Skip navigation

Bendamustine Injection

(ben" da mus' teen)

Why is this medication prescribed?   Return to top

Bendamustine is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; a type of cancer of the white blood cells). Bendamustine is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by killing existing cancer cells and limiting the growth of new cancer cells.

How should this medicine be used?   Return to top

Bendamustine comes as a powder to be added to fluid and injected over 30 minutes intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital outpatient clinic. It is usually injected once a day for 2 days. This treatment period is called a cycle, and the cycle may be repeated every 28 days for as long as 6 cycles.

Your doctor may need to delay your treatment and adjust your dose if you experience certain side effects. Your doctor may also give you other medication(s) to prevent or treat certain side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with bendamustine.

Other uses for this medicine   Return to top

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

What special precautions should I follow?   Return to top

Before taking bendamustine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bendamustine, mannitol, or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: cimetidine (Tagamet); fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and ofloxacin (Floxin); fluvoxamine (Luvox); omeprazole (Prilosec); ticlopidine (Ticlid). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you plan to father a child. You or your partner should not become pregnant while you are using bendamustine. You should use birth control to prevent pregnancy in yourself or your partner during your treatment with bendamustine and for 3 months afterwards. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you or your partner becomes pregnant while using bendamustine, call your doctor. Bendamustine can harm the fetus.
• tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
• you should know that bendamustine may make you tired. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?   Return to top

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?   Return to top

Call your doctor right away if you are unable to keep an appointment to receive a dose of bendamustine.

What side effects can this medication cause?   Return to top

Bendamustine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• tiredness
• itching
• weight loss
• headache
• shortness of breath
• fast heartbeat
• dizziness
• pale skin
• confusion

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• hives
• rash
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face
• excessive tiredness or weakness
• fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Bendamustine may cause infertility in some men. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.

Bendamustine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

In case of emergency/overdose   Return to top

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• drowsiness
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• problems with coordination
• seizures
• difficulty breathing
• rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat

What other information should I know?   Return to top

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to bendamustine.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names   Return to top

Last Revised - 06/01/2008

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer

AHFS^® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2008. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Home | Health Topics | Drugs & Supplements | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources
Disclaimers | Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Quality Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services	Page last updated: 09 September 2008