Bleomycin, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by injection to treat certain kinds of cancer or to prevent or treat fluid build-up around the lungs caused by some cancers.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause serious lung problems or other unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: bleomycin, injection

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to treat cancers such as:

• Cancer of the testicles
• Hodgkin's disease
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Squamous cell cancer of the head or neck

It is also used to prevent or treat fluid build-up around the lungs caused by some cancers.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Circulation problems, such as Raynaud’s disease or peripheral vascular disease
• Kidney problems
• Lung disease or breathing problems. Also tell your provider if you smoke cigarettes.

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

How do I use it?

The shots are given by a healthcare provider in a clinic or hospital where you can be monitored closely. Keep all your appointments for the injections.

What should I watch out for?

A serious reaction may happen during treatment or within several hours after an injection of this medicine. Usually, this reaction happens after the first or second dose. If you have dizziness, fainting, confusion, fever, chills, and wheezing, tell your provider right away.

This medicine may cause severe or life-threatening lung problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have shortness of breath or trouble breathing.

If you need to be given oxygen for a surgery or procedure, make sure the healthcare provider knows that you are receiving this medicine. You may need to have chest X-rays or other lung tests, and lab tests every 1 to 2 weeks during treatment with this medicine.

This medicine may cause mouth sores, skin changes, skin irritation, or rash. Talk with your healthcare provider about this. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

You may lose your hair during this treatment. Your hair will grow back when you stop taking this medicine.

This medicine may make your mouth sore. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat); sudden weakness, numbness, or tingling, especially on one side of your body; sudden or severe headache; sudden trouble with vision, speech, balance, or walking.

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Sudden weakness or confusion, severe dizziness, fainting, fever, chills, wheezing, trouble breathing, new or worsening cough, sudden chest pain, light-colored bowel movements, severe stomach pain, severe nausea or vomiting, yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, decreased urination, trouble urinating, sores inside mouth or on lips, severe or painful skin changes or rash, blisters, injection site pain or redness.

Other: Dark patches on skin, skin tenderness or redness, nail changes, hair loss, tiredness or weakness, headache, itching, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Arthritis medicines such as leflunomide (Arava) and tofacitinib (Xeljanz)
• Cancer medicines such as asparaginase (Erwinaze), brentuximab (Adcetris), cisplatin, dacarbazine, doxorubicin (Doxil), interferon-alfa, tamoxifen, vinblastine, and vincristine (Marqibo)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Echinacea
• Fingolimod (Gilenya)
• Methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Rheumatrex, Trexall)
• Natalizumab (Tysabri)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
• Vaccines

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.