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What is bleomycin?
Bleomycin is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Bleomycin interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body. Bleomycin is used to treat squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) of the head and neck, penis, cervix, and vulva; lymphomas; and testicular cancer. Bleomycin is also used in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. Bleomycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of bleomycin?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects from bleomycin, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• fever or chills;

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; or

• dizziness or mental confusion.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking bleomycin and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• hair loss; or

• skin redness, rash, darkening of the skin, hardening of the skin, or tenderness of the skin;

• nail changes;

• itching;

• mouth sores;

• pain at the tumor site;

• vomiting, decreased appetite, and weight loss.

Other side effects have also been reported. Discuss with your doctor any side effect that occurs during treatment with bleomycin.

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How should I use bleomycin?
Bleomycin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with bleomycin depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule. Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with bleomycin to monitor progress and side effects.

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What is the most important information I should know about bleomycin?
Bleomycin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Serious side effects have been reported with the use of bleomycin including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); a severe reaction consisting of low blood pressure, mental confusion, fever, chills, and wheezing; pulmonary fibrosis (a lung condition); and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with bleomycin.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of bleomycin.

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What other drugs will affect bleomycin?
Before using bleomycin, tell your doctor if you have had previous treatment with other cancer drugs or radiation treatment. You may not be able to take bleomycin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with bleomycin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with bleomycin.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Bleomycin has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of teratogenicity in mice. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. There are no data linking the use of bleomycin with congenital defects in humans. Bleomycin should only be given during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.

There are no data on the excretion of bleomycin into human milk.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to bleomycin or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What does my medication look like?
Bleomycin is available with a prescription under the brand name Blenoxane. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
If, for any reason, an overdose of bleomycin is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately. Symptoms of a bleomycin overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using bleomycin?
Do not use bleomycin without first talking to your doctor if you have: a breathing or respiratory problem; kidney problems; had previous treatment with bleomycin; or had radiation treatment. The use of bleomycin may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above. Bleomycin is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that bleomycin is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use bleomycin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatment with bleomycin.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
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