Bleomycin is a drug to treat squamous cell carcinoma, cancer gland lymph nodes (lymphoma), or pleural effusion due to cancer. This medicine will be given in the hospital directly by a doctor or medical personnel under the supervision of a doctor.
Bleomycin is a type of antibiotic that has an antitumor effect, so it is used to treat cancer. Bleomycin will work by forming free radicals that can damage the DNA of cancer cells. Thus, the spread of cancer cells in the body can be inhibited.
Bleomycin trademark: Bleocin
What is Bleomycin
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Anti cancer |
| Benefit | Treating squamous cell carcinoma, lymphoma, or pleural effusion due to cancer |
| Used by | Mature |
| Bleomycin for pregnant and lactating women | Category D: There is positive evidence of risks to the human fetus, but the benefits may outweigh the risks, for example in dealing with life-threatening situations. Bleomycin is not known to be absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Inject |
Warnings Before Using Bleomycin
There are several things you should pay attention to before using bleomycin, including:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Bleomycin should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had lung disease, bone marrow disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
- Tell your doctor if you plan to have any surgery or medical procedures while you are taking bleomycin.
- Talk to your doctor about using bleomycin in the elderly over the age of 50, because it can increase the risk of side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications, supplements, herbal products, or are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy. Use effective contraception while on treatment with bleomycin.
- Report to your doctor if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effects, or overdose after taking bleomycin.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Bleomycin
The dose of bleomycin given by the doctor depends on the patient's health condition and body response. In general, the dose of bleomycin for adults based on the condition to be treated is as follows:
- Condition: Squamous cell carcinoma, testicular cancer
Dosage 15,000 IU, 3 times weekly, or 30,000 IU, 2 times weekly. Repeat doses are given at intervals of 3-4 weeks. The total cumulative dose during administration was 360,000 IU.
- Condition: Lymphoma
The dose is 15,000 IU, 1-2 times a week, for a total dose of 225,000 IU. The drug will be given by injection into the muscle (intramuscular / IM).
- Condition: Pleural effusion
A dose of 60,000 IU dissolved in 100 mL of 0.9% NaCl to a total dose of 360,000 IU. The drug will be given through a tube directly into the pleural cavity (chest tube).
How to Use Bleomycin Correctly
Bleomycin injection will be given in the hospital. The injection will be directly carried out by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor.
The doctor will also monitor breathing, blood pressure, kidney function, and liver function during the injection and while the patient is on therapy with bleomycin.
If used to treat pleural effusion, bleomycin is given via chest tube or a tube inserted directly into the pleural cavity.
While undergoing treatment with bleomycin, the doctor will monitor the condition of the lungs through chest X-rays or pulmonary function tests. This action is done to ensure the drug does not have a harmful impact on the lungs.
Bleomycin Interactions with Other Drugs
The following are some of the effects of interactions that may occur when bleomycin is used with other medicines:
- Increased risk of agranulocytosis when used with clozapine
- Increased risk of developing Raynaud's syndrome when used with vinca alkaloids
- Increased risk of developing blood clots when used with thalidomide
- Increased risk of fatal and dangerous infections when used with etanercept
- Decreased absorption of the drug phenytoin
- Decreased effectiveness of live vaccines, such as BCG vaccine or measles vaccine
- Increased risk of lung damage if used with cisplatin, bretuximab, oxygen therapy, or if therapy is concurrent with radiotherapy
Bleomycin Side Effects and Dangers
Tell your doctor or medical officer if the following side effects do not subside or get worse:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Thrush or sores in the mouth or tongue
- Skin color that turns darker
- Fever or not feeling well
- Red, itchy, or swollen, at the injection site
In addition, report to your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to the drug or experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Heart palpitations or fast heart rate
- Tingling or numbness
- Easy bruising, pale, coughing up blood, vomiting black
- Stomach pain, dark urine, jaundice, severe nausea and vomiting
- Infrequent urination or very little urine
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Weak on one side of the body
The use of bleomycin can also increase the risk of developing lung disease which can be dangerous and life-threatening. You should immediately report to your doctor or medical officer on duty if you experience certain symptoms, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or wheezing.
