Bleomycin Sulphate Injection

Bleomycin Sulphate Injection is a medicine used for treatment of cancer in various parts of the body such as cervical, cancer of the mouth, nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses, larynx, esophagus, and skin. It works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed.

Bleomycin Sulphate Injection may be used alone or with other medicines as part of combination therapy. It is given under the supervision of a healthcare professional and should not be self-administered. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. You should avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase your risk of liver damage.

The most common side effects of this medicine include fever, loss of appetite, loss of hair, weight loss, nausea, inflammation of the lungs (interstitial pneumonia), shortness of breath or cough. If they do not go away or get worse, tell your doctor. There may be ways of preventing or reducing these effects. It is very strong medicine and some people may develop serious side effects while taking it. This medicine may lower your ability to fight infections and lead to problems with your blood, liver or kidneys. Your doctor will advise you regular blood tests to check for these.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have stomach, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It may harm your baby. You and your partner should avoid becoming pregnant or fathering a child for several months after your treatment with it has stopped. Your doctor may perform several tests such as blood tests, X-rays and physical examinations both before and during treatment with this medicine.

• Cervical cancer
• Cancer of mouth, nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses, larynx, oesophagus
• Skin cancer

Cervical cancer
Bleomycin Sulphate Injection is an anti-cancer medicine that is used to kill cancerous cells in various kinds of cancer such as cervical cancer, cancer of mouth, nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses, larynx, oesophagus and skin cancer. It may be given alone or in combination with other medicines. It has a lot of side effects and you must discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before starting treatment with this medicine. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Metbleo

• Fever
• Hair loss
• Interstitial pneumonia
• Loss of appetite
• Low blood platelets
• Nail discoloration
• Nausea
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Rigors
• Scratch dermatitis
• Skin pigmentation
• Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Bleomycin Sulphate Injection is an anti-cancer medication. It works by damaging the genetic material (DNA) of the cancer cells and stops their growth and multiplication.

• Bleomycin Sulphate Injection is given as an injection into the veins, muscles or under the skin by the healthcare provider.
• Do not skip any dose and complete the course as suggested by your doctor.
• Use an effective method of birth control to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication.
• You may need to have blood tests to monitor your blood cells, liver function and kidney function during treatment.
• Inform your doctor immediately if you experience coughing, shortness of breath and cracking sound while breathing.

Chabner BA, Bertino J, Cleary J, et al. Cytotoxic Agents. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1716-18.

Chu E, Sartorelli AC. Cancer Chemotherapy. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 952-53.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 149-50.

Bleomycin sulfate. Galashiels, Scotland: Kyowa Kirin Ltd.; 2006 [revised Jul. 2018]. [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Bleomycin. [Updated 2018 Dec 3]. [Accessed 18 Feb. 2020] (online) Available from:

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 27 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from: