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Black Box Warning
ConditionName:
See full prescribing information for complete Boxed Warning.
ConditionName:
It is recommended that Bleomycin for Injection, USP be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Appropriate management of therapy and complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available.
Pulmonary fibrosis is the most severe toxicity associated with bleomycin. The 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 approximately 1% of lymphoma patients treated with bleomycin.
Overview
Bleomycin is a antibiotic, antineoplasic agent that is FDA approved for the treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Testicular Carcinoma, Malignant Pleural Effusion. There is a Black Box Warning for this drug as shown here. Common adverse reactions include pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, rash, hyperpigmentation of skin.
Adult Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)
Indications
Bleomycin for Injection, USP should be considered a palliative treatment. It has been shown to be useful in the management of the following neoplasms either as a single agent or in proven combinations with other approved chemotherapeutic agents:
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Head and neck (including mouth, tongue, tonsil, nasopharynx, oropharynx, sinus, palate, lip, buccal mucosa, gingivae, epiglottis, skin, larynx), penis, cervix, and vulva. The response to Bleomycin for Injection is poorer in patients with previously irradiated head and neck cancer.
Embryonal cell, choriocarcinoma, and teratocarcinoma
Bleomycin for Injection, USP has also been shown to be useful in the management of:
Malignant Pleural Effusion
Bleomycin for Injection is effective as a sclerosing agent for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion and prevention of recurrent pleural effusions.
Dosage
Because of the possibility of an anaphylactoid reaction, lymphoma patients should be treated with 2 units or less for the first 2 doses. If no acute reaction occurs, then the regular dosage schedule may be followed.
0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) given intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously weekly or twice weekly.
Hodgkin’s Disease
0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) given intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously weekly or twice weekly. After a 50% response, a maintenance dose of 1 unit daily or 5 units weekly intravenously or intramuscularly should be given.
Pulmonary toxicity of Bleomycin for Injection, USP appears to be dose-related with a striking increase when the total dose is over 400 units. Total doses over 400 units should be given with great caution.
When Bleomycin for Injection, USP is used in combination with other antineoplastic agents, pulmonary toxicities may occur at lower doses.
Improvement of Hodgkin’s disease and testicular tumors is prompt and noted within 2 weeks. If no improvement is seen by this time, improvement is unlikely. Squamous cell cancers respond more slowly, sometimes requiring as long as 3 weeks before any improvement is noted.
Malignant Pleural Effusion
60 units administered as a single dose bolus intrapleural injection
Use in Patients with Renal Insufficiency
The following dosing reductions are proposed for patients with creatinine clearance (CrCL) values of less than 50 mL/min:
CrCL can be estimated from the individual patient’s measured serum creatinine (Scr) values using the Cockcroft and Gault formula:
Males CrCL = [weight x (140 – Age)]/(72 x Scr)
Females CrCL = 0.85 x [weight x (140 – Age)]/(72 x Scr)
Where CrCL in mL/min/1.73m2, weight in kg, age in years, and Scr in mg/dL.
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)
Guideline-Supported Use
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Developed by:
Class of Recommendation:
Strength of Evidence:
Dosing Information
Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Bleomycin in adult patients.
There is limited information regarding FDA-Labeled Use of Bleomycin in pediatric patients.
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)
Guideline-Supported Use
Condition1
Developed by:
Class of Recommendation:
Strength of Evidence:
Dosing Information
Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Bleomycin in pediatric patients.
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
Condition1
Dosing Information
Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Bleomycin in pediatric patients.
Contraindications
Condition1
Warnings
ConditionName:
See full prescribing information for complete Boxed Warning.
ConditionName:
It is recommended that Bleomycin for Injection, USP be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Appropriate management of therapy and complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available.
Pulmonary fibrosis is the most severe toxicity associated with bleomycin. The 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 approximately 1% of lymphoma patients treated with bleomycin.
Description
Precautions
Description
Adverse Reactions
Clinical Trials Experience
There is limited information regarding Clinical Trial Experience of Bleomycin in the drug label.
Body as a Whole
Cardiovascular
Digestive
Endocrine
Hematologic and Lymphatic
Metabolic and Nutritional
Musculoskeletal
Neurologic
Respiratory
Skin and Hypersensitivy Reactions
Special Senses
Urogenital
Miscellaneous
Postmarketing Experience
There is limited information regarding Postmarketing Experience of Bleomycin in the drug label.