Description of the medicine: Bleomycin (Bleomycinum)

BLOOMYCIN (Bleomycinum).

Antitumor antibiotic, product of vital activity of fungus Str. Verticillus. Water-soluble polypeptide.

Synonyms: Blanoxan, Blenoxane, Bleocin, Bleocamicina.

Bleomycin is one of the representatives of a group of structurally similar natural compounds with antitumor activity (bleomycin A2, B2, etc.). The mechanism of their cytotoxic action is associated with the ability to induce fragmentation of DNA molecules. Bleomycin has the ability to accumulate, (with parenteral administration) in the skin, and therefore it is particularly effective in skin cancer, as well as mucous membranes. He relatively less inhibits bone marrow hematopoiesis. Does not have a significant immunosuppressive effect.

Applied mainly in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, esophagus, as well as with penile cancer, teratoblastoma of the testicle and ovaries and lymphogranulomatosis.

The drug is more effective in the early stages. With the metastasis of malignant tumors, no therapeutic effect was observed. In cancer of the esophagus it is recommended in combination with radiation therapy, with teratoblastome - in combination with vinblastine or other antitumor drugs.

Enter intravenously or intramuscularly. For intravenous injections, dilute the drug in 20 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution, inject slowly (no faster than for 5 minutes). For intramuscular injections dilute in 5 - 10 ml isotonic sodium chloride solution; When painful, first 1 - 2 ml of 1 - 2% solution of novocaine is administered.

Adults are usually administered at a dose of 15 mg (0.015 g) every other day or 30 mg twice a week. The course dose should not exceed 5 - 6 mg / kg (usually up to 300 mg). Repeated courses should be done with caution, reducing the single and the course dose. The interval between the courses is 1, 5 - 2 months. Sometimes prescribe a maintenance dose of the drug - 15 mg 1 time in 7 - 10 days.

The elderly are given the drug in a smaller dose (15 mg twice a week). Children should be prescribed with caution, reducing the dose in accordance with body weight.

When using bleomycin, various side effects can be observed. On the day of administration, sometimes the body temperature rises, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, vulvitis, alopecia are possible. Often observed changes in the skin: focal hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation, dermatitis. Hyperesthesia of distal (nail) phalanges, redness of fingertips, fragility of nails can also be noted. Usually these phenomena develop by the end of the course of treatment, proceed benignly and do not require cessation of treatment. A distant side effect may be pneumonia. In the course of treatment with bleomycin and after 3 to 4 weeks after the end of treatment, it is necessary to perform an X-ray examination of the chest. In case of detection of signs of pneumonia during treatment, treatment is discontinued.

For injections, freshly prepared solutions are used.