Bleomycin Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.

• If you are 75 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have had radiation therapy, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you are a heavy smoker, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Skin irritation.

• Fever.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Mouth irritation. Frequent mouth care with a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing mouth may help.

• Weight loss.

• Not hungry.

• Lung damage can occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Persistent cough.

• Severe mouth irritation.

• Severe skin irritation.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Unable to pass urine.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.