bleomycin sulfate at a glance
Medicine class
Cytotoxic antibiotic chemotherapy
Usual roles
Selected squamous-cell cancers, lymphomas, testicular cancer and malignant pleural effusions
Administration
Given by specialist staff using injection, infusion or an intrapleural route; it is not taken by mouth
Key safety issue
New cough or breathlessness needs prompt assessment because bleomycin can inflame or scar lung tissue
What is bleomycin sulfate used for?
Licensed uses represented by the selected product include:
Squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck, cervix or external genitalia
Hodgkin lymphoma
Intermediate- or high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults
Testicular carcinoma, including seminoma and non-seminoma
Intrapleural treatment of malignant pleural effusions
Non-licensed use in specialist centres: intralesional sclerotherapy for selected vascular or lymphatic malformations
How does bleomycin sulfate work?
Bleomycin binds to DNA and, with iron and oxygen, generates reactive molecules that break DNA strands, restricting DNA synthesis and cell division. Low activity of the enzyme that inactivates bleomycin in the lungs and skin helps explain toxicity in these tissues.
bleomycin sulfate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 15000 units
How to take bleomycin sulfate
Trained hospital staff prepare and administer bleomycin. Depending on its purpose, it may be given into a vein, artery, muscle, under the skin, directly into a tumour or into the space around a lung. Tell the team about all medicines, previous lung treatment and any planned operation or oxygen use.
Attend planned hospital appointments and monitoring.
Do not prepare or administer bleomycin yourself.
Tell doctors, dentists and anaesthetists about previous bleomycin treatment.
bleomycin sulfate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Skin redness, itching, thickening, darkening, tenderness or blistering
- Sore or inflamed mouth and other mucosal irritation
- Fever, chills or feeling unwell
- Loss of appetite or weight
- Nausea or vomiting
- Hair or nail changes
Get urgent medical advice
- New or worsening cough, breathlessness or crackling breathing, which may indicate lung inflammation or fibrosis
- Sudden wheeze, widespread rash, facial swelling, low blood pressure or collapse from severe hypersensitivity
- Severe or sudden breathing difficulty, chest pain or coughing blood
- Painful, cold or discoloured fingers or toes suggesting impaired circulation
bleomycin sulfate in pregnancy
Bleomycin crosses the placenta and may harm an embryo or fetus. Product information advises avoiding it during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, unless strictly necessary. Discuss pregnancy, contraception, fertility preservation and future pregnancy plans with the specialist team.
bleomycin sulfate while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated during treatment because transfer into milk is unknown and serious harm to the infant is possible. Discuss feeding plans with the oncology and maternity teams.
bleomycin sulfate interactions
The specialist team should review all prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary products. Important interactions include:
Cisplatin and other nephrotoxic medicines
Reduced renal clearance can increase bleomycin exposure and pulmonary toxicity.
Other medicines with pulmonary toxicity
Carmustine, mitomycin, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate or gemcitabine may add to lung-injury risk.
Thoracic radiotherapy
Previous or concurrent treatment can increase pulmonary toxicity.
Common questions about bleomycin sulfate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can lung problems start after treatment ends?
Yes. Pulmonary toxicity may appear during treatment or afterwards, so report new cough or breathlessness promptly.
Why must an anaesthetist know about previous treatment?
Bleomycin can sensitise lung tissue to high oxygen concentrations. Anaesthetic and surgical teams need the treatment history to assess pulmonary risk and manage care appropriately.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.