Special Warning : אזהרת שימוש

4.4          Special warnings and precautions for use

Myelosuppression
Patients treated with bendamustine hydrochloride may experience myelosuppression. In the event of treatment-related myelosuppression, leukocytes, platelets, haemoglobin, and neutrophils must be monitored at least weekly. Prior to the initiation of the next cycle of therapy, the following parameters are recommended: Leukocyte and/or platelet values > 4,000/µl or > 100,000/µl, respectively.

Infections

Serious and fatal infections have occurred with bendamustine hydrochloride, including bacterial (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 ones have been reported following the use of bendamustine mainly in combination with rituximab or obinutuzumab. Treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride may cause prolonged lymphocytopenia (< 600/μl) and low CD4-positive T-cell (T-helper cell) counts (< 200/μl) for at least 7–9 months after the 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 count following treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride are more susceptible to (opportunistic) infections. In case of low CD4-positive T-cell counts (< 200/μl) Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis should be considered. All, patients should be monitored for respiratory signs and symptoms throughout treatment. Patients should be advised to report new signs of infection, including fever or respiratory symptoms promptly. Discontinuation of bendamustine hydrochloride should be considered if there are signs of (opportunistic) infections.
Consider PML in the differential diagnosis in patients with new or worsening neurological, cognitive or behavioural signs or symptoms. If PML is suspected then appropriate diagnostic evaluations should be undertaken and treatment suspended until PML is excluded.
Hepatitis B reactivation

Reactivation of hepatitis B in patients who are chronic carriers of this virus has occurred after these patients received bendamustine hydrochloride. Some cases resulted in acute hepatic failure or a fatal outcome. Patients should be tested for HBV infection before initiating treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride. Experts in liver disease and in the treatment of hepatitis B should be consulted before treatment is initiated in patients with positive hepatitis B tests (including those with active disease) and for patients who test positive for HBV infection during treatment. Carriers of HBV who require treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of active HBV infection throughout therapy and for several months following termination of therapy (see section 4.8).

Skin reactions

A number of skin reactions have been reported. These events have included rash, severe cutaneous reactions and bullous exanthema. Cases of Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), and Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS), some fatal, have been reported with the use of bendamustine hydrochloride. Patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms of these reactions by their prescribers and should be told to seek medical attention immediately if they develop these symptoms. Some events occurred when bendamustine hydrochloride was given in combination with other anticancer agents, so the precise relationship is uncertain. When skin reactions occur, they may be progressive and increase in severity with further treatment. If skin reactions are progressive, bendamustine hydrochloride should be withheld or discontinued. For severe skin reactions with suspected relationship to bendamustine hydrochloride, treatment should be discontinued.

Cardiac disorders

During treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride the concentration of potassium in the blood of patients with cardiac disorders must be closely monitored and potassium supplement must be given when K+ <3.5 mEq/l, and ECG measurement must be performed.

Fatal cases of myocardial infarction and cardiac failure have been reported with bendamustine hydrochloride treatment. Patients with concurrent or history of cardiac disease should be observed closely.

Nausea, vomiting

An antiemetic may be given for the symptomatic treatment of nausea and vomiting.
Tumour lysis syndrome

Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) associated with bendamustine hydrochloride treatment has been reported in patients in clinical trials. The onset tends to be within 48 hours of the first dose of bendamustine hydrochloride and, without intervention, may lead to acute renal failure and death.
Preventive measures such as adequate hydration, close monitoring of blood chemistry, particularly potassium and uric acid levels and the use of hypouricemic agents (allopurinol and rasburicase) should be considered prior to therapy. There have been a few cases of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis reported when bendamustine and allopurinol were administered concomitantly.

Anaphylaxis

Infusion reactions to bendamustine hydrochloride have occurred commonly in clinical trials.
Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, chills, pruritus and rash. In rare instances severe anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions have occurred. Patients must be asked about symptoms suggestive of infusion reactions after their first cycle of therapy. Measures to prevent severe reactions, including antihistamines, antipyretics and corticosteroids must be considered in subsequent cycles in patients who have previously experienced infusion reactions.

Patients who experienced Grade 3 or worse allergic-type reactions were typically not re-challenged.

Non-melanoma skin cancer
In clinical studies, an increased risk for non-melanoma skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) has been observed in patients treated with bendamustine containing therapies. Periodic skin examination is recommended for all patients, particularly those with risk factors for skin cancer.

Contraception

Bendamustine hydrochloride is teratogenic and mutagenic.
Women should not become pregnant during treatment. Male patients should not father a child during and up to 6 months after treatment. They should seek advice about sperm conservation prior to treatment with bendamustine hydrochloride because of possible irreversible infertility.

Extravasation

An extravasal injection should be stopped immediately. The needle should be removed after a short aspiration. Thereafter the affected area of tissue should be cooled. The arm should be elevated.
Additional treatments like the use of corticosteroids are not of clear benefit.

Effects on Driving

4.7         Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Bendamustine hydrochloride has major influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Ataxia, peripheral neuropathy and somnolence have been reported during treatment with Bendamustine hydrochloride (see section 4.8). Patients should be instructed that if they experience these symptoms they should avoid potentially hazardous tasks such as driving and using machines.