What is the adverse effect of bleomycin (Blenoxane)?

- The major form of dose-limiting toxicity with bleomycin is injury to the lungs.

It manifests initially as pneumonitis but can progress to severe pulmonary fibrosis and death. In addition to auscultation of lung sounds, pulmonary function studies should be monitored. Bleomycin is discontinued at the first sign of these adverse changes. Nausea and vomiting usually are mild with the use of this medication, and unlike most other anticancer agents, bleomycin exerts minimal toxicity to bone marrow. It does not directly affect the blood pressure.