BLEOMYCIN

Cytotoxic anticancer

Dosage Forms

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Powder for injection

15,000 IU

Uses

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  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Hodgkin’s disease and other malignant lymphomas
  • Testicular teratoma
  • Malignant effusions of serous cavities

Dose and Duration

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Consult product leaflet and patient’s treatment protocol

Contraindications

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  • Acute pulmonary infection
  • Reduced lung function
  • Previous hypersensitivity to bleomycin

Side Effects

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  • Pulmonary toxicity (fibrosis)
  • Pain at injection site

Interactions

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  • Clozapine (increased risk of agranulocytosis)
  • Cisplatin (increased risk of pulmonary toxicity)

Patient Instructions

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  • Report immediately any shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
  • Report immediately any unexplained bleeding or infection

Pregnancy

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  • Do not use

Breastfeeding

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  • Do not use

Storage

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  • Store at 2−8°C. Protect from light

⚠️ Caution

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  • Reduce dose in renal impairment.
  • Pulmonary toxicity is dose-related and age-related, occur ring more commonly at cumulative doses greater than 300,000 units and in the elderly
  • Pulmonary toxicity also increased in patient receiving high dose oxygen during surgical anaesthesia
  • Use lower doses if patient is receiving concurrent radiotherapy to the chest
  • Exercise caution when handling; irritant to tissues
  • Anticancer medicines should only be handled by health workers trained and experienced in cytotoxic medicines