Bleomycin (common brand name blenoxane) is a chemotherapy agent used in the treatment of Hodgkin's Lymphoma / Disease. It is more often than not given in conjunction with other chemotherapy agents in a multidrug regimen. It is an antineoplastic - bleomycin is an antitumor antibiotic, interfering with the growth of cancer cells.
Before taking this medicine: Inform the doctor if you have had kidney, liver, or lung disease. It should not be taken while pregnant and not while breast feeding without your doctors' advice.
While taking this medicine: It is important to keep in close contact with the doctor who will monitor dosage and effects. If you have surgery or emergency treatment, tell the doctor/dentist you are taking or have taken this medication.
Short Term Side Effects: Common: nausea and vomiting (ask your doctor about drugs to counteract nausea), fever/chills after dose, cough, shortness of breath, mouth sores, itching, rash, loss of appetite; Less Common: confusion, faintness, wheezing; Rare: sudden/severe chest pain, sudden weakness in arms/legs
Long Term Side Effects: hair loss (alopecia) during use - hair growth should return after treatment and lung (pulmonary) toxicity (doses should be monitored).
Some of the regimens using Bleomycin:
• ABVD (Hodgkin's Disease - the "B")
• Stanford V (Hodgkin's Disease)
Lung Damage
As stated, bleomycin can cause lung damage. The medical team may have the patient have lung tests before treatment. These can be used as a baseline to determine if your lungs are damaged by testing during or after treatment and comparing the results. You may wish to consult your medical team on the effects of bleomycin prior to starting treatment.
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Resources
Information on Bleomycin from Healthtouch (US)
Information sheet from CanCareSA (Australia)
Information on Anti-tumor Antibiotics including bleomycin (towards bottom of page) from UNMC
Manufacturer
Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology (blenoxane)
Customer Service: (609) 897-2000
P.O. Box 4500 Princeton , New Jersey 08543-4500
Related Articles
For more information on Hodgkin's Lymphoma, please see the following pages:
Adult Hodgkin's Disease: Chemotherapy
Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Treatment
Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Introduction
Childhood Hodgkin's Disease: Chemotherapy
Childhood Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Treatment
Childhood Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Introduction
