💊 Medicine Name:
Bendamustine Hydrochloride
💉 Formulation:
Injection (Lyophilized Powder for Reconstitution)
💪 Strength:
25 mg per vial
📜 Description:
Bendamustine is an alkylating antineoplastic agent, structurally related to nitrogen mustard. It has both alkylating and purine analog properties, making it effective in treating hematologic cancers and some solid tumors.
🧾 Prescription:
Prescription-only (Rx)
Administered under the supervision of an oncologist/hematologist.
⚙️ Mechanism of Action:
- Alkylates DNA, leading to cross-linking and strand breaks.
- Disrupts DNA synthesis and function.
- Induces apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells.
🎯 Indications / Uses:
Used in the treatment of:
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) (particularly indolent types)
- Multiple Myeloma (off-label or in combination)
📦 Common Packaging:
- Single-use glass vial containing 25 mg of lyophilized powder.
- Reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection, further diluted for IV infusion.
- Usually packaged in cartons of 1 or more vials.
💉 Dosage & Administration:
- Route: Intravenous (IV) infusion
- Reconstitute with 5 mL sterile water, then dilute in 0.9% NaCl or D5W.
- Infusion time: typically 30–60 minutes.
- Dosing (may vary based on protocol):
- CLL: 100 mg/m² on Days 1 and 2 of a 28-day cycle.
- NHL: 120 mg/m² on Days 1 and 2 of a 21-day cycle.
🧊 Storage:
- Store unopened vials at 2–8°C (refrigerated), protected from light.
- Do not freeze.
- Reconstituted solution: stable for 24 hours in refrigerator, 3 hours at room temp (per manufacturer’s guidance).
⚠️ Precautions:
- Myelosuppression – Monitor CBC regularly.
- Infection risk – neutropenia is common.
- Renal/hepatic impairment – Use cautiously or adjust dose.
- Infusion reactions – Premedicate if needed.
- Secondary malignancies – long-term risk.
👨⚕️ Patient Advice:
- You’ll need frequent blood tests during treatment.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Report symptoms like:
- Fever, chills
- Easy bruising/bleeding
- Persistent nausea or rash
- Maintain good hydration to reduce kidney stress.
- Avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding.