Bleomycin is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Bleomycin interferes with the growth of
cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Bleomycin is used to treat squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer that can affect the mouth,
throat, nose and sinuses, penis, vagina, cervix, and other. Bleomycin is also used to treat Hodgkin's
disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, testicular cancer, and malignant pleural effusion (a build-up of
fluid in the outer tissues of the lungs, caused by certain types of cancer).
Bleomycin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bleomycin?
You should not receive bleomycin if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use
this medication. Before receiving bleomycin, tell your doctor if you have:
lung disease or a breathing disorder;
kidney disease; or
liver disease.
FDA pregnancy category D.
Do not receive bleomycin
without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective
birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether bleomycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take bleomycin?
Bleomycin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein or muscle, or as a shot
given under the skin When treating pleural effusion, bleomycin is given through a chest tube. You will
receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.
Bleomycin is usually given once or twice per week, depending on the condition being treated.
Follow your doctor's instructions.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects on your lungs, you may need to
have chest X-rays or other lung function tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any follow-up visits to
your doctor for X-rays or other tests.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are being
treated with bleomycin.
What happens if I miss a dose of bleomycin?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your bleomycin injection.
Where can I get more information about bleomycin?
Your pharmacist has information about bleomycin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of bleomycin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
fever or chills;
sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or
hack;
feeling short of breath on exertion;
chest discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack;
confusion, feeling weak or tired, loss of appetite, rapid
weight loss;
feeling like you might pass out;
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
severe redness, itching, rash, blistering, or tenderness of
your skin; or
unusual hardening or thickening of your skin.
Less serious side effects may include:
dark streaks or discoloring on your skin;
fingernail or toenail changes;
temporary hair loss;
mild itching;
vomiting;
pain near your tumor; or
redness, warmth, itching, or swelling around the IV needle.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about bleomycin?
You should not receive bleomycin if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it.
Do not receive bleomycin
without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you
become pregnant during treatment.
Before receiving bleomycin, tell your doctor if you have lung disease or a breathing disorder,
kidney disease, or liver disease.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects on your lungs, you may need to
have chest X-rays or other lung function tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any follow-up visits to
your doctor for X-rays or other tests.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are being
treated with bleomycin.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as fever, chills, mouth sores,
confusion, weakness, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing,
dry cough, feeling short of breath, feeling like you might pass out, unusual hardening or thickening of
your skin. or severe skin reaction (redness, itching, rash, blistering, or tenderness).
What should I avoid while taking bleomycin?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while
you are being treated with bleomycin.
What other drugs will affect bleomycin?
Tell your doctor about all other cancer treatments you are receiving.
There may be other drugs that can interact with bleomycin. Tell your doctor about all your
prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009