Bendamustine
About Bendamustine
Bendamustine belongs to a class of anti-cancer medicines used in the treatment of Leukemia. Leukemia, also known as blood cancer, is a cancer of blood cells or blood-forming tissues. This medicine is used in the treatment of Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin’s leukemia (NHL) that has progressed during six months of treatment with rituximab or rituximab-containing treatment.
Bendamustine contains Bendamustine, which belongs to the alkylating agents class. It works by inhibiting the DNA and RNA transcription that is essential for protein synthesis.
Bendamustine may cause certain side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, anorexia, decreased weight, constipation, fever, decreased platelet count, fatigue, cough, headache, rash, injection site reactions and pain at the site of injection. If the side effects bother you, inform your doctor. A trained healthcare professional will administer Bendamustine. Hence, do not self-administer.
Bendamustine should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other components present in it. Before receiving this injection, inform your doctor if you have any pre-existing or a history of liver/kidney disease, cardiac disorders, cancer, active infections, skin problems, or any allergic conditions. Bendamustine is known to cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor beforehand.
Uses of Bendamustine
Medicinal Benefits
Bendamustine contains Bendamustine, which belongs to the class of alkylating agents. It works by inhibiting the DNA and RNA transcription that is essential for protein synthesis. This causes shrinkage of tumor cells and thereby prevents the growth and further spread of cancerous or non-cancerous cells. This medicine is used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s leukemia.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Bendamustine
- Diarrhoea
- Back pain
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Cough
- Bruising or bleeding gums
- Pain at the site of injection
- Fever
- Anorexia
- Constipation
- Decreased platelet count
- Rashes
- Decreased weight
- Injection site reactions
Drug Warnings
Bendamustine should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other components present in it. Let your doctor know about your complete medical history, including current medication, to rule out any side effects/interactions. Before receiving this injection, inform your doctor if you have any history of liver/kidney disease, cardiac disorders, cancer, active infections, skin problems, or any allergic conditions. Bendamustine may cause myelosuppression, active infections, severe skin reactions, tumor lysis syndrome (tumor cells release their contents into the bloodstream), other malignancies, and hypersensitivity reactions in some patients. Hence, careful monitoring should be done during the entire treatment. Bendamustine may cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, inform your doctor beforehand. Before nursing, a breastfeeding mother should ask her oncologist whether this medicine is safe for use or not. Bendamustine is not recommended for use in children as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Bendamustine may interact with vaccines, CYP1A2 inhibitors (ketoconazole, clopidogrel, ritonavir, imipramine, clozapine), CYP1A2 inducers (Cimetidine, rifampicin, verapamil, phenytoin), monoclonal antibodies ((etanercept, baricitinib, certolizumab, golimumab, infliximab), vaccines and other medicines.
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, skin diseases, and infections before receiving Bendamustine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionLimit or avoid consumption of alcohol as it may worsen your condition.
Pregnancy
unsafeBendamustine is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Bendamustine. Use reliable methods of birth control while on treatment with Bendamustine.
Breast Feeding
cautionIf you are a nursing mother, inform your doctor before receiving Bendamustine. You should not breastfeed while on treatment with Bendamustine.
Driving
not applicable-
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Bendamustine. A dose adjustment of this medicine or a suitable alternative may be advised based on your condition. Bendamustine is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver disease.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before receiving Bendamustine. A dose adjustment of this medicine or a suitable alternative may be advised based on your condition. This medicine should be avoided for patients with CrCl <40 ml/min.
Children
unsafeBendamustine is not recommended for use in children as the safety and efficacy is not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- After your treatment begins, dietary adjustments can help you control side effects.
- Anyone suffering from a chronic illness, including cancer, should consume foods high in protein, healthy fats, whole grains, and vitamins and minerals.
- Plant-based proteins are among the greatest meals to take during chemotherapy or other cancer treatments. They have the highest concentrations of vitamins and minerals, such as nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes.
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Include leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty fish, berries, yoghurt, apples, peaches, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beans, and herbs.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath or listening to soothing music.
- Get optimal sleep; rest well.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Avoid fast and fried food, processed meats, refined carbs and added sugars.
Special Advise
- A blood test should be performed, such as a liver function test, or renal function test, to check for liver/kidney function.
- Weekly blood tests should be done during the treatment to check for CBC (Complete blood count).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Indolent B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Leukemia: Non-Hodgkin’s disease or Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a blood cancer that affects your lymph system. It causes the uncontrollable growth of cancer cells in the lymph nodes. The lymph system is a part of the immune system which protects your body from disease and infections. In indolent B cell Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the cancer cells grow slowly in the B lymphocytes. Symptoms include lymph node swelling, abdominal pain, chest pain, cough, fever, and night sweats.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia: It is a type of cancer that occurs in the bone marrow and blood. It increases the number of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). The symptoms include fever, enlarged liver, bone or joint pain, shortness of breath, weakness, and bleeding from gums or bruises.
FAQs
Bendamustine is used to treat Non-Hodgkin’s disease and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia.
Bendamustine contains Bendamustine, which inhibits the DNA and RNA transcription essential for cancer cell growth.
Bendamustine may cause reactivation of serious infections, myelosuppression, tumour lysis syndrome, and anaphylactic reactions in some patients. Hence, inform your oncologist about your complete medical history, including current medication, to rule out any side effects/interactions.
Bendamustine is safe when used as per the dose and duration advised by a doctor.
Bendamustine has the vesicant (irritant) properties.
Yes, the use of Bendamustine can cause hair loss and constipation as a side effect. This will gradually reduce over time and does not require any medical attention. However, please contact a doctor if this condition persists for longer or worsens.
Bendamustine can cross the blood-brain barrier and can be utilized for treating cancers that have spread to the brain.
Bendamustine may cause side effects such as diarrhoea, back pain, vomiting, stomach pain, cough, pain at the site of injection, fever, constipation, decreased blood pressure, rashes, and decreased weight. Please, contact a doctor if these side effects persist for longer durations.
