Advise women of childbearing potential to avoid pregnancy. Most common changes in pulmonary function tests are decreases in total lung volume and vital capacity, but changes are not predictive of development of pulmonary fibrosis. Similar changes are seen in radiation pneumonitis and pneumocystic pneumonitis. When drug is given with other antineoplastics, pulmonary toxicities may occur at lower doses. Drug-induced pneumonitis produces nonspecific patchy opacities, usually of lower lung fields.
Risk is increased when oxygen is given in surgery.
Contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated a hypersensitive or idiosyncratic reaction to bleomycin. Institute therapy with volume expanders, pressor agents, antihistamines, and corticosteroids. Safety and effectiveness not established. Most frequent reactions are italicized. The information provided above is based on the manufacturer's official US labeling for this product, last updated November 2000.