Bendamustine
Say it: ben-duh-MUSS-teen · Brand names: Treanda, Bendeka, Belrapzo, Vivimusta
Bendamustine is a chemotherapy medicine that damages the DNA in cancer cells so they cannot grow.
What it is
Bendamustine sticks to the DNA inside cells and links the strands together. Cancer cells cannot copy themselves and die. It is often given with an antibody medicine called rituximab.
Often used for
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- slow-growing B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, such as follicular lymphoma
How you get it
Bendamustine is given through a vein (IV), over about 10 minutes to 1 hour depending on the brand. It is usually given on 2 days in a row, then repeated every 3 to 4 weeks. Your schedule may be different.
Common side effects and what helps
- Nausea and vomiting. Take your anti-nausea medicine as your team tells you.
- Feeling tired. Rest and short walks can help.
- Low blood counts, which raise your risk of infection and bleeding. Wash your hands often.
- Fever. Check your temperature if you feel warm or unwell.
- Rash or itchy skin. Use a gentle, unscented lotion and tell your team.
- Constipation or diarrhea. Drink fluids and tell your team if it lasts.
- Poor appetite. Try small meals.
Call your care team right away if you have
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills
- A rash that blisters, peels, or spreads, or sores in your mouth or eyes
- Trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a racing heart
- Pain, swelling, or redness where the IV went in
- Bleeding or bruising that will not stop, black or bloody stools, or blood in your urine
- New confusion, weakness, trouble seeing, or trouble walking
Before you start, tell your team
- If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- If you have ever had hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or other long-term infections
- If you have kidney or liver problems
- If you take allopurinol for gout or to protect your kidneys
- All the medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you take
Good to know
- You will have blood tests to check your blood counts.
- Infections can be serious. Your team may give medicines to prevent some infections and may test you for hepatitis B.
- Serious skin reactions can happen, especially with allopurinol. Report any rash.
- When many cancer cells die at once, they can strain the kidneys (tumor lysis). Drinking fluids helps.
- It can harm an unborn baby. Both women and men should use birth control during treatment and for a time after.
Questions to ask
- How many cycles will I get?
- Do I need medicine to prevent infections?
- Should I stop any of my current medicines, like allopurinol?
- What should I do if I get a rash?
Part of these treatment plans
Side effect guides
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Appetite loss and weight loss
- Low white blood cells and infection risk
- Low platelets and bleeding
- Skin rash (including EGFR-inhibitor rash)
Sources
Quick answers
- What is Bendamustine?
- Bendamustine is a chemotherapy medicine that damages the DNA in cancer cells so they cannot grow. Brand names: Treanda, Bendeka, Belrapzo, Vivimusta.
- What is Bendamustine used for?
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); slow-growing B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, such as follicular lymphoma.
- How is Bendamustine given?
- Bendamustine is given through a vein (IV), over about 10 minutes to 1 hour depending on the brand. It is usually given on 2 days in a row, then repeated every 3 to 4 weeks. Your schedule may be different.
- What are the common side effects of Bendamustine?
- Nausea and vomiting. Feeling tired. Low blood counts, which raise your risk of infection and bleeding. Fever. Rash or itchy skin. Constipation or diarrhea. Poor appetite.
- When should I call my care team while taking Bendamustine?
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills; A rash that blisters, peels, or spreads, or sores in your mouth or eyes; Trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a racing heart; Pain, swelling, or redness where the IV went in; Bleeding or bruising that will not stop, black or bloody stools, or blood in your urine; New confusion, weakness, trouble seeing, or trouble walking.
- Which chemotherapy plans include Bendamustine?
- IBR.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.