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BLEOMYCIN (Blenoxane®) is a chemotherapy used for treating many kinds of cancer including cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, lymphomas, and testicular cancer. Bleomycin can be used alone or in combination with other anti cancer medicines. Bleomycin is also used to stop fluid from gathering around your lungs (i.e., effusions) and to treat warts. Generic bleomycin injections are available.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
·infection (bacterial, viral or fungal)
·kidney disease
·lung disease, especially fibrosis
·previous or are currently smoking tobacco
·previous radiation therapy
·Raynaud's disease
·an unusual or allergic reaction to bleomycin, other chemotherapy agents, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
·pregnant or trying to get pregnant
·breast-feeding
Bleomycin is for injection into a muscle or under the skin, or infusion into a vein. Bleomcyin may also be given through a special tube into the cavity around your lungs. Sometimes bleomycin is injected into a wart. It is usually given in a hospital or clinic setting by a trained health care professional.
It is important not to miss a dose. Let your prescriber or health care professional know if you are unable to keep an appointment.
·certain antibiotics given by injection
·cisplatin
·cyclosporine
·diuretics (water pills)
·foscarnet
·vaccines
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
·chest pain
·confusion
·cough
·difficulty breathing, wheezing
·feeling faint
·fever
·skin rash, hives
·unusual tiredness or weakness
·vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
·chills
·darkened, discolored skin
·hair loss
·itching
·loss of appetite
·malaise or feeling tired
·nail changes
·nausea
·tender, painful skin, at the injection site
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.
Bleomycin may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because bleomycin affects good cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to stop.
Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or cough. Do not treat yourself.
Avoid smoking while you are receiving bleomycin. Smoking can increase the risk of serious lung damage.
Men and women of childbearing age should use effective birth control methods during bleomycin treatment. There is a risk of birth defects if a woman becomes pregnant and is being treated with bleomycin. Women should not become pregnant while being treated with idarubicin or if their partner is being treated with bleomycin.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are receiving or have received bleomycin.
This does not apply. You will not be given this medicine to take at home.
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
This information was obtained from Clinical Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug or about any other drug, click here.
[ Revised 7/25/00]