Bleomycin
Trade Name:
Blenoxane
Type of Drug:
Bleomycin belongs to the general group of chemotherapy drugs known as antibiotics. It is used to treat several types of cancer including testicular cancer and lymphoma.
How Drug Works:
Bleomycin inteferes with cell division, which results in the cell being destroyed.
How Drug Is Given:
Bleomycin is given by a shot into a vein, either over 10 minutes or as a continuous infusion for 24 hours. It can also be given as a shot into the muscle or under the skin. The dose is based on your size. The drug will be given after you have a special breathing test, and the test may be repeated a few times during treatment.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.

Before taking this drug, tell your doctor:

  • If you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. This drug may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Men and women who are taking this drug need to use some kind of birth control. However, do not use oral contraceptives (“the pill”) without checking with your doctor.

  • If you think you may want to have children in the future. Many chemotherapy drugs can cause sterility.

  • If you have any of the following medical problems: chickenpox or exposure to chickenpox, gout, heart disease, congestive heart failure, shingles, kidney stones, liver disease, or other forms of cancer.

  • If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
After receiving this drug, it is important not to receive pure oxygen—for example, during surgery.
There is a very small chance that patients with lymphoma will have an allergic reaction when receiving bleomycin. Your doctor may give you a test dose of the medicine before you receive the full dose.
Most patients will have a fever the night after getting the drug. This is caused by the drug, and you will probably get medicine before your next dose to prevent the fever.
Bleomycin can cause lung toxicity. You probably will have a lung test (pulmonary function test) before you get the drug, and this may be repeated several times during treatment. After you have begun receiving the drug, tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially in the cold.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
  • Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Fever and chills
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Hair loss
  • Sores in mouth or on lips
  • Skin changes, such as darkened, thickened areas of skin or nails, rash, or dry skin peeling at the fingertips
Less Common Side Effects
  • Pain at tumor site
  • Pain at place of injection
  • Irritation of vein used for giving the drug
  • Irritation of lungs
Rare Side Effects
  • Scarring of lung tissue
  • Anaphylactic reaction with decreased blood pressure, confusion, rapid heart rate, wheezing, and facial swelling
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: This drug is approved for cancer treatment.