Avastin (bevacizumab) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat the following conditions in adults:

* Metastatic means the cancer has spread beyond the area where it started and can be found in other parts of your body.
† Recurrent means the cancer has come back after responding to a previous treatment.

For treating recurrent glioblastoma, Avastin may be used on its own. But for treating the other conditions listed above, Avastin is used in combination with other medications. Avastin is most commonly used in combination with chemotherapy. (Chemotherapy describes traditional drugs used to treat cancer. Avastin isn’t a chemotherapy drug.)

Avastin comes as a solution inside single-dose vials. It’s given by a healthcare professional as an IV infusion.

The active drug in Avastin is bevacizumab, which is a biologic. It’s classified as a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor. There are two biosimilars for Avastin: Mvasi (bevacizumab-awwb) and Zirabev (bevacizumab-bvzr).

For information about the dosage of Avastin, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Avastin, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Avastin provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But your doctor will prescribe the Avastin dosage that’s right for you.

Below is information about Avastin dosages for the conditions it’s approved to treat, including the drug’s forms and strengths.

Avastin form

Avastin comes in one form: a liquid solution inside single-dose vials. This is the form used for both approved and off-label uses, including intravitreal (inside the eye) injections. For more information on this off-label use of Avastin, see the “Frequently asked questions” section below.

Avastin strengths

Avastin comes in two strengths: 100 milligrams (mg) per 4 milliliters (mL) of solution, and 400 mg/16 mL.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Regardless of the condition Avastin is used to treat, your dosage will be calculated based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). One kilogram is equal to about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Dosage for ovarian cancer

Avastin is approved to treat certain forms of ovarian cancer (including cancers that affect your fallopian tubes or peritoneum, which is the lining inside your abdomen) following surgery. The recommended dosage of Avastin for this condition is 15 mg per kg of body weight (mg/kg). For example, if you weigh 90 kg (about 198 lb), your recommended Avastin dose would be 1,350 mg.

At the start of treatment with Avastin, you’ll likely receive this dose once every 3 weeks (one cycle) together with the chemotherapy medications carboplatin and Abraxane (paclitaxel). You’ll repeat this dosage for up to a total of six cycles.

Then you’ll likely switch to receiving Avastin on its own every 3 weeks (one cycle), for up to a total of 22 cycles.

When used to treat recurrent* ovarian cancer that is resistant** to chemotherapy drugs made from platinum, your Avastin dose will be one of the following:

  • 10 mg/kg once every 2 weeks. At this dose, you’ll receive Avastin together with one of the following chemotherapy drugs: paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan. You’ll have a dose of the chemotherapy drug every week.
  • 15 mg/kg once every 3 weeks. At this dose, you’ll receive Avastin together with the chemotherapy drug topotecan, which will also be given every 3 weeks.

When used to treat recurrent* ovarian cancer that is sensitive to chemotherapy made from platinum, your dose will likely be one of the following:

  • 15 mg/kg once every 3 weeks (one cycle), taken together with the chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel, for a total of six to eight cycles. Then you’ll receive Avastin on its own once every 3 weeks.
  • 15 mg/kg once every 3 weeks (one cycle), taken together with the chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and gemcitabine, for a total of six to eight cycles. Then you’ll receive Avastin on its own once every 3 weeks.

* With recurrent cancer, the cancer responded to past treatment, but it has come back after a period of time.
** With resistance, the cancer no longer responds to certain treatments.

Dosage for colon cancer

Avastin is approved to treat metastatic* colon cancer (also called colorectal cancer or bowel cancer). Your dosage will depend on which chemotherapy drugs are used in combination with Avastin. These recommended dosage options include:

  • Avastin used together with IFL.† For this dosing regimen, the recommended Avastin dosage is 5 mg/kg once every 2 weeks.
  • Avastin used together with FOLFOX4.‡ For this dosing regimen, the recommended Avastin dosage is 10 mg/kg once every 2 weeks.

* Metastatic means the cancer has spread beyond the area where it started and can be found in other parts of your body.
† IFL is a chemotherapy regimen that’s made up of the medications irinotecan, leucovorin, and fluorouracil.
‡ FOLFOX4 is a chemotherapy regimen that’s made up of the medications oxaliplatin, folinic acid, and fluorouracil.

There are also two Avastin dosing regimens for people with colon cancer that has worsened while being treated with one of the regimens above. The recommended dosage for this use is either:

  • 5 mg/kg given once every 2 weeks, or
  • 7.5 mg/kg given once every 3 weeks

For either dosing regimen above, you’ll take Avastin in combination with a chemotherapy regimen containing a group of drugs called fluoropyrimidines, with either irinotecan or Eloxatin (oxaliplatin). An example of a fluoropyrimidine is fluorouracil.

Dosage for glioblastoma

When used to treat recurrent* glioblastoma, the recommended Avastin dosage is 10 mg/kg given once every 2 weeks.

For example, if you weigh 90 kg (about 198 lb), your recommended Avastin dose would be 900 mg once every 2 weeks.

* With recurrent cancer, the cancer responded to past treatment, but it has come back after a period of time.

Dosage for kidney cancer

For treating recurrent metastatic* kidney cancer, the recommended Avastin dosage is 10 mg/kg given once every 2 weeks. You’ll also take the drug interferon alfa in combination with Avastin for this use.

For example, if you weigh 80 kg (about 176 lb), your recommended Avastin dose would be 800 mg once every 2 weeks.

* Metastatic means the cancer has spread beyond the area where it started and can be found in other parts of your body.

Dosage for lung cancer

For treating certain forms of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the recommended Avastin dosage is 15 mg/kg once every 3 weeks. For this use, you’ll also receive the chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and Abraxane (paclitaxel) together with Avastin.

For example, if you weigh 90 kg (about 198 lb), your recommended Avastin dose would be 1,350 mg given once every 3 weeks.

Dosage for cervical cancer

When used to treat certain forms of cervical cancer, the recommended Avastin dosage is 15 mg/kg once every 3 weeks. Along with Avastin, you’ll also use one of the following combinations of chemotherapy medications:

  • paclitaxel plus cisplatin, or
  • paclitaxel plus topotecan

Dosage for liver cancer

When used to treat certain forms of liver cancer, the recommended Avastin dosage is 15 mg/kg given once every 3 weeks. For this use, you’ll receive your Avastin dosage after you have a one-time dose of the medication Tecentriq (atezolizumab) on the same day.

For example, if you weigh 80 kg (about 176 lb), your recommended Avastin dose would be 1,200 mg given once every 3 weeks.

Long-term use

Avastin is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Avastin is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have intolerable side effects or your cancer gets worse while taking Avastin, your doctor may decide to stop your Avastin treatment.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Avastin dosages.

Is Avastin used for macular edema or other eye problems? If so, what’s the dosage for these uses?

Avastin may be prescribed for eye problems, such as macular edema. However, the drug isn’t approved for these uses. Avastin may be prescribed off-label to treat these conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is prescribed to treat a different condition.

Some other eye problems Avastin may be prescribed off-label to treat include:

If you’re interested in learning more about off-label uses of Avastin, including dosages for these uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

I’m receiving Avastin by intravitreal injection. What might my dosage be?

Avastin isn’t approved by the FDA to be used as an intravitreal injection. (With intravitreal injection, the drug is injected into your eye.) However, Avastin may be given off-label as an intravitreal injection to treat certain eye problems. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is prescribed to treat a different condition.

If you’re interested in learning more about off-label uses of Avastin, including intravitreal dosages, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is there a dose calculator for Avastin?

There isn’t a dose calculator for Avastin. But the manufacturer does offer dosing information for healthcare professionals.

A healthcare professional may use a dose calculator to calculate your dose of a medication such as Avastin. If you have questions about your Avastin dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can provide more information on how your dose is determined.

The Avastin dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Avastin to treat
  • your body weight
  • other medications you take in combination with Avastin to treat your condition

Dosage adjustments

If you need to have surgery while being treated with Avastin, your doctor will likely have you stop taking Avastin at least 28 days before your procedure.

If you have questions about using Avastin around the time of surgery, talk with your doctor.

Avastin comes as a solution inside single-dose vials. It’s given by a healthcare professional as an IV infusion. (An IV infusion is an injection given into a vein over time.)

Your first Avastin infusion will last about 90 minutes. Then your second infusion will last around 60 minutes. If you don’t have any problems with your first two infusions, your following infusions will last around 30 minutes each.

It’s important that you do not use more Avastin than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Avastin

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Avastin. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Avastin for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

If you have questions about the dosage of Avastin that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Avastin. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Avastin. For information about other aspects of Avastin, refer to this article.
  • Side effects. To learn about side effects of Avastin, see this article. You can also look at the Avastin prescribing information.
  • Drug comparisons. Find out how Avastin compares with Temodar and Eylea.
  • Details about your condition. For details about cancer, see our cancer hub as well as this list of related articles.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.