What is this medication for?
Bleomycin belongs to the group of cancer-fighting medicines known as antineoplastics, and specifically to the group of antineoplastics called actinomycins. Another actinomycin is mitomycin. Bleomycin causes the death of cancer cells by interfering with their growth and reproduction. Bleomycin is used alone or in combination with other antineoplastic medications, radiation, and/or surgery for the treatment of many types of cancer. These include cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, some forms of cancerous lung diseases, skin cancer, testicular cancer, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and cancers of the penis and vulva.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Blenoxane® is available as:
- injectable
- 15 units per vial
- 30 units per vial
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended dose and dosing schedule of bleomycin varies according to the specific disease being treated, the response to therapy, and other drugs or treatments being used. The dose administered is also based on body size.
Bleomycin can be injected into a vein, into a muscle, into an artery, under the skin, or into the pleura (lining around the lungs). Your doctor will decide on the best way to inject the medication depending on the type of cancer and its location. Bleomycin is always given under the supervision of your doctor. Very careful handling of this medication is required, which is always done in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.
As well as interfering with the genetic material DNA of cancer cells, bleomycin can interfere with some of your normal cells. This can cause a number of side effects such as mouth sores. Bleomycin may cause nausea and vomiting, but it is important to keep using this medicine even if you feel ill. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can advise you on how to reduce the effects of nausea and vomiting. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor as suggested in the section "What side effects are possible with this medication?"
Who should NOT take this medication?
Bleomycin should not be used by anyone who is allergic to bleomycin or any ingredients of the medication.