Bendeka

Bendamustine, also known and sold under the trade names of Bendeka and Treanda. Bendamustine belongs to the group of cancer chemotherapy drugs known as alkylating agents. It works by stopping the growth process of the cancer cells, and then killing them. It is used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, especially chronic lymphocytic leukemia – CLL and B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, when all the other used medicines have proven as no useful. Also, Bendamustine is used in the treatment for breast cancer and multiple myeloma. 

In dedication of using this treatment, it is important that the benefits outweigh the potential risks and side effects. This is a decision that you have to make with your doctor. Because of this, make sure you inform your doctor about:

• Allergies – Inform your doctor if you have had any allergic reactions to this medicine (if used before) or to any other medications. Also, inform the healthcare professional if you have any allergies to any specific diet, fabric, dye and etc.
• Pediatric – There are no studies that confirm the possible risks and side effects, as well as the beneficial effects from the usage of this medicine. Because of this, safety is not guaranteed.
• Geriatric – Appropriate studies have shown that there are no age connected problems that would limit the usage of this medicine within geriatric patients.
• Pregnancy – Inform your doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. Appropriate studies have shown that there is a risk if this medicine is used during pregnancy, but Bendamustine can be used in a life threatening situation, when the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Breastfeeding – Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding at the moment. Although there are no studies that confirm if this medicine is extracted in the milk, it should be only used if the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Drug interactions – Inform your doctor about any other medications that you are currently using, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. Some medications are not recommended to be used in certain combination with other medication. But, sometimes certain combinations have proven beneficial. This is a decision that your doctor will make.
• Other interactions – Get informed if any special diet is required during the treatment with Bendamustine, as well as if you should continue using tobacco and alcohol. Using this medication in a combination with tobacco is not usually recommended.
• Other medical problems – Inform your doctor about your medical history, other medical problems that you have had in the past and as well as in the present. Especially, inform your doctor if there is a presence of: infection, kidney disease, liver disease.

This medication is in a liquid form and it is applied as an intramuscular injection. In most cases is applied by the healthcare professional in the hospital. The dosage is directed by the doctor, according to your medical condition, the prognosis of the condition and your weight. Your doctor will make a schedule for you, which is very important to follow and get your injections as scheduled to get the most beneficial effect. If it happens to miss a dose, contact your doctor so that a new schedule can be made. If you suspect an overdose, contact your doctor right away. Symptoms of an overdose are fast/irregular heartbeat and fainting. 

Visit your doctor at your scheduled appointments so that the doctor can regularly check your condition and make any changes if needed to the dosage or the schedule for the injections. Make sure you inform your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reactions to any medications.

This medication may contain an inactive substances that may affects in a way so that interactions would occur. Pregnancy in the time of the treatment with Bendamustine is not recommended. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or if you have any plans about pregnancy in the future.

The doctor may prescribe a proven form of birth control which is recommended to be used during the treatment and 3 months after as well. In the time of the treatment with Bendamustine you may experience a lower level of white blood cells, because if that infections may occur more often. Also, it can affect the level of blood pallets, important for blood coagulation, so certain precautions may have to be taken.

The drug may cause dizziness, because of that driving and activities which require alertness should be avoided. Avoid breastfeeding during the treatment, because it is unknown if this medicine is extracted in the milk. 

There are certain potential side effects that could be expected to occur along with the beneficial effects. It is important to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you could notice their presence and inform the doctor right away. Some of the side effects may disappear with time, until the body gets used to the presence of the medicine. But if the condition gets worse you have to get help from the doctor and the healthcare professional.

More common side effects:

• Black stools
• Bloody urine
• Chest pain
• Fever and Chills
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Pale skin
• Swelling of the feet
• Trouble with breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Swollen glands

Less common side effects:

• Burning of the skin
• Hives, Itching and Rash
• Stiffness or Swelling
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Tightness in the chest