Select therapeutic use:

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.