Treanda

Generic Name: bendamustine (BEN da MUS teen)

Brand Names: Treanda

What is bendamustine?

Bendamustine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Bendamustine is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Bendamustine is also used to treat indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of this condition.

Bendamustine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about bendamustine?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to bendamustine or mannitol (Osmitrol). Do not receive bendamustine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Before you receive bendamustine, tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system, fever or other signs of infection, a metabolic disorder or electrolyte imbalance, liver or kidney disease, or if you smoke.

Tell your caregiver right away if you have a fever, chills, itching, or skin rash during or shortly after the injection.

Other serious side effects to tell your doctor about include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, feeling short of breath, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, severe skin rash, weak pulse, muscle weakness, fast or slow heart rate, confusion, lower back pain, blood in your urine, urinating less than usual, or swelling, redness, or signs of where the medicine was injected.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive bendamustine?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to bendamustine or mannitol (Osmitrol).

To make sure you can safely receive bendamustine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  a weak immune system;

  
  


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  fever or other signs of infection;

  
  


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  a metabolic disorder or electrolyte imbalance;

  
  


• liver disease;


• kidney disease; or


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  if you smoke.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not receive bendamustine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether bendamustine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Some people receiving bendamustine have developed certain types of cancers. It is not known whether this medication causes cancer. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using bendamustine.

How is bendamustine given?

Bendamustine is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Bendamustine must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take at least 30 minutes to complete.

Bendamustine is usually given for 2 days in a row every 21 to 28 days. You may receive up to 8 treatments total, depending on the condition being treated. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You may be given other medications to help prevent certain side effects of bendamustine.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when the medicine is injected.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your bendamustine injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, tremors, slow or shallow breathing, loss of balance or coordination, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while receiving bendamustine?

Bendamustine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Bendamustine side effects

Some people receiving a bendamustine injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you have fever, chills, itching, or skin rash during or shortly after the injection. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;

  
  


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  pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

  
  


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  easy bruising or bleeding, purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin, unusual weakness;

  
  


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  cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat;

  
  


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  lower back pain, blood in your urine, urinating less than usual or not at all;

  
  


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  numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth;

  
  


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  muscle weakness, tightness, or contraction, overactive reflexes;

  
  


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  fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, confusion;

  
  


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  dry mouth, feeling very thirsty or hot, heavy sweating or hot and dry skin;

  
  


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  severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or

  
  


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  pain, swelling, redness, skin changes, or signs of infection where the medicine was injected.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach;

  
  


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  swelling in your hands or feet;

  
  


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  headache, dizziness, drowsiness;

  
  


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  loss of appetite, weight loss; or

  
  


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  mild skin rash.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect bendamustine?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

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  allopurinol (Zyloprim);

  
  


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  carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol);

  
  


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  cimetidine (Tagamet);

  
  


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  ciprofloxacin (Cipro);

  
  


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  fluvoxamine (Luvox);

  
  


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  omeprazole (Prilosec);

  
  


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  thiabendazole (Mintezol); or

  
  


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  a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), phenobarbital (Solfoton), and others.

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with bendamustine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Treanda resources

• Treanda Side Effects (in more detail)
• Treanda Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Treanda Drug Interactions
• Treanda Support Group
• 1 Review for Treanda - Add your own review/rating

• Treanda Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Treanda Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Treanda MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Treanda Consumer Overview

Compare Treanda with other medications

• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about bendamustine.

See also: Treanda side effects (in more detail)