Bendamustine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jan 17, 2024.

Applies to bendamustine: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution.

Serious side effects of bendamustine

Along with its needed effects, bendamustine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking bendamustine:

More common

• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• chest pain
• chills
• cough or hoarseness
• diarrhea
• fever
• headache
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• lack or loss of strength
• lower back, side, or stomach pain
• muscle aches
• nausea
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• swollen glands
• trouble breathing
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Less common

• burning or stinging of the skin
• chest tightness
• fast heartbeat
• hives, itching, or rash
• irritation
• painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
• redness of the skin
• stiffness or swelling
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• trouble swallowing

Incidence not known

• back pain
• blistering, flaking, or peeling of the skin
• bluish color
• blurred vision
• changes in skin color
• confusion
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• persistent non-healing sore
• pink growth
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• reddish patch or irritated area
• seizures
• shiny bump
• sweating
• thickening of bronchial secretions
• weakness
• white, yellow, or waxy scar-like area

Other side effects of bendamustine

Some side effects of bendamustine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• decreased weight

For healthcare professionals

Applies to bendamustine: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution.

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased lymphocytes (up to 99%), decreased leukocytes (up to 94%), decreased hemoglobin (up to 89%), decreased neutrophils (up to 86%), decreased platelets (up to 86%), lymphocytopenia (up to 74%), neutropenia (up to 45%), thrombocytopenia (up to 39%), anemia (up to 38%), leukopenia (up to 37%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Febrile neutropenia, hemorrhage, lymphopenia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hemolysis
• Postmarketing reports: Pancytopenia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 77%), diarrhea (up to 42%), vomiting (up to 40%), constipation (up to 31%), stomatitis (up to 21%), abdominal pain (up to 14%), dyspepsia (up to 14%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, upper abdominal pain, abdominal distension, oral candidiasis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hemorrhagic esophagitis^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 64%), infectious episodes (up to 37%), pyrexia (up to 36%), chills (up to 14%), asthenia (up to 13%), herpes zoster (up to 12%), mucosal inflammation
• Common (1% to 10%): Pain, infection, herpes simplex, amenorrhea, epididymitis, thirst, cytomegalovirus infection
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sepsis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Infertility, multi-organ failure
• Frequency not reported: Septic shock, general physical health deterioration
• Postmarketing reports: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Elevated bilirubin (up to 34%), increased creatinine, increased urea
• Common (1% to 10%): Increased AST, increased ALT, increased alkaline phosphatase
• Frequency not reported: Hepatitis, hepatic failure, gallbladder pain^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (up to 24%), decreased weight (up to 20%), dehydration (up to 15%), decreased appetite (up to 13%), hypokalemia (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperuricemia, tumor lysis syndrome, hypomagnesemia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (up to 22%), dyspnea (up to 17%), upper respiratory tract infection (up to 10%), pharyngolaryngeal pain (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, wheezing, nasal congestion, pulmonary dysfunction
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pulmonary fibrosis
• Frequency not reported: Lung neoplasm, lung infiltration, pleural effusion
• Postmarketing reports: Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, pneumonitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 21%), dizziness (up to 15%), dysgeusia (up to 11%)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Somnolence, aphonia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Paresthesia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, anticholinergic syndrome, neurological disorders, ataxia, encephalitis
• Frequency not reported: Paraplegia, neuralgia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (up to 16%), erythema (up to 16%), skin allergic reactions (up to 15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, dry skin, night sweats, hyperhidrosis, alopecia, skin disorders
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Dermatitis, macular-papular rash
• Frequency not reported: Toxic skin reactions, bullous exanthema, urticaria
• Postmarketing reports: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, depression^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Peripheral edema (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia, chest pain, hypotension, cardiac dysfunction (palpitations, angina pectoris, arrhythmia), hypertension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pericardial effusion
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Myocardial infarction, acute circulatory failure, cardiac failure
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Phlebitis
• Frequency not reported: Vasculitis
• Postmarketing reports: Atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Back pain (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, extremity pain, bone pain, myalgia
• Frequency not reported: Sacral pain^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (up to 11%)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity reactions
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reaction
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactic shock^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Infusion site pain, catheter site pain
• Frequency not reported: Extravasation injury, infusion reactions, injection site reactions^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Retinal detachment^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Frequency not reported: Pre-malignant and malignant diseases/secondary tumors^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Are lung nodules common after Bendeka & Rituxan therapy?
• How is Bendeka different to Treanda?
• Why has Bendeka replaced Treanda?
• How often is Bendeka given and how long does treatment last?
• Does Treanda cause hair loss?
• What is Treanda used for and how does it work?
• What is Bendeka used for?

Further information

Bendamustine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer