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What Are The Benefits Of Bleomycin If It Causes Lung Fibrosis?
Question: My son developed fibrosis from the effects of bleomycin. He was treated with steroids which was no help.I know of may people that developed fibrosis and didn't make it.My son was being treated with chemo for testicular cancer.What is the benefit of bleo if it causes fibrosis.Why are they producing this drug? I dont think people are being told of the effects of this drug,or being followed by their Drs close enough. This is a deadly drug I feel should be taken off the market.
Brief Answer:
Please report it to FDA
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for your query at HealthcareMagic.
I am Dr Vaishalee, a pharmacologist.
Lung fibrosis is a known side effect of bleomycin. If the patient develops the symptoms, the drug should be withdrawn.
It accounts to negligence on part of treating doctor if they do not inform the patient of the potential side effects of the medicine or they do not follow their patient regularly. Doctors are also humans. Medicines have been developed in order to reduce the suffering, however they can cause adverse drug reactions. Some of these reactions are even fatal. Therefore benefits have to be weighed against the harm of the treatment especially in cases of cancer.
Research is ongoing to find safer treatments. Drugs that have been in market for a long time are thought to be safe. They may not be.
If you feel that the drug be withdrawn, please report the side effect to the FDA by going on their link:
XXXX
You can also ask your doctor to report the ADR to local pharmacovigilance center. You say that many people developed fibrosis. Please ask them also to report it.
We should take inspiration from the thalidomide tragedy. This drug was withdrawn due to combined effort of affected people.
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Please report it to FDA
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for your query at HealthcareMagic.
I am Dr Vaishalee, a pharmacologist.
Lung fibrosis is a known side effect of bleomycin. If the patient develops the symptoms, the drug should be withdrawn.
It accounts to negligence on part of treating doctor if they do not inform the patient of the potential side effects of the medicine or they do not follow their patient regularly. Doctors are also humans. Medicines have been developed in order to reduce the suffering, however they can cause adverse drug reactions. Some of these reactions are even fatal. Therefore benefits have to be weighed against the harm of the treatment especially in cases of cancer.
Research is ongoing to find safer treatments. Drugs that have been in market for a long time are thought to be safe. They may not be.
If you feel that the drug be withdrawn, please report the side effect to the FDA by going on their link:
XXXX
You can also ask your doctor to report the ADR to local pharmacovigilance center. You say that many people developed fibrosis. Please ask them also to report it.
We should take inspiration from the thalidomide tragedy. This drug was withdrawn due to combined effort of affected people.
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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