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What Is Avastin® (bevacizumab)?

Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last reviewed: May 2023

There are two kinds of age-related macular degeneration (AMD): dry AMD, in which light-sensitive photoreceptors and supporting retinal pigment cells in the macula break down; and wet AMD, in which abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina that can leak or bleed, causing damage.1

This growth of abnormal blood vessels can also occur in myopic macular degeneration (MMD). Though AMD and MMD are not curable, there are treatments to help slow progression of the disease and preserve existing vision.2

What is anti-VEGF therapy?

One of these treatments involves eye injections with medications known as anti-VEGF drugs. Anti-VEGF drugs bind or trap VEGF, which is a protein that stimulates the growth of blood vessels. When VEGF is produced in the eyes, it not only promotes the growth of new blood vessels, but these vessels tend to be abnormally weak and prone to leakage, which can cause damage to the retina and loss of vision.3

How does Avastin work?

Avastin is given as an intravitreal injection in your doctor’s office. The drug binds and inhibits VEGF, preventing it from promoting abnormal blood vessel growth. This helps to preserve your existing vision and slow the progression of wet AMD or MMD.4

What are possible side effects of Avastin?

Any treatment or medication has the potential to cause side effects. Common side effects of Avastin can include:4

  • Eye pain or irritation
  • Eye redness
  • Floaters (temporary)
  • Mild blurred vision (for a day or two)

More serious complications may include:4

  • Retinal detachment
  • Infection
  • Vitreous hemorrhage (bleeding inside the eye)
  • Increased intraocular pressure
  • Blood clots or stroke

These are not all the possible side effects of Avastin. Talk to your doctor about what to expect when being treated with Avastin. You also should call your doctor if you have any changes that concern you when receiving Avastin.

Things to know about Avastin

Avastin is an anti-VEGF drug that is used off-label to treat wet AMD and MMD. This means that the drug is used in a way that is not specified in the drug’s packaging information, which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Simply put, Avastin is not approved by the FDA to treat AMD or MMD, although many studies have shown that it is safe and effective for treating AMD and MMD.5

This has been slightly controversial, because while Avastin has been shown to be as effective as Lucentis® for treating AMD and MMD, Lucentis costs approximately 50 times more than Avastin.6,7

Talk to your doctor

Your doctor might use Avastin off-label in order to be more cost efficient. Talk with your doctor about the reasons they might want to prescribe Avastin instead of a drug that is approved by the FDA, and the possible drawbacks of doing so (for example, will your insurance cover it, what are the risks and benefits, and so forth).

Before beginning treatment for macular degeneration, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and any other drugs, vitamins, or supplements you are taking. This includes over-the-counter drugs.

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