Off-label infusion of biosimilar bevacizumab: A provincial experience

J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2020 Oct;26(7):1683-1685. doi: 10.1177/1078155220945374. Epub 2020 Jul 29.

Abstract

The product monograph for reference bevacizumab (Avastin) and biosimilar bevacizumab (Mvasi) recommend to infuse the first dose of bevacizumab over 90 min, second dose over 60 min and third and subsequent doses over 30 min. Despite the product monograph recommendations, many institutions adopted an accelerated bevacizumab (Avastin) 0.5 mg/kg/min infusion time. Our province adopted the accelerated infusion time at time of biosimilar bevacizumab (Mvasi) adoption. Our experience with the accelerated infusion time was well tolerated in the first five months of biosimilar bevacizumab adoption across different tumor types.

Keywords: Biosimilar bevacizumab; Mvasi; infusion; pharmacovigilance.

MeSH terms

  • Bevacizumab / administration & dosage*
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Off-Label Use*

Substances

  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals
  • Bevacizumab