatment and for at least one month after your last dose, as it’s unknown if Bavencio passes into breast milk.
Autoimmune Disease Risk: If you already have an autoimmune disease, your risk of immune-mediated side effects may be higher, and you may experience more frequent flares of your condition.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Bavencio and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Medicines that affect your immune system, such as steroids
- Medicines that suppress your immune system
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or using machinery, as treatment-related symptoms can affect your concentration and ability to react.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned, but discuss alcohol use with your doctor as it may affect your overall health during cancer treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Treatment-related symptoms can affect your concentration and ability to react. Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Bavencio affects you.
Storage
Bavencio is stored and handled by healthcare professionals. It comes as a clear, colorless to slightly yellow solution in 10 mL glass vials and must be diluted before use.
Overdose Information
Since Bavencio is given under medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. However, if you think you’ve received too much, seek immediate medical attention by calling the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contacting your doctor, or going to the nearest emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor will decide how long you’ll receive Bavencio based on your response to the medicine and the type of cancer you have. Treatment continues as long as it’s helping and you’re tolerating it well.
Before your first four infusions, you’ll receive paracetamol and an antihistamine to help prevent reactions. The infusion takes 60 minutes, and you’ll be monitored closely for any side effects.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Some medicines, especially those affecting your immune system like steroids, may interfere with Bavencio.
Watch for signs of inflammation in various organs including lungs (breathing difficulties), liver (yellowing of skin/eyes), intestines (severe diarrhea), heart (chest pain, trouble breathing), and hormone glands (extreme tiredness, mood changes). Contact your doctor immediately if these occur.
No, Bavencio must not be used during pregnancy as it may harm your unborn baby. Use adequate contraception during treatment and for at least one month after your last dose.
No, you should not breastfeed during treatment and for at least one month after your last dose, as it’s unknown if Bavencio passes into breast milk.
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any serious side effects. Your doctor may give you other medicines to manage symptoms, delay your next dose, or stop treatment altogether depending on the severity.
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.