Bavencio (avelumab) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of cancer in adults and some children. Bavencio comes as an intravenous (IV) infusion that’s given by a healthcare professional.
Bavencio is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain people with:
- renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer)
- urothelial carcinoma (cancer affecting the bladder or urinary tract)
- Merkel cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer)
Bavencio is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called programmed death ligand-1 blocking antibodies. Bavencio is not available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Bavencio, including its strength and how you’ll receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at Bavencio, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Bavencio provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Bavencio dosage that’s right for you.
The information below describes Bavencio’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.
Bavencio form
Bavencio comes as a solution that’s given as an IV infusion. It’s always given by a healthcare professional.
Bavencio strength
Bavencio comes in one strength of 200 milligrams per 10 milliliters (mg/mL).
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed in adults. However, your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Before you receive your dose of Bavencio, your doctor may recommend taking premedications. Premedications are used to prevent side effects that you can experience from Bavencio. Examples of premedications may include acetaminophen (Tylenol) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl). You’ll likely take premedications before your first four doses of Bavencio. Then, your doctor can determine if you should continue receiving premedications before your next doses.
Dosage for Merkel cell carcinoma
Doctors may prescribe Bavencio to treat Merkel cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer).
If your doctor prescribes Bavencio for your Merkel cell carcinoma, your dose will be 800 mg. Typically, you’ll receive this dose once every 2 weeks.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for urothelial carcinoma
Bavencio is approved to help treat urothelial carcinoma (cancer affecting the bladder or urinary tract). The recommended dose of Bavencio is 800 mg. You’ll usually receive this once every 2 weeks.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Dosage for renal cell carcinoma
Bavencio is also approved to help treat renal cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer). In this case, the recommended dose of Bavencio is 800 mg. You’ll usually receive this once every 2 weeks.
If you’re taking Bavencio for renal cell carcinoma, you’ll take it along with another medication called Inlyta (axitinib). Inlyta is a tablet, and you’ll usually take it twice daily by mouth.
If you have questions about your dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Bavencio is approved to treat Merkel cell carcinoma in children ages 12 years and older. The dosage in children with this condition is the same as the adult dosage. Children will also receive a dose of 800 mg of Bavencio every 2 weeks.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Bavencio is meant to be a long-term treatment. You’ll likely continue taking this medication unless you have severe side effects from it or your cancer gets worse. If you and your doctor determine that Bavencio is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.
Before you start taking Bavencio, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you the IV infusion of Bavencio. They’ll prepare the liquid solution for infusion by diluting it. You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, infusion center, or a hospital to receive your infusion. The infusion takes about 60 minutes.
If you have questions about how to use Bavencio, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There are also some helpful tips on the manufacturer’s website.
If you miss your appointment for a Bavencio infusion, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Bavencio.
How long does it take for Bavencio to start working?
Bavencio starts to work after you receive your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. It may take weeks before you notice any changes in your symptoms. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Bavencio treatment.
Is there a typical dosage range for Bavencio?
No, there is not a typical dosage range for Bavencio. This medication is administered at a dose of 800 mg once every 2 weeks. If this dose isn’t working to manage your cancer or if you’re experiencing side effects from the drug, your doctor may recommend holding treatment or trying a different medication to manage your condition. No dose adjustments are recommended for this medication.
For more information about Bavencio dosages, see the “Bavencio dosage” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Bavencio for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. If you have questions about the dosage of Bavencio that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Bavencio. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Bavencio: For information about other aspects of Bavencio, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about the side effects of Bavencio, see the Bavencio prescribing information.
- Details about your condition: For details about cancer, see our cancer hub.
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.