Bleomycin
About Bleomycin
Bleomycin belongs to a group of anti-cancer medicines used to treat certain types of cancer (squamous cell carcinomas) in the head and neck, cervix and external genitalia, lymph node cancer, testicular cancer, and fluid accumulation in the lungs (as a result of cancer). Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. Some of the body's cells begin to divide into all cancer types without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer can be localized (benign) or spread to the whole body (metastasized).
Bleomycin contains 'Bleomycin' that works by interfering with the growth of genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This prevents the cancer cells from multiplying and growing and eventually kills them. Bleomycin is used as chemotherapy for various cancers.
Bleomycin will be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Kindly do not self-administer. You may experience nausea, vomiting, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, itching, tenderness, hair loss, and swelling of the fingertips. Most of these side effects of Bleomycin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Bleomycin for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop the Bleomycin midway. Talk to your doctor before taking Bleomycin; if you have allergies, heart problems, one marrow depression, kidney disease, liver disease, chickenpox, lung disease, and treatment with chemotherapy or radiation, inform your doctor. Avoid taking Bleomycin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because this Bleomycin can cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. Both women and men using this Bleomycin should use birth control to avoid pregnancy. Possible side effects of chemotherapy with Bleomycin may occur, such as nausea and vomiting. If you are affected by these side effects, you should not drive and/or operate machines that require you to be alert.
Uses of Bleomycin
Medicinal Benefits
Bleomycin belongs to the group of anti-cancer medicines called antimetabolite. It treats certain types of cancer in the head and neck, cervix and external genitalia, lymph node cancer, testicular cancer, and fluid accumulation in the lungs (resulting from cancer). Bleomycin contains bleomycin that works by interfering with the growth of genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This prevents the cancer cells from multiplying and growing and eventually kills them.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Bleomycin
- Interstitial pneumonitis (inflammatory changes in the lungs)
- Pulmonary fibrosis (disease of the lung tissue caused by increased formation of connective tissue between the alveoli)
- Laboured breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mucositis (inflammation of the mucous membranes)
- Stomatitis (inflammation of the mucous lining of the mouth)
- Inflammatory redness of the skin
- Itching
- Striae (stretch marks)
- Blistering
- Hyperpigmentation (increased pigment formation)
- Tenderness and swelling of the fingertips
- Hyperkeratosis (excessive thickening of the skin)
- Hair loss
Drug Warnings
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Bleomycin for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop the Bleomycin midway. Before taking Bleomycin, inform your doctor if you have any infection because Bleomycin may worsen the conditions. Talk to your doctor. If you have any allergy symptoms, metabolic disorders, heart problems, bone marrow depression, kidney disease, liver disease, and treatment with chemotherapy or radiation, inform your doctor. Some patients may experience a sensitivity to light while taking Bleomycin and avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight is recommended. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant because this Bleomycin can cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. Both women and men using this Bleomycin should use birth control to avoid pregnancy. Using this Bleomycin by either parent may result in birth defects. You should not take this Bleomycin during breastfeeding; inform your doctor if you take Bleomycin. Use the Bleomycin with caution in elderly patients (aged more than 60 years). Inform your doctor if you are being administered oxygen. And also, do not take live vaccines three months after your last chemotherapy.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Bleomycin interacts with other anti-cancer medicines (carmustine, mitomycin, cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, Cisplatin), a medicine for cardiac disorders (acetyldigoxin), a medicine for epilepsy (Phenytoin), a medicine for schizophrenia (Clozapine), antibiotic (Gentamicin, amikacin, and ticarcillin), medicines that reduce the efficacy of immune system (cyclosporine and tacrolimus) and live vaccines (e.g., rubella, mumps, measles, shingles).
Food-Drug Interactions: No food interaction was found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Bleomycin should not be given to patients suffering from kidney or liver impairment, a lung disease, or chickenpox.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Bleomycin. It could lead to avoiding unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeBleomycin should not be used during pregnancy because it causes harm to the fetus (newborn baby). Both women of childbearing potential and men must use an effective contraception method while taking Bleomycin and at least six months afterwards. Please discuss with your doctor any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
unsafeBleomycin should not be taken during breastfeeding as it passes into the breastmilk and may harm the nursing baby. It is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionBleomycin may affect your reactions and your ability to drive. Possible side effects of chemotherapy with Bleomycin may occur, such as nausea and vomiting. If you are affected by these side effects, you should not drive and/or operate machines that require you to be alert.
Liver
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any liver-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Bleomycin. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing them.
Kidney
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any kidney-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Bleomycin. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing them.
Children
unsafeBleomycin should not be used by children, as the efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- 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 in your diet.
- Get optimal sleep; rest well.
- Performing yoga may also help in improving both physical and mental health.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath, or listening to soothing music.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Avoid fast, fried, processed meats, refined carbs, and added sugars.
Special Advise
- Bleomycin should be taken under strict medical supervision. The doctor will regularly monitor your condition while taking Bleomycin.
- Your doctor may get routine blood tests done to monitor your liver function, electrolyte levels, and blood cell count in your blood.
- Avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV light (such as tanning booths) and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Bleomycin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cancer: Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. Some of the body's cells begin to divide into all cancer types without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer can be localized (benign) or spread to the whole body (metastasized).
FAQs
Bleomycin is used to treat cancer of the head and neck, cervix and external genitalia, lymph node cancer, testicular cancer, and fluid accumulation in the lungs (as a result of cancer).
Bleomycin contains 'Bleomycin' is an anti-cancer medication that interferes with the growth of genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This slows the growth of cancer cells and eventually kills them.
Yes, the Bleomycin commonly affects the hair by making it thin, which further causes hair loss. However, it is not very common. Hair reduction possibly happens due to the estrogen-lowering effect of Bleomycin. These effects are not long-lasting and may return after some time. If it matters to you, then inform your doctor for further advice.
Your doctor will decide the number of treatment cycles and the frequency of Bleomycin to be taken, depending on the type and stage of cancer treated.
Bleomycin should not be taken during pregnancy or if you are trying to become pregnant as Bleomycin can cause birth defects, miscarriages, or harm unborn babies. Avoid becoming pregnant for at least six months after stopping the treatment with Bleomycin.
Bleomycin should be used with caution if you have a medical history of liver or kidney diseases, lung diseases (pulmonary fibrosis), alcohol use, suppressed immune system, blood cell/bone marrow disorders, gastrointestinal diseases (peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis), and active infections (including chickenpox).
Yes, Bleomycin may cause pulmonary fibrosis, nausea or hair loss as side effects. However, consult your doctor if you notice these side effects.
Bleomycin can cause pulmonary fibrosis due to its effect on lung tissue. The exact mechanism involves the lack of an enzyme in the lungs that metabolizes bleomycin, leading to the accumulation of the drug in lung tissue. This accumulation can cause oxidative damage and inflammation, resulting in scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue.
The common side effects of Bleomycin are nausea, vomiting, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, itching, tenderness, hair loss, and swelling of the fingertips. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
