Bleomycin

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.

Here are some important things to think about:

• Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
• Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
• If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:

• Trouble breathing.
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Fever or chills within 3 to 6 hours after getting this medicine.
• Confusion, faintness, or wheezing.
• Sudden severe chest pain or a sudden weakness in your arms or legs.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Hives.
• A cough or shortness of breath.
• Sores in your mouth and on your lips.

Common side effects of this medicine include:

• Darkening or thickening of the skin.
• Skin rash or colored bumps on the fingertips, elbows, or palms.
• Vomiting and loss of appetite.

The most serious problem that can happen when you take this medicine is that it can cause scarring of the tissue in your lungs (pulmonary fibrosis). This is more likely to happen in elderly people or in people who get a high total dose.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

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