Blenoxane

Blenoxane is a prescription medication used to treat various types of cancer. It is also used to treat pleural effusions (a condition when fluid collects in the lungs) that are caused by cancerous tumors. Blenoxane belongs to a group of drugs called antibiotics that are only used in cancer chemotherapy. It slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV), muscle (IM), under the skin, or into the pleural space by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of this medication include skin reactions, hair loss, and sores on the mouth or tongue.

Blenoxane is a prescription medication used to treat

• head and neck cancer (including cancer of the mouth, lip, cheek, tongue, palate, throat, tonsils, and sinuses) 
• cancer of the penis, testicles, cervix, and vulva (the outer part of the vagina)
• Hodgkin's lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease) 
• non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system)
• pleural effusions (a condition when fluid collects in the lungs) that are caused by cancerous tumors

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

The following dose schedule is recommended:

• Squamous cell carcinoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, testicular carcinoma – 0.25 to 0.50 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m²) given into the vein, into the muscle, or under the skin once or twice weekly.
• Hodgkin’s Disease – 0.25 to 0.50 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m²) given into the muscle, or under the skin once or twice weekly. After a certain degree of response, a dose of 1 unit daily or 5 units weekly into the vein or muscle should be given.
• Malignant Pleural Effusion – 60 units given as a single injection directly into the pleural space (the space between the chest wall and the lungs)

It is recommended that Blenoxane 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 Blenoxane.  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.

Blenoxane can cause serious side effects including:

• Blenoxane may cause severe or life-threatening lung problems. Severe lung problems may occur more commonly in older patients and in those receiving higher doses of this medication. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lung disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, fever, or chills.
• Some people who have received Blenoxane for treatment of lymphomas had a severe allergic reaction. This reaction may occur immediately or several hours after the first or second dose of Blenoxane is given. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: difficulty breathing, fever, chills, fainting, dizziness, blurred vision, upset stomach, or confusion.
• Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body's response to Blenoxane.

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to Blenoxane or to any of its ingredients.

Common side effects of Blenoxane include the following:

• redness, blistering, tenderness, or thickening of the skin
• darkened skin color
• rash
• hair loss
• sores on the mouth or tongue
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• weight loss

This is not a complete list of this medication’s side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• cisplatin
• drugs that can decrease kidney function such as
  • acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • aspirin
  • NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen
  • acyclovir
  • aminoglycoside medications
  • certain antibiotics
  • ACEIs such as lisinopril or quinapril
  • statins such as rosuvastatin and simvastatin
  • water pills (diuretic medications)

This is not a complete list of Blenoxane drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category D. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Blenoxane crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Blenoxane.