Infrequently, bleomycin can cause a serious, allergic-like reaction. It is most common in lymphoma patients. Before your main treatment with this drug begins, your doctor may direct you to receive a smaller test dose to check for signs of this serious reaction. Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following serious side effects occur: dizziness/fainting, confusion, fever, chills, trouble breathing.

Severe (sometimes fatal) lung problems (lung scarring) have infrequently occurred in patients using this drug. This reaction is more likely in patients older than 70 years. The risk of this reaction increases as you receive more doses of this drug. This problem may occur anytime during treatment. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these serious side effects: cough, fever, chills, chest pain, or difficult/painful breathing.

Bleomycin is used to treat cancer. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

This medication may also be used to control the build-up of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) caused by tumors that have spread to the lungs. For this condition, bleomycin is placed in the space around the lungs through a chest tube.

Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids. Do not mix bleomycin in solutions that contain dextrose. Before using, check this medication visually for particles. If particles are present, do not use the liquid.

This medication is given by injection into a vein, into a muscle, or under the skin by a health care professional usually once or twice a week or as directed by your doctor. When giving this medication into a vein, inject it slowly over 10 minutes. Tell your health care professional immediately if you experience any chest pain. The medication may need to be stopped or injected more slowly.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to treatment.

If you are receiving this medication through a chest tube into the space around the lungs, the solution is usually left in place for 4 hours and then drained out through the chest tube. Your doctor may direct you to change positions during the 4 hours to make sure the solution treats all parts of your lungs.

Learn how to handle, use, and discard chemotherapy and medical supplies safely. Wash your hands carefully after handling this drug. Consult your pharmacist.

See also Warning section.

Pain/redness at the injection site, fever, chills, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, darkening of the skin, or changes in fingernails/toenails may occur. Changes in diet such as eating several small meals or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. In some cases, drug treatment may be necessary to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

Many people using this medication have serious side effects. However, your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.

Painful sores on the lips, mouth, and throat may occur. To decrease the risk, limit hot foods and drinks, brush your teeth carefully, avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol, and rinse your mouth frequently with cool water.

Bleomycin can commonly cause skin reactions (e.g., redness, itching, blisters, rash, swelling), usually in the second or third week of treatment. These reactions are not always serious. However, you may not be able to tell them apart from signs of a severe reaction. Therefore, tell your doctor immediately if you develop any skin reaction.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: dizziness/fainting, fast/pounding heartbeat, numbness/tingling, feeling of coldness in hands/feet, pale/bluish skin.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bruising/bleeding, coughing up blood, vomit that looks bloody or like coffee grounds, signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat), change in the amount of urine, mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, aggression), persistent nausea, stomach/abdominal pain, pink/dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: weakness on one side of the body, vision changes, slurred speech, chest pain.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: confusion, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using bleomycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially: immune system problems (e.g., chemotherapy, bone marrow problems), kidney disease, liver disease, lung problems.

This medication may make your lungs more sensitive to oxygen treatment. Therefore, tell your doctor or dentist that you have used this medication before having surgery or any treatment where oxygen may be used.

Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be at greater risk for side effects (e.g., lung problems) while using this drug.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm the unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: digoxin, drugs that may harm the kidneys (e.g., aminoglycosides such as gentamicin, cisplatin), phenytoin.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., chest X-rays, complete blood counts, kidney tests, liver tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Mixed solutions can be stored at cool room temperature for up to 24 hours.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised October 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.