Bleomycin, Injection

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: bleomycin, injection; BLM; Blenoxane

What is this medicine used for?

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

• squamous cell cancer of the head or neck
• Hodgkin's disease
• cancer of the testicles

It 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
• 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 usually given by your healthcare provider. Keep all your appointments for the injections.

Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Be sure you know how and when to have them and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use them only once and dispose of them safely, following your healthcare provider's instructions.

These shots are normally given in the thigh muscle, the upper arms, or the buttocks. Your healthcare provider will determine which muscle sites you can use and the exact dosage of the medicine.

After the powder is mixed for injection it may be kept at room temperature. Give the injection shortly after mixing the powder.

Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:

1. Select an injection site. To lessen irritation, choose a different spot and alternate the side used to give the shot each day.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot. Let the skin dry and avoid touching the area after you clean it.
3. Hold the syringe at a 90° angle to the muscle (straight up and down with the needle pointed toward the muscle).
4. With the other hand, hold the muscle firmly.
5. Insert the needle straight into the skin with a quick, firm motion.
6. Inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger until the syringe is empty.
7. After you have given yourself the medicine, withdraw the needle quickly, at the same angle it was inserted, and press the alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
8. Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.

If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: fever, chills, trouble breathing, persistent cough.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause lung problems. Do not smoke while receiving this medicine. You may need to have chest X-rays and lab tests every 1 to 2 weeks during treatment with this medicine.

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

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

If you need emergency care, surgery, 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 health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care 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).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Sudden weakness or confusion, dizziness, fainting, fever over 101°, chills, wheezing, trouble breathing, sudden chest pains.

Other: Dark patches on skin, skin tenderness or redness, nail changes, hair loss, headache, itching, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, white patches or sores inside mouth or on lips.

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:

• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• live virus vaccines
• other cancer medicines
• phenytoin (Dilantin)

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.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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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.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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