Bendamustine Side Effects
What should I watch for?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. This medication may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.
You may need blood work while taking this medication.
This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
In some patients, this medication may cause a serious brain infection that may cause death. If you have any problems seeing, thinking, speaking, walking, or standing, tell your care team right away. If you cannot reach your care team, urgently seek other source of medical care.
This medication may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your care team if you notice any unusual bleeding.
Talk to your care team about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancer if you take this medication.
Talk to your care team about your risk of skin cancer. You may be more at risk for skin cancer if you take this medication.
Talk to your care team if you or your partner wish to become pregnant or think either of you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy or for up to 6 months after the last dose. A negative pregnancy test is required before starting this medication. A reliable form of contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 6 months after the last dose. Talk to your care team about reliable forms of contraception. Wear a condom while taking this medication and for at least 3 months after the last dose.
Do not breast-feed while taking this medication or for at least 1 week after the last dose.
This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.
Side Effects (Rare and Common)
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blood in the urine or stools
chills
cough or hoarseness
headache
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
lack or loss of strength
lower back, side, or stomach pain
muscle aches
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
stuffy or runny nose
swelling of the feet or lower legs
swollen glands
troubled breathing with exertion
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
Burning or stinging of the skin
fast heartbeat
irritation
painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
redness of the skin
stiffness or swelling
swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing or swallowing
Incidence not known
Blistering, flaking, or peeling of the skin
bluish color
changes in skin color
dizziness
pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Decreased weight
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.