Bleomycin Injection 15 & 30

Bleomycin for Injection, USP is a mixture of cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotics isolated from a strain of Streptomyces verticillus and is freely soluble in water. It is available as a lyophilized powder for intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous injection. Each vial contains sterile bleomycin sulfate equivalent to 15 units or 30 units of bleomycin. Sulfuric acid or Sodium hydroxide used, if necessary to adjust the pH.

Bleomycin for Injection has been shown to be useful in the management of Squamous Cell Carcinoma ,Lymphomas and Testicular Carcinoma.

It is manufactured & exported by many Indian manufacturers including brands like Cipla, Cadila, Klab, Neon etc.

Intramuscular or Subcutaneous:The bleomycin for injection, USP 15 units vial should be reconstituted and dissolved with 1 to 5 mL of sterile water for injection, USP, sodium chloride injection, 0.9%, USP, or bacteriostatic water for injection, USP. The bleomycin for injection, USP 30 units vial should be reconstituted and dissolved with 2 to 10 mL of the above diluents.
Intravenous: The contents of the 15 units or 30 units vial should be dissolved in 5 mL or more or 10 mL or more, respectively of sodium chloride injection, 0.9%, USP, and administered slowly over a period of 10 minutes

Pulmonary toxicities occur in 10% of treated patients. In approximately 1%, the nonspecific pneumonitis induced by bleomycin progresses to pulmonary fibrosis, and death. Although this is age and dose related, the toxicity is unpredictable. Frequent roentgenograms are recommended.

A severe idiosyncratic reaction (similar to anaphylaxis) consisting of hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, and wheezing has been reported in approximately 1% of lymphoma patients treated with bleomycin. Since these reactions usually occur after the first or second dose, careful monitoring is essential after these doses .

Renal or hepatic toxicity, beginning as a deterioration in renal or liver function tests, have been reported, infrequently. These toxicities may occur, however, at any time after initiation of therapy.