ABOUT BENDIT
Bendit is an anti-cancer (“antineoplastic” or
“cytotoxic”) chemotherapy drug. It is classified as an alkylating
agent. Alkylating agents are most active in the resting phase of the
cell-cycle. It is a nitrogen mustard derivative and is active against resting
as well as dividing cells.
BENDIT USES:
Bendamustine is used for treatment of chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL) i.e. cancer of white blood cells in bone marrow. It is also used
for the treatment of patients with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
It works by
destroying the DNA, thus killing the existing cancer cells and also preventing
the growth and spread of new cancer cells.
BENDAMUSTINE SIDE
EFFECTS:
Consult your Doctor if you suffer from these side effects:
·
Fever, cough, mouth
sores; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; a headache, tiredness,
dizziness, drowsiness; swelling in your hands or feet; loss of appetite, weight
loss; or mild skin rash.
·
Severe ongoing
nausea, Vomiting, or diarrhea; Feeling very weak or tired; a cough with yellow
or green mucus, Stabbing chest pain, Wheezing, Feeling short of breath; Pain,
swelling, Redness, Skin changes or signs of infection where the medicine was
injected.
·
Low blood cell
counts–fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, swollen gums, mouth sores, skin
sores, rapid heart rate, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling
light-headed.
·
Signs of tumor cell
breakdown–lower back pain, blood in your urine, little or no urination;
numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth; muscle weakness or tightness;
fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, confusion, fainting.
·
Dehydrations
symptoms–feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating,
or hot and dry skin.
·
Low potassium–leg
cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, extreme
thirst, increased urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp
feeling.
·
Severe skin reaction–swelling
in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or
purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes
blistering and peeling.
Bendit Bendamustine
Injection Precautions:
·
Before using
Bendamustine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if
you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients
(such as mannitol), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk
to your pharmacist for more details.
·
Before using this
medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
blood/bone marrow disorders, kidney problems, liver problems, recent/current
infection.
·
Do not have
immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact
with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine
inhaled through the nose).
·
This drug may make
you dizzy or cause tiredness. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity
that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such
activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
·
This drug is not
recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. It is
important to prevent pregnancy while using this medication and for 3 months
after treatment. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, or if
your partner becomes pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
·
It is not known
whether this drug passes into breast milk. However, breast-feeding while using
this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
This is not a complete list. Ask your health care provider
for more information.
STORAGE
REQUIREMENTS:
Store intact vials between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F); protect
from light.
DRUG
INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you
start or stop using, especially:
Allopurinol;
Ciprofloxacin;
Fluvoxamine;
Lansoprazole;
Omeprazole.
This document does not contain all possible interactions.
Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your
doctor and pharmacist.