Bleomycin – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interaction

Bleomycin - Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interaction
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Article Summary

Bleomycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic that is used as an anticancer agent in the therapy of testicular and germ cell cancers, Hodgkin disease, lymphomas, and tumors of the head and neck. Therapy with bleomycin in combination with other agents is often associated with mild-to-moderate serum enzyme elevations but is a rare cause of clinically apparent liver injury. Bleomycin A2 is the primary bleomycin species in bleomycin...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Mechanism of Action in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Indications in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Contraindication in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Dosage in simple medical language.
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Mechanism of Action

Although the exact mechanism of action of bleomycin is unknown, available evidence would seem to indicate that the main mode of action is the inhibition of DNA synthesis with some evidence of lesser inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis. As evident in _in vitro_ studies, the DNA-cleaving actions of bleomycin are dependent on oxygen and metal ions. It is believed that bleomycin chelates metal ions (primarily iron) producing a pseudonym that reacts with oxygen to produce superoxide and hydroxide free radicals that cleave DNA.

or

The cytotoxic action of bleomycin results from its ability to cause fragmentation of DNA. Studies in vitro indicate that bleomycin causes the accumulation of cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle, and many of these cells display chromosomal aberrations, incl chromatid breaks, gaps, and fragments, as well as translocations. Bleomycin appears to cause the scission of DNA by interacting with oxygen and iron(2+). In the presence of oxygen and a reducing agent, such as dithiothreitol, the metallobleomycin complex becomes activated and functions mechanistically as a ferrous oxidase, transferring electrons from iron(2) to molecular oxygen to produce activated species of oxygen. It has also been shown that metallobleomycin complexes can be activated by a reaction with the flavin enzyme, NADPH-cytochrome p450 reductase. Bleomycin binds to DNA through its amino-terminal peptide, and the activated complex generates free radicals that are responsible for the scission of the DNA chain.

Indications

  • For palliative treatment in the management of (, , lung), squamous cell , and lymphomas.
  • , Hodgkins
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
  • , Malignant
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
  • Teratocarcinoma
  • Testicular Choriocarcinoma
  • Testicular Embryonal Carcinoma

Use in Cancer

Bleomycin sulfate is approved to be used alone or with other drugs as palliative treatment of:

Bleomycin sulfate is also approved to treat malignant pleural effusion and keep it from recurring (coming back).

Bleomycin sulfate is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

  • Hypersensitivity to the active component or any of the ingredients
  • a type of of the lung called interstitial pneumonitis
  • a condition where there is a formation of fibrous tissue in the lung called
  • pregnancy
  • a patient who is producing milk and breastfeeding
  • stage 3A (moderate)
  • disease stage 3B (moderate)
  • chronic kidney disease stage 4 ()
  • chronic kidney disease stage 5 (failure)
  • kidney disease with likely reduction in kidney function

Strengths: 15 units; 30 units; 15,000 intl units

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

  • 0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) IV, IM, or subcutaneously 1 to 2 times a week
  • Squamous cell carcinoma sometimes requires 3 weeks before any improvement is noted.
  • When this drug is used in combination with other antineoplastic agents, pulmonary toxicities may occur at lower doses.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

  • 0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) IV, IM, or subcutaneously 1 to 2 times a week
  • Because of the possibility of an anaphylactic reaction, the manufacturer recommends that lymphoma patients be treated with 2 units or less for the first 2 doses. If no reaction occurs, then the regular dosage schedule may be followed.

Testicular Cancer

  • 0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) IV, IM, or subcutaneously 1 to 2 times a weekHodgkin’s Disease
  • 0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) IV, IM, or subcutaneously 1 to 2 times a week; after a 50% response, a maintenance dose of 1 unit daily or 5 units weekly IV or IM should be given

Malignant Pleural Effusion

  • 60 units administered as a single bolus intrapleural injection
  • When this drug is used in combination with other antineoplastic agents, pulmonary toxicities may occur at lower doses.

Dose Adjustments

The manufacturer recommends the following dose adjustments in patients with renal impairment:

  • CrCl 50 mL/minute or greater: No adjustment is recommended.
  • CrCl 40 to 50 mL/minute: Administer 70% of the normal dose.
  • CrCl 30 to 40 mL/minute: Administer 60% of the normal dose.
  • CrCl 20 to 30 mL/minute: Administer 55% of the normal dose.
  • CrCl 10 to 20 mL/minute: Administer 45% of the normal dose.
  • CrCl 5 to 10 mL/minute: Administer 40% of the normal dose.

Side Effects

The Most Common

  • redness, blistering, , or thickening of the skin
  • darkened skin color
  • hair loss
  • sores on the mouth or tongue
  • sudden or weakness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body
  • sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
  • sudden dizziness. loss of balance or coordination
  • sudden severe headache
  • chest pain
  • decreased urination

More Common

  • appetite loss or weight loss
  • changes in fingernails or toenails
  • increased pigmentation of the skin
  • nausea and vomiting
  • skin rash; itching; colored bumps; or peeling of fingertips, elbows, or palms
  • sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, dry cough, tiredness;
  • a light-headed feeling, feeling like you might pass out;
  • loss of appetite, weight loss;
  • sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, problems with vision or speech;
  • blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
  • unusual hardening of your skin; or
  • swelling, numbness, tingling or cold feeling in your fingers.
  • skin redness or tenderness
  • swelling or redness of the hands and feet
  • temporary loss of hair

Rare

  • signs of infection (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
  • signs of kidney problems (e.g., decreased urination, nausea, vomiting, swelling of the feet and ankles)
  • signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
  • signs of lung inflammation (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, noisy breathing, decreased blood pressure)
  • sores in mouth and on lips
  • confusion
  • fever and chills occurring within 4 to 10 hours of dose; may last up to 48 hours
  • signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
  • sudden and severe chest pain
  • wheezing

Drug Interaction

Pregnancy and Lactation

FDA Pregnancy Category D 

Pregnancy

Studies of this medication have not been done with pregnant women. There is a possibility of birth defects if either the father or mother is using bleomycin at the time of conception, or if it is taken during pregnancy. Effective birth control should be practiced while using this medication. Tell the doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using this medication.

Lactation

Most sources consider breastfeeding to be contraindicated during maternal antineoplastic drug therapy. It might be possible to breastfeed safely during intermittent therapy with an appropriate period of breastfeeding abstinence. Although no data are available to determine an appropriate period to withhold breastfeeding, the drug’s terminal half-life of 4 hours with normal kidney function suggests that withholding breastfeeding for at least 24 hours may be sufficient. This period may be longer in patients with impaired kidney function. Chemotherapy may adversely affect the normal microbiome and chemical makeup of breast milk. Women who receive chemotherapy during pregnancy are more likely to have difficulty nursing their infant.

How should this medicine be used?

Bleomycin comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected intravenously (into a vein), intramuscularly (into a muscle), or subcutaneously (under the skin) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital outpatient department. It is usually injected once or twice a week. When bleomycin is used to treat pleural effusions, it is mixed with liquid and placed in the chest cavity through a chest tube (plastic tube that is placed in the chest cavity through a cut in the skin).

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking bleomycin,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bleomycin or any of the ingredients in bleomycin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements, you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or lung disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving bleomycin injections. If you become pregnant while receiving bleomycin, call your doctor. Bleomycin may harm the fetus.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving bleomycin.

References

  1. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Bleomycin
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555895/
  3. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682125.html
  4. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5069/bleomycin-injection/details/list-contraindications
  5. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00290
  6. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/bleomycin.html
  7. https://www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/bleomycin-for-injection-by-pfizer
  8. ChemIDplus Chemical Information Classification
  9. LICENSE
    The code for LOTUS is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0.
  10. NCI Thesaurus Tree
  11. LICENSE
    The Natural Products Atlas is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
  12. IARC Classification
  13. PubChem
  14. Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  15. NCBI

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Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
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Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
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  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
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Avoid these mistakes

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  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

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OTC medicine safety

  • For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
  • Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.
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Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
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Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

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Care roadmap for: Bleomycin – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interaction

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Go to emergency care if you notice:
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  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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