⚠️ Warnings
Myelosuppression
Patients treated with bendamustine hydrochloride may experience myelosuppression. In case of treatment-induced myelosuppression, leukocyte counts, platelet counts, haemoglobin levels, and neutrophil counts must be monitored at least once weekly. Initiation of the next treatment cycle is recommended only after the following parameters have been achieved: leukocyte and/or platelet values > 4,000/µl and > 100,000/µl, respectively.
Infections
Serious and fatal infections have occurred with bendamustine hydrochloride, including bacterial infections (sepsis, pneumonia) and opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), including fatal cases, have been reported after use of bendamustine, particularly in combination with rituximab or obinutuzumab. Treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride can cause prolonged lymphocytopenia (< 600/μl) and low CD4-positive T-cell counts (helper T-cells) (< 200/μl), which may persist for at least 7–9 months after completion of treatment.
Lymphocytopenia and CD4-positive T-cell depletion are more pronounced when bendamustine is combined with rituximab. Patients with lymphopenia and low CD4-positive T-cell counts are more susceptible to (opportunistic) infections after treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride. In case of low CD4-positive T-cell counts (< 200/μl), prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) should be considered.
All patients should be monitored during treatment for respiratory difficulties and symptoms. Patients should be instructed to report new signs of infection immediately, including fever or respiratory symptoms. In case of signs of (opportunistic) infections, discontinuation of bendamustine hydrochloride should be considered.
In patients with new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioural signs or symptoms, PML should be considered in the differential diagnosis. If PML is suspected, appropriate diagnostic evaluations should be performed and treatment should be withheld until PML has been excluded.
Hepatitis B reactivation
Reactivation of hepatitis B has occurred in patients who are chronic carriers of the hepatitis B virus after administration of bendamustine hydrochloride. Some cases resulted in acute hepatic failure or death. Patients should be tested for HBV infection before starting treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride. Patients with positive hepatitis B tests (including those with active disease) should consult with hepatologists and specialists in hepatitis B treatment before starting therapy; the same applies to patients who test positive for HBV infection during treatment. HBV carriers who require treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride should be carefully monitored during treatment and for several months after discontinuation for signs and symptoms of active HBV infection (see section 4.8).
Skin reactions
Numerous skin reactions have been reported, including rash, severe skin reactions, and bullous exanthema. Cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), some of them fatal, have been reported with bendamustine hydrochloride. Patients should be advised by the prescribing physician of the signs and symptoms of these reactions and should be instructed to seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur. Some of these cases occurred when bendamustine hydrochloride was administered in combination with other antineoplastic agents; therefore the exact relationship is uncertain. If skin reactions occur, they may progress with continued treatment and their severity may increase. If skin reactions progress, bendamustine administration must be interrupted or discontinued. In case of severe skin reactions suspected to be related to bendamustine hydrochloride, treatment must be discontinued.
Cardiac disorders
During treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride, serum potassium levels must be carefully monitored in patients with cardiac disorders, and potassium supplements must be administered if K+ < 3.5 mEq/l; ECG monitoring must also be performed. Fatal cases of myocardial infarction and cardiac failure have been reported during treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride. Patients with cardiac disease, including history thereof, should be carefully monitored.
Nausea, vomiting
Antiemetics may be administered for symptomatic treatment of nausea and vomiting.
Tumour lysis syndrome
Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) associated with bendamustine treatment has been reported in patients in clinical studies. It usually manifests within 48 hours of the first dose of bendamustine and, if untreated, may lead to acute renal failure and death. Preventive measures should be considered before starting treatment, such as ensuring adequate hydration, careful monitoring of blood chemistry parameters, particularly potassium and uric acid levels, and use of hypouricaemic agents (allopurinol and rasburicase). Several cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported with concomitant administration of bendamustine and allopurinol.
Anaphylaxis
Infusion reactions to bendamustine hydrochloride occurred frequently in clinical studies. Symptoms are usually mild and include fever, chills, pruritus, and rash. In rare cases, severe anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions have occurred. After the first treatment cycle, patients must be asked whether they experienced symptoms suggestive of an infusion reaction. In patients who have previously experienced infusion reactions, preventive measures against severe reactions, including antihistamines, antipyretics, and corticosteroids, should be considered during subsequent cycles.
Patients who experienced grade 3 or higher allergic-type reactions were generally not re-treated.
Contraception
Bendamustine hydrochloride is teratogenic and mutagenic.
Women must not become pregnant during treatment. Men should be informed about sperm conservation before starting treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride due to the possibility of irreversible infertility.
Extravasation
Extravasation injection must be stopped immediately. After brief aspiration, the needle must be removed. The affected tissue area should then be cooled. The arm should be elevated. Additional treatment, such as administration of corticosteroids, has no clear benefit.
Non-melanoma skin cancer
An increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) was observed in clinical studies in patients receiving treatment including bendamustine. Regular skin examinations are recommended for all patients, especially those with risk factors for skin cancer.
Dilution
Bendamustine Accord requires appropriate dilution before use. The concentration of bendamustine in Bendamustine Accord 25 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion differs from other bendamustine products (for further dilution instructions, see section 6.6).