Blenoxane (Bleomycin Sulfate Injection) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 9, 2012

Blenoxane

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What is cancer?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body. The abnormal cells are termed cancer cells, malignant cells, or tumor cells. Many cancers and the abnormal cells that compose the cancer tissue are further identified by the name of the tissue that the abnormal cells originated from (for example, breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer). Cancer is not confined to humans; animals and other living organisms can get cancer. Below is a schematic that shows normal cell division and how when a cell is damaged or altered without repair to its system, the cell usually dies. Also shown is what can occur when such damaged or unrepaired cells do not die and become cancer cells and proliferate with uncontrolled growth; a mass of cancer cells develop. Frequently, cancer cells can break away from this original mass of cells, travel through the blood and lymph systems, and lodge in other organs where they can again repeat the ...

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Blenoxane

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BLENOXANE®
(bleomycin sulfate) for Injection, USP

WARNING

It is recommended that BLENOXANE (bleomycin sulfate injection) be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Appropriate management of therapy and complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities ar readily available.

Pulmonary fibrosis is the most severe toxicity associated with BLENOXANE (bleomycin sulfate injection) . The most frequent presentation is pneumonitis occasionally progressing to pulmonary fibrosis. Its occurrence is higher in elderly patients and in those receiving greater than 400 units total dose, but pulmonary toxicity has been observed in young patients and those treated with low doses.

A severe idiosyncratic reaction consisting of hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, and wheezing has been reported in approximately 1% of lymphoma patients treated with BLENOXANE (bleomycin sulfate injection) .

DRUG DESCRIPTION

BLENOXANE® (bleomycin sulfate for injection, USP) is a mixture of cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotics isolated from a strain of Streptomyces verticillus. It is freely soluble in water.

Note: A unit of bleomycin is equal to the formerly used milligram activity. The term milligram activity is a misnomer and was changed to units to be more precise.

What are the possible side effects of bleomycin (Blenoxane)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

fever or chills;
sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack;
feeling short of breath on exertion;
chest discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack;
confusion, feeling weak or tired, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss;
feeling...

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What are the precautions when taking bleomycin sulfate injection (Blenoxane)?

Before using bleomycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

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....

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Last reviewed on RxList: 6/22/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.