Home > TREANDA for NHL > NHL Treatment > Side Effects

What side effects may occur while I am taking TREANDA?

While killing cancer cells, any treatment may also kill some healthy cells in the blood and in different parts of the body. That is what causes most side effects in patients treated with chemotherapy. While the side effects listed below have been seen in clinical studies, not all patients treated with chemotherapy will have them. That is why it is very important to talk to your doctor about your treatment and any symptoms you might have.

The most common non-blood-related side effects (occurring in ≥15% of patients) with TREANDA are nausea, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, pyrexia (fever), constipation, anorexia (loss of appetite), cough, headache, weight decreased, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), rash, and stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth).

The most common blood-related side effects (occurring in ≥15% of patients) with TREANDA are reduction of lymphoid cells in the blood (lymphopenia), low counts of leukocytes (white blood cells) (leukopenia), reduction of red blood cells (anemia), reduction of neutrophils (white blood cells) (neutropenia), and reduction of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia).

For more information on how you can take better care of yourself during treatment with TREANDA, please visit our Resources section for some tips in cancer care.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about any of the following:

Allergic reactions: Mild or serious allergic reactions can happen with TREANDA. Tell your doctor right away about any rash, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing during or soon after infusion because these symptoms may become severe or even life-threatening.

Myelosuppression: TREANDA may lower the number of white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. Your doctor will need to check these often. Tell your doctor right away about any shortness of breath, significant tiredness, bleeding, fever, or other signs, because these symptoms may be severe and even life-threatening.

Pregnancy and nursing: TREANDA can hurt a baby in the womb. Women should not become pregnant during treatment and for 3 months after TREANDA is stopped. Women who are partners of men using TREANDA should use reliable birth control during treatment and for 3 months after TREANDA therapy is stopped. Report any pregnancy right away. Do not nurse a baby while using TREANDA.

Fatigue: TREANDA may cause tiredness. Do not drive any vehicle or use any dangerous tools or machinery if you have this side effect.

Nausea and vomiting: TREANDA may cause nausea and/or vomiting. You should tell your healthcare provider about any nausea and vomiting so that you can get treatment for these symptoms.

Diarrhea: TREANDA may cause diarrhea. You should report diarrhea to your healthcare provider so that it can be treated.

Rash: A mild rash or itching may occur during treatment with TREANDA. Immediately report severe or worsening rash or itching to your doctor.

How can side effects be managed?

During treatment with TREANDA, your healthcare provider may do blood tests to find out if you are responding to treatment and if you have low blood counts that might affect how you are feeling. For example:

  • A low number of red blood cells may make you feel tired easily or short of breath
  • A low number of white blood cells may raise your chances of infection. If you have a fever or other signs of infection, such as chills or coughing, you should call your doctor right away
  • A low number of platelets will raise your chances of bleeding. Call your doctor if you have any kind of bleeding that is not normal for you

It is very important to tell your doctor or healthcare professional if you have any side effects during treatment. Taking an active role in your treatment will help make sure that you get the best possible effect from using TREANDA.

> Next page: FAQs

Indications

TREANDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Efficacy relative to first-line therapies other than chlorambucil has not been established.

TREANDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that has progressed during or within 6 months of treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen.

Important Safety Information

  • The most common non-blood-related side effects (occurring in ≥15% of patients) with TREANDA are nausea, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, pyrexia (fever), constipation, anorexia (loss of appetite), cough, headache, weight decreased, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), rash, and stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth)
  • The most common blood-related side effects (occurring in ≥15% of patients) with TREANDA are reduction of lymphoid cells in the blood, low counts of leukocytes (white blood cells), reduction of red blood cells, reduction of neutrophils (white blood cells) and reduction of blood platelets
  • Allergic Reactions: There is a possibility of mild or serious allergic reactions with TREANDA. Immediately report rash, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing during or soon after infusion because these symptoms may become severe or even life-threatening
  • Myelosuppression: TREANDA may cause a decrease in white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. You will need frequent monitoring of your blood cells. Report shortness of breath, significant fatigue, bleeding, fever, or other signs of infection because these symptoms may become severe or even life-threatening
  • Pregnancy and Nursing: TREANDA can cause fetal harm. Women should avoid becoming pregnant throughout treatment and for 3 months after TREANDA therapy has stopped. Men receiving TREANDA should use reliable contraception for the same time period. Report pregnancy immediately. Avoid nursing while receiving TREANDA
  • Fatigue: TREANDA may cause tiredness. Avoid driving any vehicle or operating any dangerous tools or machinery if you experience this side effect
  • Nausea and Vomiting: TREANDA may cause nausea and/or vomiting. You should report nausea and vomiting to your doctor so that you can get treatment for these symptoms
  • Diarrhea: TREANDA may cause diarrhea. You should report diarrhea to your doctor so that it can be treated
  • Rash: A mild rash or itching may occur during treatment with TREANDA. Immediately report severe or worsening rash or itching to your doctor
  • Some side effects may lead to the dose of TREANDA being lowered, stopped, or delayed
  • You should not take TREANDA if you have a known allergy to bendamustine or mannitol

Here's your chance to share your story. Enroll Today!

right arrow