• Squamous cell carcinoma
    • IV/IM/SC 0.25-0.5 unit/kg (10 to 20 unit/m²) every 1-2 weeks
    • Max: cumulative dose 400 units
    • For head/neck, penis, cervix or vulvar CA
  • Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
    • IV/IM/SC 0.25 to 0.5unit/kg (10 to 20 unit/m²) every 1-2 weeks
    • Reduce to maintenance dose of 1 unit OD or 5 units every week IV/IM after 50% response
      • Administer test dose of 1-2 units of bleomycin before first 1-2 doses
      • Monitor vital signs every 15min
      • Wait 1 hour minimum before administering remainder of dose
      • If no acute reaction observe, may administer regular dosage schedule
  • Testicular carcinoma:
    • IV/IM/SC 0.25-0.5unit/kg (10 to 20 unit/m²) every 1-2 weeks
    • cumulative dose 400 units
  • Malignant pleural effusion:
    • 60 units in 50-100mL of NS as single instillation
    • May repeat dose at intervals of several days if fluid continues to accumulate
    • May add lidocaine 100-200mg to reduce local discomfort

Injection: 15 units

IV may be irritant therefore administer by slow injection over 10 min

Glycopeptide antibiotic, anticancer

The exact mechanism of action unknown but it is thought to inhibit DNA synthesis, lesser inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis.

It is a sclerosing agent when used intrapleurally

  • Erythema
  • Rash
  • Striae
  • Vesiculation
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Skin tenderness
  • Hyperkeratosis
  • Nail changes
  • Alopecia
  • Pruritus
  • Stomatitis
  • Scleroderma
  • Pneumonitis
  • Fever
  • Rigors
  • Vomiting
  • Anorexia
  • Weight loss
  • Malaise
  • Local pain (intrapleural use)
  • Tumor site pain
  • Phlebitis
  • Hypersensitivity to drug/class/components
  • Idiosyncratic reaction history to bleomycin
  • Pregnancy (1st trimester)
  • Breastfeeding during treatment and for at least 24 hours after discontinuation
  • Brentuximab

                          Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Category D
Breastfeeding Contraindicated
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND NAME STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
Bemocin 15 units Injection 1’s Fresenius Kabi Oncology Nairobi Enterprises
Bleochem 15 units Injection 1’s Zydus Healthcare Sai Pharma
Bleocip 15 units Injection 1’s Cipla Ltd Imperial Managed
Bleomycin 15 units Injection 1’s Khandelwal Labs PSM Pharma
Bleon 15 IU Injection 1's PSM Pharma PSM Pharma