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Bleomycin Uses Side effects Precautions Overdose Bleomycin vs Zeocin Frequently Asked Questions Citations

What is Bleomycin?

Bleomycin is a cancer care drug. This includes, among others, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-lymphoma, Hodgkin's testicular, ovarian, and cervical cancer. It can be administered intravenously, by injection into a muscle or under the skin, usually used with other cancer drugs.

Bleomycin Uses

Bleomycin is used in cancer care. This drug can also be used to manage the build-up of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) caused by tumors that have spread to the lungs. It works by slowing or preventing the growth of cancer cells. Bleomycin is inserted in the space around the lungs through a chest tube for this disease.

How to use Bleomycin SULFATE Vial

This drug is administered by injection into a vein, muscle, or under the skin by a medical professional, usually once or twice a week or as prescribed by your doctor. This drug is injected steadily over a duration of 10 minutes when it is administered into a vein. If you feel some chest pain, inform your health care provider right away. There may be a need to pause or inject the drug more slowly. The dose depends on your medical condition, body size and treatment reaction.

If you get this drug into the room around the lungs through a chest tube, the solution is usually left in place for 4 hours and then pumped out through the chest tube. In order to ensure that the solution treats all parts of your lungs, your doctor can guide you to change your position within 4 hours.

Bleomycin Side Effects

Some of the common side effects of Bleomycin are:

  • Pain/redness at the injection site
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Darkening of the skin
  • Changes in fingernails/toenails
  • Changes in diet schedule
  • Eating several small meals
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Temporary hair loss
  • Painful sores on the lips
  • Mouth sores and throat
  • Skin reactions
  • Redness
  • Itching
  • Blisters
  • Rash
  • Swelling
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Fast/pounding heartbeat
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Feeling of coldness in hands/feet
  • Easy bruising/bleeding
  • Pale/bluish skin
  • Coughing up blood
  • Vomit that might looks bloody or like coffee grounds
  • Signs of infection
  • Persistent sore throat
  • Signs of kidney problems
  • Change in the urine
  • Pink urine
  • Mental/mood changes
  • Confusion
  • Aggression
  • Persistent nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark urine
  • Yellowing eyes/skin
  • Weakness on one side of the body
  • Vision changes
  • Trouble speaking
  • Chest pain

Precautions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist whether you are allergic to bleomycin, or if you have any other allergies before using bleomycin. There might be some inactive ingredients in this substance that may cause allergic reactions or other problems.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, including HIV disease, diabetes, kidney disease, before taking this drug.Sugar is present in this product. If you have diabetes, caution is recommended. Inquire about the appropriate use of this medication with your doctor or pharmacist. Denture wearers need to be vigilant during treatment with this drug to properly clean and protect their dentures.This medicine should only be used when it is urgently required during pregnancy.

This medication can increase the sensitivity of your lungs to oxygen treatment. Tell your doctor or dentist, therefore, that you have used this drug before you have undergone surgery or other operation that might use oxygen.

When you get older, kidney function decreases. This drug is derived from the kidneys. Therefore, when taking this drug, elderly people could be at higher risk for side effects (e.g., lung problems).

During pregnancy, this drug is not approved for use. The unborn baby could be affected. For more info, contact your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or think that you might be pregnant.

Whether this medication passes into breast milk or not is not known. It is not advised to breast-feed when using this medication because of the potential risk to the child. Before breast-feeding, consult the doctor.

Note

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as kidney/liver function, complete blood count, blood mineral levels, hearing tests) should be performed while you are using this medicine. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments in records.

Missed dose

It is important to take each dose of this medicine as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a new dosing schedule immediately.

Overdose

Never take more doses than what is preferred. If someone has taken overdoses, immediately take them to the medical emergency.

Bleomycin vs Zeocin

Bleomycin
Zeocin
Formula - C55H85N17O25S4 Formula: C55H86N20O21S2
Bleomycin is a medication used for treating cancer. A glycopeptide antibiotic
This drug can also be used to manage the build-up of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) caused by tumors that have spread to the lungs. Is effective against most bacteria, filamentous fungi
Molecular Weight 1512.6 g/mol Molecular Weight 1427.5 g/mol

Citations

Bleomycin https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/1097-0142(1967)20:5%3C891::AID-CNCR2820200550%3E3.0.CO;2-V
Effects of Bleomycin https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ijc.2910430310

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects of bleomycin?

Injection site reactions (pressure, redness, warmth, itching, or swelling), fever, chills, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, darkening or discoloration of the skin, changes in the fingernails or toenails, itching, or pain near the tumor are typical side effects of Blenoxane (bleomycin sulfate).

What does bleomycin do to the lungs?

An interstitial oedema with an explosion of inflammatory and immune cells is part of the lung injury seen after bleomycin. This can contribute to the development of pulmonary fibrosis, characterized by increased collagen production and deposition and other components of the matrix.

What is Bleomycin used for?

Bleomycin is used in cancer care. This drug can also be used to manage the build-up of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) caused by tumors that have spread to the lungs. It works by slowing or preventing the growth of cancer cells. Bleomycin is inserted in the space around the lungs through a chest tube for this disease.

Does bleomycin cause hair loss?

In some people, Bleomycin can cause temporary hair loss. Natural hair growth should return after treatment has finished, but it may take many months. If you smoke, side effects that damage your lungs (such as coughing and shortness of breath) may be more likely to occur.

Why does bleomycin cause pulmonary fibrosis?

By modulating fibroblast proliferation via a TGF- response, bleomycin can upregulate collagen synthesis. Extreme, permanent pulmonary fibrosis can result from excessive collagen deposition.

How do you administer bleomycin?

Intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, intrapleural, intralesional, or intra arterial bleomycin is administered. Acetaminophen pre-medication can decrease the incidence of fever and chills following administration of bleomycin.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.