How is Vivimusta (bendamustine) administered?

Vivimusta (bendamustine) is given as an infusion through a vein. This is also called an intravenous or IV infusion. Your nurse will probably use an IV access device, like a [port](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cancer/port-a-cath-chemo-infusion-options), to give the medication. This helps keep the medication from [leaking](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4734939/) into nearby tissues and causing irritation. Each infusion usually takes around 20 minutes.

How to get Vivimusta (bendamustine)?

To get Vivimusta (bendamustine), you’ll need to go to a cancer center or infusion clinic. You can’t pick up this medication from a regular pharmacy. This is because a nurse or other trained healthcare professional will give you the infusion safely through an IV. They will also watch you and help if you have side effects like [nausea](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/chemotherapy-side-effects/medications-for-chemo-nausea-vomiting) or an [infusion reaction](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infusion-immune-reactions.html). Talk to your oncology care team about setting up your Vivimusta (bendamustine) appointments.

What are the most common side effects of Vivimusta (bendamustine)?

Common side effects of Vivimusta (bendamustine) include [nausea](https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/nausea-patient.pdf), vomiting, and feeling tired. It’s also common to have low blood cell counts, which can make it easier for you to get sick or bruise. To help with nausea, your oncologist can give you [antiemetic medications](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/chemotherapy-side-effects/medications-for-chemo-nausea-vomiting). Be sure to [drink plenty of fluids](https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/best-drinks-for-hydration) to stay hydrated and eat small meals throughout the day to help calm your stomach. Also wash your hands often and avoid large crowds to prevent getting sick. Call your care team right away if you get [a fever](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/fever.html) because it could be the only sign that you’re sick. If you notice any side effects that are too hard for you to handle, tell your care team so they can help you. Ask your care team about other side effects to look out for too.

Does Vivimusta (bendamustine) cause skin rash?

Skin rash isn’t common with Vivimusta (bendamustine), but it’s possible. In rare cases, it can cause very [serious skin reactions](https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/dermatology/drug-rash-skin-reaction) that can be life threatening. The risk might be higher if you take [allopurinol (Zyloprim)](https://www.goodrx.com/allopurinol/what-is) at the same time as Vivimusta (bendamustine). Get medical help right away if you notice a rash, painful blisters, sores on the skin, peeling skin, or fever during treatment. These can be signs of a serious skin reaction that needs urgent care.

Do I need to use birth control while taking Vivimusta (bendamustine)?

Yes. If you can become pregnant, use an effective form of [birth control](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/birth-control) while taking Vivimusta (bendamustine). Keep using birth control for 6 months after your last infusion. If you’re a man who can get someone pregnant, also use birth control, like [condoms](https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/sexual-health/how-to-pick-condoms), during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose. This is important because Vivimusta (bendamustine) might harm an unborn baby. Tell your oncologist right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant during treatment.

Vivimusta

bendamustine

Used for Leukemia, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Vivimusta (bendamustine) is a type of chemotherapy medication called an alkylating agent. It’s approved to treat some blood cancers like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This medication is given as an infusion through a vein at a medical center or clinic. It’s given over about 20 minutes on the first 2 days of each treatment cycle. Side effects include nausea, tiredness, low blood cell counts, and a risk of infection.

Reviewed by:

Allison Baxley, PharmD, BCOP

Cydnee Ng, PharmD

Last reviewed on January 13, 2026

What is Vivimusta (bendamustine)?

What is Vivimusta (bendamustine) used for?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), after previous treatment with rituximab (Rituxan) within the last 6 months

How Vivimusta (bendamustine) works

Vivimusta (bendamustine) is a type of traditional chemotherapy known as an alkylating agent. It works by damaging fast-growing cells in the body, like cancer cells. The medication damages the cells’ DNA, which usually causes them to die. This helps fight cancer.

Are you looking for information on bendamustine (Treanda) or Bendeka (bendamustine) instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Vivimusta
Drug Class	Alkylating agent
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Vivimusta

Drug Class

Alkylating agent

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Vivimusta

Vivimusta is given as an infusion through a vein. This is also called an intravenous or IV infusion. Your nurse will probably use an IV access device, like a port, to give the medication. This helps keep the medication from leaking into nearby tissues and causing irritation. Each infusion usually takes around 20 minutes.

Vivimusta is given on days 1 and 2 of each treatment cycle. If you have CLL, each cycle starts every 4 weeks and you can do up to 6 cycles. If you have NHL, each cycle starts every 3 weeks and you can do up to 8 cycles. Ask your oncologist about your personal treatment plan.

To get Vivimusta, you’ll need to go to a cancer center or infusion clinic. You can’t pick up this medication from a regular pharmacy. This is because a nurse or other trained healthcare professional will give you the infusion safely through an IV. They will also watch you and help if you have side effects like nausea or an infusion reaction. Talk to your oncology care team about setting up your Vivimusta appointments.

Common side effects of Vivimusta include nausea, vomiting, and feeling tired. It’s also common to have low blood cell counts, which can make it easier for you to get sick or bruise. To help with nausea, your oncologist can give you antiemetic medications. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and eat small meals throughout the day to help calm your stomach. Also wash your hands often and avoid large crowds to prevent getting sick. Call your care team right away if you get a fever because it could be the only sign that you’re sick. If you notice any side effects that are too hard for you to handle, tell your care team so they can help you. Ask your care team about other side effects to look out for too.

Vivimusta doesn’t usually cause hair loss. If you notice any hair thinning or shedding, let your oncology care team know. They can talk to you about possible causes and help you manage hair loss.

Skin rash isn’t common with Vivimusta, but it’s possible. In rare cases, it can cause very serious skin reactions that can be life threatening. The risk might be higher if you take allopurinol (Zyloprim) at the same time as Vivimusta. Get medical help right away if you notice a rash, painful blisters, sores on the skin, peeling skin, or fever during treatment. These can be signs of a serious skin reaction that needs urgent care.

Yes. If you can become pregnant, use an effective form of birth control while taking Vivimusta. Keep using birth control for 6 months after your last infusion. If you’re a man who can get someone pregnant, also use birth control, like condoms, during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose. This is important because Vivimusta might harm an unborn baby. Tell your oncologist right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant during treatment.

Vivimusta and Bendeka are brand-name versions of bendamustine. They treat the same blood cancers and are given as an infusion through the vein. The main differences are their formulations and how long each infusion takes. Each Vivimusta infusion is given over about 20 minutes. But each Bendeka infusion takes about 10 minutes. Talk to your oncologist to see which one is right for you.

Vivimusta (bendamustine) dosage

Typical dosage for Vivimusta (bendamustine)

Your oncologist will find the right dose for you. It’s based on your body size or body surface area (BSA), which is calculated in units of m². To figure this out, your oncologist will use your height and weight to calculate how much medication you need.

CLL: The typical dose is 100 mg/m² given as an infusion through the vein (an intravenous or IV infusion). It’s given over 20 minutes on days 1 and 2 of each 28-day cycle for up to 6 cycles.
B-cell NHL: The typical dose is 120 mg/m² given as an IV infusion. It’s given over 20 minutes on days 1 and 2 of a 21-day cycle for up to 8 cycles.

Interactions between Vivimusta (bendamustine) and other drugs

Vivimusta (bendamustine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Vivimusta (bendamustine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
Zoster Vaccine, Live

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Adenovirus Vaccine
Amiodarone
Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
Carbamazepine
Cholera Vaccine, Live
Ciprofloxacin
Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Live
Enoxacin
Fluvoxamine
Fosphenytoin
Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
Interferon Alfa-2b
Nicotine
Peginterferon Alfa-2a
Phenytoin
Poliovirus Vaccine, Live
Rifampin
Smallpox Vaccine
Typhoid Vaccine, Live
Yellow Fever Vaccine

Vivimusta (bendamustine) contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Vivimusta (bendamustine) will not be safe for you to take.

Serious allergic reaction to bendamustine

What are alternatives to Vivimusta (bendamustine)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Vivimusta (bendamustine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Vivimusta (bendamustine)

Used for:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), after previous treatment with rituximab (Rituxan) within the last 6 months

View prices

Leukeran (chlorambucil)

Used for:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL)
Other non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas

$8,572.76Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

Cyclophosphamide

Used for:

Lymphomas
Multiple myeloma
Leukemias
Mycosis fungoides (a type of lymphoma affecting the skin)
Ovarian cancer
Breast cancer
Certain childhood cancers (e.g., neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma)
Nephrotic syndrome (kidney problem) in children - pill form only

$44.81Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

Vivimusta (bendamustine) images

This medicine is Yellow Vial.yellow - VIVIMUSTA 100mg/4mL Solution for Injection

References

American Cancer Society. (2024). Fevers.

American Cancer Society. (2024). Infusion or immune reactions.

American Cancer Society. (2024). Types of B-cell lymphoma.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

What is Vivimusta (bendamustine)?

What is Vivimusta (bendamustine) used for?

How Vivimusta (bendamustine) works

Are you looking for information on bendamustine (Treanda) or Bendeka (bendamustine) instead?

Drug facts

Common questions about Vivimusta

How is Vivimusta administered?

How often are the Vivimusta infusions?

How to get Vivimusta?

What are the most common side effects of Vivimusta?

Does Vivimusta cause hair loss?

Does Vivimusta cause skin rash?

Do I need to use birth control while taking Vivimusta?

What’s the difference between Vivimusta and Bendeka?

Vivimusta (bendamustine) dosage

Typical dosage for Vivimusta (bendamustine)

Interactions between Vivimusta (bendamustine) and other drugs

Vivimusta (bendamustine) contraindications

What are alternatives to Vivimusta (bendamustine)?

Vivimusta (bendamustine) images

References

View All References (8)

Common questions about Vivimusta

How is Vivimusta administered?

How often are the Vivimusta infusions?

How to get Vivimusta?

What are the most common side effects of Vivimusta?

Does Vivimusta cause hair loss?

Does Vivimusta cause skin rash?

Do I need to use birth control while taking Vivimusta?

What’s the difference between Vivimusta and Bendeka?