Avastin (bevacizumab): What to Expect, Side Effects, and More

If you were diagnosed with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer and didn't receive chemotherapy, your doctor may have prescribed Avastin (chemical name: bevacizumab) in combination with Taxol (chemical name: paclitaxel). 

Avastin is a type of medicine called a blood vessel growth inhibitor, which prevents cancer cells from forming new blood vessels that are needed for their growth. The medicine is delivered directly into the bloodstream via an IV.

See Avastin prescribing information.

Breast and other cancers need a good supply of blood to deliver the oxygen and nutrients that cancer cells need to grow, function, and multiply. 

To ensure a steady blood supply, cancer cells release a protein that tells new blood vessels to grow into the tumor. This protein is called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Avastin blocks VEGF,  shutting down the growth of new blood vessels into breast cancer tissue and starving the cancer. 

Avastin can also change blood vessels already feeding the cancer in ways that make it harder for the cancer to survive and more vulnerable to chemotherapy.

Avastin is given intravenously, which means the medicine is delivered directly into your bloodstream through an IV or a port. 

The first dose of Avastin takes about 90 minutes, and your treatment team will monitor you to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction. After that, it only takes about 30 minutes to an hour to get the other doses of Avastin. Avastin is usually given every two weeks.

Like almost all breast cancer medicines, Avastin can cause side effects, some of them severe.

The most common side effects of Avastin are:

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  nosebleeds

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  high blood pressure

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  extra protein in the urine

If needed, a doctor may prescribe a medicine to treat high blood pressure. Other possible common side effects include:

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  weakness

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  pain in the bones, joints, and muscles

More serious side effects have been experienced in a small percentage of people taking Avastin, including blood clots in a vein, slow wound healing, perforation of the intestines, higher risk of stroke or heart problems, kidney malfunction, and reduced white blood cell count. If you experience any of these serious side effects, your doctor will stop treatment with Avastin.

Avastin should not be given if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Since Avastin is given with chemotherapy, you may also experience chemotherapy side effects.

Members of our community discuss their experiences with Avastin in the community forum. Here are some of their comments. Remember, it's very important to talk to your doctor about any side effects you're having and ask about ways to manage them.

“[Since] I stopped Taxol, my hair is growing like crazy, Avastin is not affecting it at all.  My mouth is a little sensitive, I just started noticing it this week.” —sftfemme65

“Taxol and Avastin have not been horrible; I just really have 2–3 days a week that are exhausting. I feel very blessed with the minimal side effects.” —moe0279

“I was on Abraxane/Avastin for 8 months and only had neuropathy briefly.” —Sheryl_Lynn

Read more in our Avastin discussion forum.

The cost of Avastin may vary. The price you’ll pay depends on the drug manufacturer, your health insurance provider and plan, where you live, and the pharmacy you use. You may also be charged for the office visits required for Avastin infusions.

Note: Your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization before covering Avastin. 

Learn more about financial assistance and medicine cost-lowering tips.