Avastin (Bevacizumab) for AMD

Overview
Avastin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating several types of cancer. It is sometimes prescribed off-label for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Avastin is also known by its drug name, bevacizumab.

Avastin belongs to a category of drugs called anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies. Scientists believe it works by inhibiting the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye, which can help to manage the symptoms of AMD.

How do I take it?
Avastin is administered through intravitreal injection (injection into the eye) for treating AMD. The specific dosing schedule varies based on a person's diagnosis and response to treatment.

Side effects
Common side effects of Avastin include eye redness, feeling like something is in your eye, dry or itchy eyes, eye discomfort, temporary blurry vision, and floaters (small spots that drift through your field of vision).

Rare but serious side effects of eye injections such as Avastin include heightened sensitivity to light, eye pain, swelling inside the eye, eye infection, detached retina, and cataracts.

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Label: Avastin —  Bevacizumab Injection, Solution — DailyMed

What Is Avastin? — American Academy of Ophthalmology