Menu Close Menu

Fewer cancers.
Better survival.
Equity for all.

Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library

CRC Metastatic - mFOLFOX6 [oxaliplatin, foliNIc acid and fluorouracil] [high dose foliNIc acid] and beVACizumab

Treatment Overview

This regimen has been updated (April 2026) to remove fluorouracil bolus following the recommendation of the New Zealand Society for Oncology (NZSO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Special Interest Group (GISIG).

Users please note that this is a new regimen with a new SNOMED CT code. The earlier regimen which includes fluorouracil bolus can be found here.


This regimen contains a medicine where one or more biosimilars may exist. Any biosimilars used have been reviewed by the regulator (Medsafe) and relevant specialists were consulted nationally. Where regulators, in consultation with relevant specialists, have agreed that there are no clinically significant differences in either safety or effectiveness between a biosimilar and originator product, these drugs may be used interchangeably.

Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 14 days

Cycle length:
14

Cycle details

Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 14 days

Medication Dose Route Days Max Duration
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration 1, 2, 3
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration 1
beVACizumab 5 mg/kg intravenous 1 30 minutes
oxaliplatin 85 mg/m² intravenous 1 120 minutes
foliNIc acid (as calcium folinate) 400 mg/m² intravenous 1 120 minutes
fluorouracil 2400 mg/m² intravenous 1 46 hours Min: 46 hours
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration 1
domperidone 10 mg Three times daily oral administration 1
loperamide 2 mg oral administration 1

Full details

Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 14 days

Day: 1

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:

ONE hour prior to chemotherapy with food.

ondansetron 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONE hour prior to chemotherapy.
beVACizumab 5 mg/kg intravenous 30 minutes
Instructions:
  • Blood pressure and urinalysis should be checked before each administration. If urine dipstick protein is less than or equal to 3+, proceed with infusion.
  • Initial dose may be administered over 30 minutes; if the previous dose is well tolerated, subsequent doses may also be administered over 30 minutes, or over 10 minutes as per institutional practice.
oxaliplatin 85 mg/m² intravenous 120 minutes
Instructions:

To run concurrently with folinic acid. 

  • Usual infusion time of two hours may be extended to up to 6 hours if needed to reduce likelihood and/or severity of adverse reactions.
  • Hypersensitivity risk increases with number of cycles of oxaliplatin.
foliNIc acid (as calcium folinate) 400 mg/m² intravenous 120 minutes
Instructions:
To run concurrently with oxaliplatin.
fluorouracil 2400 mg/m² intravenous 46 hours Min: 46 hours
Instructions:
Continuous infusion via pump over 46 hours.
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:
EIGHT hours after chemotherapy or before bed.
domperidone 10 mg Three times daily oral administration
Instructions:

When required for nausea and/or vomiting.

  • The choice of rescue antiemetic may be substituted to reflect institutional policy or individual patient characteristics.
loperamide 2 mg oral administration
Instructions:
Take TWO capsules (=4 mg) at onset of loose bowel motions and a further ONE capsule (=2 mg) for every loose bowel motion (maximum of EIGHT capsules in 24 hours), or use as directed by oncologist or haematologist.

Day: 2

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:

ONCE daily in the morning with food.

  • This dose may be reduced or omitted at clinician’s discretion.

Day: 3

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:

ONCE daily in the morning with food.

  • This dose may be reduced or omitted at clinician’s discretion.

Supportive Care Factors

Factor Value
Diarrhoea risk: Anti-diarrhoeals are usually prescribed with this treatment
Emetogenicity: Medium
Hypersensitivity / Infusion related reaction risk: Low - routine premedication not recommended

Emetogenicity: Women 50 years and under should be considered high risk for oxaliplatin-induced nausea and vomiting, so antiemetic prophylaxis regimen should include an NK1 (e.g. aprepitant 125 mg day 1 and 80 mg days 2 and 3) based on trial evidence.

* The medicines, doses, combinations, and schedule in this treatment regimen have been carefully reviewed against international best practice guidelines by specialists in medical oncology around New Zealand and this advice has been accepted for publication by Te Aho o Te Kahu (the Cancer Control Agency). Sometimes medicines that are used in routine clinical practice have not been through a formal review process by the NZ Medicines Regulator Medsafe and are therefore considered unapproved or off-label. These medicines are legally able to be prescribed through sections 25 and 29 of the Medicines Act and by obtaining informed consent from patients. All treatment regimens listed on this website have been through robust peer review and are considered an accepted standard of care, whether prescribed through sections 25 or 29 or carrying formal Medsafe Approval.

s29: This symbol indicates that some formulations of the associated medicine are legally only able to be prescribed under section 29 of the Medicines Act. You can see which formulations are section 29 by hovering over the s29 symbol. You can access full medication details from the New Zealand Formulary by clicking on the medication name. Each clinician retains full responsibility for ensuring they have complied with all relevant obligations and requirements of section 29 including obtaining informed patient consent prior to prescribing the applicable medicine.