Bendamustine

Description

Bendamustine is a nitrogen-mustard compound used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Bendamustine

  • Black or tarry stools
  • Bleeding gums
  • Blood in urine and stools
  • Chest pain and discomfort
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever and chills
  • Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
  • Headache
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Difficult or painful urination
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen and/or painful glands
  • Troubled breathing
  • Ulcer, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
  • Burning or stinging sensation
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Painful cold sores or blisters
  • Dizziness
  • Blistering and peeling of skin

Uses of Bendamustine

What is it prescribed for?

  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
  • Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to bendamustine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings

Other medicines

This medicine may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that your report to the doctor all your current medicines, including any herbs and supplements, before receiving therapy with this medicine.

Blood cell count

Use of this medicine is known to lower the count of white blood cells (neutrophils) and platelets. Close monitoring of complete blood cell counts is necessary before and during therapy with this medicine. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Cardiovascular diseases

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of cardiovascular diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases.

Lung diseases

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of lung diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases.

Infections

Use of this medicine may increase the risk of infections including pneumonia, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, sepsis, etc. This risk is especially higher in patients with a history of these infections. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases.

Liver diseases

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function tests is necessary during treatment with this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary if the patient has severe liver function impairment.

Kidney diseases

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary during treatment with this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary if the patient has severe kidney function impairment.

Hematologic toxicity

Use of this medicine should be delayed in the event of grade 4 hematologic toxicity or clinically significant toxicity equal to or above grade 2. Appropriate dose adjustments and clinical monitoring are advised based on the grade of toxicity identified clinically.

Infusion reaction and severe allergy

Use of this medicine may cause severe allergic reactions resulting in fever, chills, skin rashes, especially in the second and subsequent cycles of therapy. Close monitoring of clinical condition is advised during treatment with this medicine. Use should be discontinued if the allergic reaction is severe or life-threatening.

Tumor lysis syndrome

Use of this medicine may cause tumor lysis syndrome, a condition where a large number of cancer cells are killed and their contents are released into the bloodstream. This may cause acute kidney failure and death. Close clinical monitoring is advised, especially during the first cycle of treatment. Appropriate corrective and preventive measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Missed Dose

Since this medicine is administered in the clinical/hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low. If you miss an appointment for a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.

Overdose

Since this medicine is administered in the clinical/hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be instituted by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Live attenuated vaccines and related products

Isoniazid

Infliximab

Adalimumab

Albendazole

Norfloxacin

Clozapine

Esomeprazole

Allopurinol

Disease interactions

Liver Disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function tests is necessary during treatment with this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary if the patient has severe liver function impairment.

Kidney Disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary during treatment with this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary if the patient has severe kidney function impairment.

Bone Marrow Depression/Blood Dyscrasias

This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from bone marrow suppression or altered levels of blood cell components (blood dyscrasias) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. The risk of infections including pneumonia, sepsis, septic shock, and death is significantly high in such cases. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases.
Food interactions
Use of caffeine and caffeine-based products should be avoided during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Report any flu-like symptoms, tiredness, dizziness, sore throat, body aches, unusual bleeding or bruising, etc. to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments may be necessary based on your clinical condition.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is administered in the clinical/hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional. It is given in cycles either alone or in a combination with other medicines and it is important to receive every scheduled dose. Close monitoring of blood cell counts is necessary during treatment with this medicine. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the therapy with this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
This medicine interferes with DNA synthesis and blocks the growth of cancer cells.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Alkylating agents

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 14 September 2018]. Available from:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/022303lbl.pdf

Bendamustine [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 14 September 2018]. Available from:

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Bendamustine

Bendamustine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 14 September 2018]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB06769

DailyMed - Bendamustine hydrochloride injection [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 14 September 2018]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=864f1c02-761f-4049-89fa-7aeec4118226

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Information on this page was last updated on 17 Sep 2018

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.