Bleomycin
Description
Bleomycin is used alone or in combination with other medicines for the treatment of head and neck cancer (including the mouth, nose, throat, etc.) and cancers that affect the skin, cervix or external genitalia. This medicine is also used for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease and other certain types of blood cancers, as well as to treat malignant pleural effusions, a cancerous condition of an abnormal fluid build up in the chest cavity (lungs).
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Bleomycin
- Wheezing
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Fever or chills
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Pain at the injection site
- Discoloration of the nails
- Hair loss or thinning of the hair
- Cough
- Itching and skin rash
- Shortness of breath
- Mouth sores
Uses of Bleomycin
What is it prescribed for?
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Malignant Pleural Effusion
- Hodgkin's Disease
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Testicular Cancer
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe 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 necessary. 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 necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to Bleomycin or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Brentuximab
Coadministration of Bleomycin along with this medicine is not recommended due to the increased risk of serious respiratory complications.
Pulmonary infection or lung function impairment
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with pulmonary infection or lung function impairment due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. 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 necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Kidney diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.. Close monitoring of the liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Use in elderly
Use of this medicine may increase the risk of respiratory complications in elderly patients above the age of 70 years. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established. However, the doctor may prescribe this medicine in certain circumstances if the benefits outweigh the risk. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before administering this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed 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 hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated 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
Leflunomide
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Phenytoin
Azathioprine
Disease interactions
Pulmonary impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a compromised lung function due to the increased risk of lung toxicity. Close monitoring of lung function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by disrupting the DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in the cancer cells. This helps in stopping the growth and spread of cancer.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antibiotics/antineoplastics, Cytotoxic Antibiotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Bleocip Injection [Internet]. CiplaMed. 2019 [cited 26 August 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 11 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 11 December 2018]. Available from:
Bleomycin: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 26 August 2019]. Available from:
Bleomycin - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 11 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 26 Aug 2019
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.