 Receiving bendamustine (Treanda)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed bendamustine for the treatment of your chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This drug is an alkylating agent that acts in the cell to slow or stop growth. It has additional effects on cells that are rapidly dividing, like cancer cells. The brand name of this drug is Treanda.
How you'll be given bendamustine
You'll be given bendamustine as a 30-minute I.V. infusion on days 1 and 2 of a 28-day cycle. You may be asked to repeat the cycle up to 6 times.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss the appointment for your treatment, contact your health care provider about rescheduling.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (frequent small meals may help), low blood count (you should avoid exposure to infection and try to prevent injuries).
Less common: fever, rash, weight loss.
What you must know about other medications
Certain other drugs may affect the use of this drug. Tell your health care provider if you're taking fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin, or omeprazole or if you're using nicotine. The dosage of this drug may need to be changed or you may need to use a different drug. If using any of these drugs, you may require closer monitoring. Tell any health care provider taking care of you that you're taking this drug.
Special directions
- You'll need to mark your calendar for the days of your drug infusions.
- You'll need to have blood tests before each infusion to evaluate the effects of the drug on your blood count and body systems. Dosage adjustments may be needed based on the results of these tests.
- Tell any health care provider who takes care of you that you're taking this drug, in case dosage adjustments need to be made to other drugs.
- You'll have a decrease in red blood cells, which may make you very tired; platelets, which may lead to increased bleeding and bruising; and white blood cells, which will make you susceptible to infections. You should plan rest periods during the day; try to avoid activities that could lead to injury; avoid crowded places and people with known infections, and avoid digging in the dirt without protective gloves.
- You may experience nausea and vomiting; small frequent meals may be very helpful. Drugs may be available to relieve these symptoms if they are severe.
- You might experience diarrhea while taking this drug; report this to your health care provider. Drugs may be available to help relieve this symptom.
Keep in mind
- This drug could harm a fetus. You should use contraceptive measures while you're on this drug and for up to three months following the completion of the drug. Men should also use contraceptive measures for the same time period. If you become pregnant while you or your partner is taking this drug, consult your health care provider immediately.
- It isn't known how this drug could affect a breast-fed baby. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects on an infant, another method of feeding the baby should be used while you're taking this drug.
- Report rash, swelling of the face, shortness of breath, significant bleeding or fever, signs of infection, persistent nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
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