Bendamustine

Background

• Alkylating agent containing a purine-like benzimidazole ring
• Indicated for CLL and non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Safety

• Common: nausea, vomiting, fatigue, myelosuppression, diarrhea, fevers, chills, constipation, anorexia, weight loss, headache, and mucositis
• Myelosuppression, which may be fatal
• Infections, including CMV and VZV, reactivation of hepatitis B
• Infusion reactions are common
• Tumour lysis syndrome, particularly with bulky disease
• Hypertension