- Gynecologic Cancers
- Head and neck cancer
- Leukemias, lymphomas, and other hematologic cancers
- Prostate and other male cancers
- Respiratory and thoracic cancers
Gynecologic Cancers:
Head and neck cancer:
Indications for: Bleomycin
Palliative treatment for squamous cell carcinoma (head and neck).
Adult Dosage:
0.25–0.5 units/kg IV, IM, or SC weekly or twice weekly. Renal impairment: see literature. Total doses >400 units: increased risk of pulmonary toxicity.
Children Dosage:
Not recommended.
Bleomycin Warnings/Precautions:
Renal impairment. Compromised pulmonary function. Monitor renal function. Elderly. Pregnancy (Cat.D); avoid use. Nursing mothers: not recommended.
Bleomycin Classification:
Cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotic.
Bleomycin Interactions:
May be potentiated by nephrotoxic drugs.
Adverse Reactions:
Erythema, rash, striae, vesiculation, hyperpigmentation, tenderness of the skin, hyperkeratosis, nail changes, alopecia, pruritus, stomatitis; pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, idiosyncratic reaction (hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, wheezing).
Note:
Formerly known under the brand name Blenoxane.
How Supplied:
Contact supplier.
Leukemias, lymphomas, and other hematologic cancers:
Indications for: Bleomycin
Palliative treatment for lymphomas (Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma).
Adult Dosage:
Lymphomas: treat with ≤2 units for the first two doses, if no acute reaction occurs, follow regular dosage schedule. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: 0.25–0.5 units/kg IV, IM, or SC weekly or twice weekly. Hodgkin's disease: 0.25–0.5 units/kg IV, IM, or SC weekly or twice weekly; after a 50% response, a maintenance dose of 1 unit daily or 5 units weekly IV or IM should be given. Renal impairment: see literature. Total doses >400 units: increased risk of pulmonary toxicity.
Children Dosage:
Not recommended.
Bleomycin Warnings/Precautions:
Renal impairment. Compromised pulmonary function. Monitor renal function. Elderly. Pregnancy (Cat.D); avoid use. Nursing mothers: not recommended.
Bleomycin Classification:
Cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotic.
Bleomycin Interactions:
May be potentiated by nephrotoxic drugs.
Adverse Reactions:
Erythema, rash, striae, vesiculation, hyperpigmentation, tenderness of the skin, hyperkeratosis, nail changes, alopecia, pruritus, stomatitis; pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, idiosyncratic reaction (hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, wheezing).
Note:
Formerly known under the brand name Blenoxane.
How Supplied:
Contact supplier.
Prostate and other male cancers:
Indications for: Bleomycin
Palliative treatment for squamous cell carcinoma (penis), testicular carcinoma (embryonal cell, choriocarcinoma, teratocarcinoma).
Adult Dosage:
0.25–0.5 units/kg IV, IM, or SC weekly or twice weekly. Renal impairment: see literature. Total doses >400 units: increased risk of pulmonary toxicity.
Children Dosage:
Not recommended.
Bleomycin Warnings/Precautions:
Renal impairment. Compromised pulmonary function. Monitor renal function. Elderly. Pregnancy (Cat.D); avoid use. Nursing mothers: not recommended.
Bleomycin Classification:
Cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotic.
Bleomycin Interactions:
May be potentiated by nephrotoxic drugs.
Adverse Reactions:
Erythema, rash, striae, vesiculation, hyperpigmentation, tenderness of the skin, hyperkeratosis, nail changes, alopecia, pruritus, stomatitis; pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, idiosyncratic reaction (hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, wheezing).
Note:
Formerly known under the brand name Blenoxane.
How Supplied:
Contact supplier.
Respiratory and thoracic cancers:
Indications for: Bleomycin
Sclerosing agent for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion and prevention of recurrent pleural effusions.
Adult Dosage:
60 units as a single dose bolus intrapleural injection. Renal impairment: see literature.
Children Dosage:
Not recommended.
Bleomycin Warnings/Precautions:
Renal impairment. Compromised pulmonary function. Monitor renal function. Elderly. Pregnancy (Cat.D); avoid use. Nursing mothers: not recommended.
Bleomycin Classification:
Cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotic.
Bleomycin Interactions:
May be potentiated by nephrotoxic drugs.
Adverse Reactions:
Erythema, rash, striae, vesiculation, hyperpigmentation, tenderness of the skin, hyperkeratosis, nail changes, alopecia, pruritus, stomatitis; pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, idiosyncratic reaction (hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, wheezing).
How Supplied:
Contact supplier.
