Bleomycin
Generic Name: bleomycin
Brand Names:
Bleomycin
DESCRIPTION Bleomycin for Injection, USP is a mixture of cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotics isolated from a strain of Streptomyces verticillus . It is freely soluble in water. Bleomycin for injection is provided as a sterile, white to off-white, lyophilized cake or powder in vials for intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous administration. Each 15 unit and 30 unit vial contains sterile bleomycin sulfate equivalent to 15 or 30 units of bleomycin, respectively.
Overview
DESCRIPTION Bleomycin for Injection, USP is a mixture of cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotics isolated from a strain of Streptomyces verticillus . It is freely soluble in water. Bleomycin for injection is provided as a sterile, white to off-white, lyophilized cake or powder in vials for intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous administration. Each 15 unit and 30 unit vial contains sterile bleomycin sulfate equivalent to 15 or 30 units of bleomycin, respectively.
Uses
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Bleomycin for Injection, USP should be considered a palliative treatment. It has been shown to be useful in the management of the Squamous Cell Carcinoma Head and neck (including mouth, tongue, tonsil, nasopharynx, oropharynx, sinus, palate, lip, buccal mucosa, gingivae, epiglottis, skin, larynx), penis, cervix, and vulva. The response to bleomycin is poorer in patients with previously irradiated head and neck cancer. Lymphomas Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Testicular Carcinoma Embryonal cell, choriocarcinoma, and teratocarcinoma.
Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Because of the possibility of an anaphylactold reaction, lymphoma patients should be treated with 2 units or less for the first two doses. If no acute reaction occurs, then the regular dosage schedule may be followed. The following dose schedule is recommended: Squamous cell carcinoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, testicular carcinoma — 0.25 to 0.50 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m 2 ) given intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously weekly or twice weekly. Hodgkin's disease— 0.25 to 0.50 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m 2 ) given intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously weekly or twice weekly. After a 50% response, a maintenance dose of 1 unit daily or 5 units weekly intravenously or intramuscularly should be given.
Side Effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS Pulmonary The most serious side effects are pulmonary adverse reactions, occurring in approximately 10% of treated patients. The most frequent presentation is pneumonitis occasionally progressing to pulmonary fibrosis. Approximately 1% of patients treated have died of pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary toxicity is both dose and age related, being more common in patients over 70 years of age and in those receiving over 400 units total dose. This toxicity, however, is unpredictable and has been seen in young patients receiving low doses. Some published reports have suggested that the risk of pulmonary toxicity may be increased when bleomycin is used in combination with G-CSF (filgrastim) or other cytokines.
Interactions
Drug Interactions Drugs that Can Affect Renal Clearance Because bleomycin is eliminated predominantly through renal excretion, the administration of nephrotoxic drugs with bleomycin may affect its renal clearance. Specifically, in one report of 2 children receiving concomitant cisplatin with bleomycin, total body clearance of bleomycin decreased from 39 to 18 mL/min/m 2 as the cumulative dose of cisplatin exceeded 300 mg/m 2 . Terminal half-life of bleomycin also increased from 4.4 to 6 hours. Fatal bleomycin pulmonary toxicity has been reported in a patient with unrecognized cisplatin-induced oliguric renal failure.
Warnings
WARNING WARNING It is recommended that bleomycin 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 are readily available. Pulmonary fibrosis is the most severe toxicity associated with bleomycin. The most frequent presentation is pneumonitis occasionally progressing to pulmonary fibrosis. WARNINGS Patients receiving bleomycin must be observed carefully and frequently during and after therapy. It should be used with extreme caution in patients with significant impairment of renal function or compromised pulmonary function. Pulmonary toxicities occur in 10% of treated patients. In approximately 1%, the nonspecific pneumonitis induced by bleomycin progresses to pulmonary fibrosis and death. Although this is age and dose related, the toxicity is unpredictable. Frequent roentgenograms are recommended (see ADVERSE REACTIONS : Pulmonary ). A severe idiosyncratic reaction (similar to anaphylaxis) consisting of hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, and wheezing has been reported in approximately 1% of lymphoma patients treated with bleomycin. CONTRAINDICATIONS Bleomycin is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated a hypersensitive or an idiosyncratic reaction to it.
Pregnancy
Use in Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category D: Bleomycin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. It has been shown to be teratogenic in rats. Administration of intraperitoneal doses of 1.5 mg/kg/day to rats (about 1.6 times the recommended human dose on a unit/m 2 basis) on days 6 to 15 of gestation caused skeletal malformations, shortened innominate artery and hydroureter.
Storage
HOW SUPPLIED Bleomycin for Injection, USP is available as follows: NDC 0143-9240-01 , 15 units of bleomycin per vial as bleomycin sulfate USP. NDC 0143-9241-01 , 30 units of bleomycin per vial as bleomycin sulfate USP. Stability The sterile powder is stable under refrigeration 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F) and should not be used after the expiration date is reached.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bleomycin used for?▼
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Bleomycin for Injection, USP should be considered a palliative treatment. It has been shown to be useful in the management of the Squamous Cell Carcinoma Head and neck (including mouth, tongue, tonsil, nasopharynx, oropharynx, sinus, palate, lip, buccal mucosa, gingivae, epiglottis, skin, larynx), penis, cervix, and vulva. The response to bleomycin is poorer in patients with previously irradiated head and neck cancer. Lymphomas Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Testicular Carcinoma Embryonal cell, choriocarcinoma, and teratocarcinoma.
What are the side effects of Bleomycin?▼
ADVERSE REACTIONS Pulmonary The most serious side effects are pulmonary adverse reactions, occurring in approximately 10% of treated patients. The most frequent presentation is pneumonitis occasionally progressing to pulmonary fibrosis. Approximately 1% of patients treated have died of pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary toxicity is both dose and age related, being more common in patients over 70 years of age and in those receiving over 400 units total dose. This toxicity, however, is unpredictable and has been seen in young patients receiving low doses. Some published reports have suggested that the risk of pulmonary toxicity may be increased when bleomycin is used in combination with G-CSF (filgrastim) or other cytokines.
Can I take Bleomycin during pregnancy?▼
Use in Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category D: Bleomycin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. It has been shown to be teratogenic in rats. Administration of intraperitoneal doses of 1.5 mg/kg/day to rats (about 1.6 times the recommended human dose on a unit/m 2 basis) on days 6 to 15 of gestation caused skeletal malformations, shortened innominate artery and hydroureter.
What are the important warnings for Bleomycin?▼
WARNING WARNING It is recommended that bleomycin 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 are readily available. Pulmonary fibrosis is the most severe toxicity associated with bleomycin. The most frequent presentation is pneumonitis occasionally progressing to pulmonary fibrosis. WARNINGS Patients receiving bleomycin must be observed carefully and frequently during and after therapy. It should be used with extreme caution in patients with significant impairment of renal function or compromised pulmonary function. Pulmonary toxicities occur in 10% of treated patients. In approximately 1%, the nonspecific pneumonitis induced by bleomycin progresses to pulmonary fibrosis and death. Although this is age and dose related, the toxicity is unpredictable. Frequent roentgenograms are recommended (see ADVERSE REACTIONS : Pulmonary ). A severe idiosyncratic reaction (similar to anaphylaxis) consisting of hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, and wheezing has been reported in approximately 1% of lymphoma patients treated with bleomycin. CONTRAINDICATIONS Bleomycin is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated a hypersensitive or an idiosyncratic reaction to it.
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Medical Disclaimer
This drug information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Drug information is sourced from the FDA National Drug Code Directory and Structured Product Labeling. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.