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Brand Names: Treanda

Generic Name: bendamustine (Pronunciation: BEN da MUS teen)

• What is bendamustine (Treanda)?
• What are the possible side effects of bendamustine (Treanda)?
• What is the most important information I should know about bendamustine (Treanda)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive bendamustine (Treanda)?
• How is bendamustine given (Treanda)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Treanda)?
• What happens if I overdose (Treanda)?
• What should I avoid while receiving bendamustine (Treanda)?
• What other drugs will affect bendamustine (Treanda)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is bendamustine (Treanda)?

Bendamustine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Bendamustine is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Bendamustine is also used to treat indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of this condition.

Bendamustine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of bendamustine (Treanda)?

Some people receiving a bendamustine injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you have fever, chills, itching, or skin rash during or shortly after the injection.

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

Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• cough with yellow or green mucus, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, extreme weakness;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lower back pain, urinating less than usual;
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness or stiffness;
• confusion, hallucinations; or
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, constipation;
• dry mouth, decreased sensation of taste;
• drowsiness, tired feeling;
• headache;
• weight loss; or
• pain, itching, swelling or other irritation around the IV needle.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about bendamustine (Treanda)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to bendamustine or mannitol (Osmitrol).

Before you receive bendamustine, tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system, fever or other signs of infection, a metabolic disorder or electrolyte imbalance, liver or kidney disease, or if you smoke.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), cimetidine (Tagamet), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), omeprazole (Prilosec), thiabendazole (Mintezol), or a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Solfoton) and others.

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Tell your caregiver right away if you have a fever, chills, itching, or skin rash during or shortly after the injection.

Other serious side effects to tell your doctor about include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, feeling short of breath, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, severe skin rash or itching, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, urinating less than usual, weak pulse, muscle weakness or stiffness, confusion, hallucinations, or white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your blood pressure may also need to be checked. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.