Bleomycin is a chemotherapy medicine. You may get it to treat certain cancers or to help stop fluid from building up around your lungs. You receive bleomycin from a healthcare professional.
Brand Name(s)
- Blenoxane (brand name; may be discontinued in some markets)
- Generic name: bleomycin
Warning(s)
- Severe lung problems can happen with bleomycin. Rarely, these can be deadly. The risk may be higher if you are older or if your total lifetime dose goes above 400 units. Lung problems can also happen in younger people and at lower doses. Call your doctor right away if you have shortness of breath, new or worse cough, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
- People with lymphoma can have a severe reaction during or within several hours of a dose. This is most common after the first or second dose. Call your doctor right away if you have severe dizziness, fainting, confusion, fever, chills, wheezing, or trouble breathing.
- Let all your healthcare providers know you receive bleomycin, including dentists and surgeons. If you are having surgery or anesthesia, tell your team. Oxygen levels during procedures may need special care.
- Bleomycin can harm an unborn baby. If you could become pregnant, use effective birth control while on this drug. If you become pregnant, call your doctor right away.
- Do not breastfeed while receiving bleomycin.
- This drug may interact with other medicines and health conditions. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products.
- You may need regular blood tests and lung function tests while on this medicine. Go to all scheduled appointments.
- If you are 70 years or older, you may have a higher chance of side effects. Report new symptoms promptly.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Testicular germ cell tumors
- Squamous cell cancers of the head and neck
- Some cancers of the cervix, vulva, or penis
- Skin squamous cell carcinoma (selected cases)
- To help stop fluid buildup around the lungs (malignant pleural effusion) by placing the drug into the lung cavity (pleurodesis)
Your care team chooses bleomycin based on the type of cancer, your overall health, and your treatment plan. It may be given alone or with other chemotherapy drugs.
Mechanism of Action
Bleomycin is an antitumor antibiotic. It attaches to DNA inside cells and causes breaks in the DNA strands. This stops cancer cells from growing and dividing, which can lead to cell death.
- Bleomycin makes small, highly reactive molecules (free radicals) that damage DNA.
- Normal tissues in the lungs and skin break down bleomycin more slowly, which is why side effects can show up in these areas.
You receive bleomycin through a vein, a shot under the skin, into a muscle, or into the space around the lungs, depending on the reason you are getting it. Your team will monitor you during and after treatment.
Common Side Effects
Many side effects are manageable and often improve after treatment ends. Tell your care team about side effects that bother you or do not go away.
- Skin changes, including rash, redness, itching, thickening, or peeling
- Changes in skin color or dark streaks (hyperpigmentation)
- Changes in fingernails or toenails
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Feeling tired or weak
- Fever or chills, especially soon after a dose
- Irritation or pain where the drug was given
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious problem, including:
- Shortness of breath, cough that does not go away, chest pain, or wheezing
- Severe dizziness, fainting, or confusion
- Signs of an allergic reaction: rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing or swallowing; or unusual hoarseness
- Signs of liver problems: dark urine, tiredness, loss of appetite, upset stomach, stomach pain, light-colored stools, or yellow skin or eyes
- Signs of kidney problems: not urinating, changes in how much you urinate, blood in the urine, or sudden weight gain
- Severe irritation where the drug was used
Tips for staying safe while on bleomycin:
- Keep a list of all your medicines and share it with your care team at every visit.
- Report new breathing symptoms right away.
- Use gentle mouth care to reduce mouth sores. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes.
- Protect your skin from sun and harsh products. Moisturize as advised by your care team.
- Ask about vaccines before getting them. Some vaccines may not be recommended during chemotherapy.
Learn more: MedlinePlus: Bleomycin injection
Last reviewed: 2025-12-15
