Bleomycin

This is a mixture of closely related antitumour antibiotics. It chelates copper or iron, intercalates between DNA strands-causes chain scission and inhibits repair.

Indications

Testicular tumour, squamous cell carcinoma of skin, head & neck, genito-urinary tract & oesophagus, Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Malignancy o lungs & cervix.

Dosage

30 mg twice weekly in average cases, otherwise dose can be varied between 15 mg daily to 15 mg weekly. Total dose: 300-400 mg.

Contra-Indications

Dot mix glutathione with bleomycin. Pre-existing lung diseases.

Special Precautions

Paediatrics: Safety not established. Pregnancy: Should not be used. Lactation: Should not be used. Elderly: Dose adjustment is necessary.

Side Effects

Mucocutaneous toxicity, pulmonary fibrosis.Dermatitis.Nephrotoxicity.Hepatic toxicity.

Drug Interactions

Cisplatin enhances the pulmonary toxicity, nephrotoxic agents increases the nephrotoxicity.