Blenoxane Side Effects

Generic name: bleomycin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 24, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Blenoxane Side Effects associated with bleomycin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Blenoxane.

Applies to bleomycin: injection powder for solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Injection route (powder for solution)

Pulmonary fibrosis is the most severe toxicity for bleomycin and its most frequent presentation is pneumonitis occasionally progressing to pulmonary fibrosis.

Its occurrence is higher in elderly patients and in those receiving greater than 400 units total dose, but pulmonary toxicity has been observed in young patients and those treated with low doses.

A severe idiosyncratic reaction consisting of hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, and wheezing has been reported in lymphoma patients treated with bleomycin.

Serious side effects of Blenoxane

Along with its needed effects, bleomycin (the active ingredient contained in Blenoxane) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking bleomycin:

More common side effects

• fever and chills (occurring within 3 to 6 hours after a dose)
• cough
• shortness of breath
• sores in mouth and on lips

Less common side effects

• confusion
• faintness
• wheezing

Rare side effects

• chest pain (sudden severe)
• weakness in arms or legs (sudden)

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking bleomycin:

Other side effects of Blenoxane

Some side effects of bleomycin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• darkening or thickening of skin
• dark stripes on skin
• itching of skin
• skin rash or colored bumps on fingertips, elbows, or palms
• skin redness or tenderness
• swelling of fingers
• vomiting and loss of appetite

Less common side effects

• changes in fingernails or toenails
• weight loss

Bleomycin may cause a temporary loss of hair in some people. After treatment has ended, normal hair growth should return, although it may take several months.

Side effects that affect your lungs (for example, cough and shortness of breath) may be more likely to occur if you smoke.

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, Check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

• cough
• shortness of breath

For healthcare professionals

Applies to bleomycin: injectable powder for injection.

Respiratory adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Interstitial pneumonia (10%), pulmonary fibrosis (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Wheezing^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Sclerosis of the skin (41%), pigmentation disorder (41%), alopecia (30%), nail deformation (11%), nail discoloration, skin hypertrophy, flagellate dermatitis
• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis^[Ref]

Skin toxicity is a relatively late manifestation, usually developing in the 2nd and 3rd week of treatment, after a cumulative dose of 150 to 200 units.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (15%), vomiting (15%), stomatitis (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Angular cheilitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Shock, vein wall hypertrophy, venous stenosis
• Frequency not reported: Myocardial infarction, hypotension, Raynaud's phenomenon, embolism, thrombosis, peripheral ischemia, cerebral infarction, chest pain^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fever/pyrexia (40%), malaise (16%)^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site induration
• Frequency not reported: Injection site thrombosis (IV), injection site pain^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tumor pain^[Ref]

The most frequent mutations produced in mammalian cells are large multilocus deletions, which probably arise by misrepair of (DNA) double strand breaks.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hemorrhage
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Leucopenia
• Frequency not reported: Pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia

Postmarketing reports:

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Sepsis

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Scleroderma, chills

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (29%), weight loss (29%)

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Mental confusion

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Oliguria, dysuria, pollakiuria, urinary retention, polyuria, feeling of residual urine

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatocellular injury

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Rigors (40%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness

Further information

Blenoxane side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer