What is Bendeka?
Bendeka is a treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It can also be utilized to treat indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when other treatments have failed to treat this disease. Bendeka can also be used to treat conditions not covered in this medication guide.
Side effects of Bendeka
Seek medical attention immediately when you are experiencing symptoms that are warning signs of an allergic response (hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling of your throat or face) or a severe reaction to your skin (fever or sore throat, burning of your eyes, pain in the skin, and red or purple skin itching that can cause peeling and blisters).
Consult a doctor when you experience a severe reaction to medication that could affect various parts of your body. Symptoms may include the following: a skin rash or fever; swelling of the glands; muscle pains; abnormal bruising; severe weakness; or a discoloration of your eyes or skin. Bendeka could cause an infection that could lead to disabilities or even death. Inform your doctor if you experience difficulties with your speech, thought, vision, or movement. These signs can become more severe rapidly.
Bendeka may cause serious side effects:
- Fever, chills, and itching within or shortly after the injection.
- Redness, swelling, pain, skin changes, or indications of infection in the area at the site of injection.
- Severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Liver issues--right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite and yellowing of skin or eyes as well as feeling unwell are symptoms that your liver might be failing.
- Low blood cell counts, fever, chills, fatigue, mouth sores, skin sores, simple bruising, abnormal bleeding, pale skin, cold feet and hands, being lightheaded or sluggish.
- Signs of tumor cell breakdown--confusion, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, fast or slow heart rate fluctuations, reduced urination frequency and tingling in hands or feet or around your mouth are among those symptoms of cell disintegration.
The course of your cancer treatment may be delayed if there are certain negative side effects.
Common adverse effects of Bendeka can include:
- The fever and itching throat sores cause difficulty breathing.
- Low blood cell count.
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Headache, tiredness.
- It can be a rash.
- Decrease in appetite.Losing weight.
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Other effects may also be present. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Inform your healthcare providers immediately if you experience any kind of skin rash following being treated by Bendeka.
Before you take this drug
You shouldn't be treated with Bendeka when you have an allergy to Bendeka, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and mannitol (Osmitrol).
Speak to your doctor if you have ever suffered from:
- A weak immune system.
- Fever or other symptoms of infection.
-
Tuberculosis.
- Herpes zoster (also known as "shingles").
- An electrolyte imbalance or metabolic disorder.
- The liver condition.
- Kidney disease.
- smoking.
The use of Bendeka can increase the chances of developing certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about this chance. Bendeka may harm an unborn child as well as cause birth defects if the father or mother is taking this medication.
- If you're female, do not use Bendeka if there is a possibility of pregnancy. It is possible that you will need to undergo an unconfirmed pregnancy test prior to beginning this treatment. Utilize effective contraception to stop pregnancy while taking this medication and for a minimum of six months following your last dose.
- If you're male, use effective birth control if you are having sex with a partner who is capable of becoming pregnant. Continue using birth control for a minimum of three months following your last dose.
- Inform your doctor immediately. If you become pregnant during the time that one of the parents or father is taking Bendeka.
The medicine can alter fertility (the ability to have kids) in males. It is nevertheless important to use birth control in order to stop pregnancy, as Bendeka could harm an unborn baby. Avoid breastfeeding while taking this medicine and for at least a week after the last dose.
How to take Bendeka?
Bendeka is administered as an infusion into the vein. The healthcare professional will give the injection. Bendeka is typically prescribed for two consecutive days every 21–28 days. Your physician will decide the duration of treatment with this medication. There are other medications to reduce certain adverse effects associated with bendamustine.
Contact your physician if you are experiencing any burning, pain, or swelling in the area of your IV needle after the medication is administered. Bendeka influences your immunity. It can cause you to contract infections more often, including severe or fatal infections. Your doctor should test you regularly. If you've had Hepatitis B or C, taking Bendeka could trigger this virus to get active or to get worse. It is possible that you will require regular tests for your liver's function while taking this medicine and for a period of time following its discontinuation.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor for advice. If you do not make an appointment with your Bendeka.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you understand how Bendeka can impact you. Your reaction could be affected.
Interaction with other drugs
There are times when it's not recommended to use certain medicines simultaneously. Certain medications can alter the blood levels of other medications that you take, which can create side effects or render the medication less effective.
Discuss with your doctor all other medicines you take, particularly:
-
Allopurinol.
This list is not comprehensive. Other drugs can interact with Bendeka, such as prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Some interactions with drugs are not listed here. are included here.