Introduction
Bleomycin is an antibiotic with cytotoxic properties, commonly used in
combination regimens for the treatment of Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma. In addition to its antitumor activity, bleomycin is used as a
sclerosant in the treatment of vascular malformations and in recurrent
malignant pleural effusions (1). Bleomycin is mixtures included
bleomycin A2, B2 and A5. Published protocols give bleomycin doses in
milligrams (mg), international units (IU), or United States
Pharmacopoeia units (USP units). Even though Jim Siderov has
noted that dosage nomenclature of bleomycin need to be standardised to
avoid errors in 2001 (2), the inconsistency in nomenclature seems to be
universal in many countries including China. This inconsistency
increases the risk of medication error. However, as far as we know no
cases have reported.
Here
we present a case report of accidental bleomycin overdose with injection
of bleomycin 150 USP (equivalent to ten times the common dose) as part
of the doxorubicin, bleomycin, vindesine, dacarbazine protocol (ABVD).
We present the following article in accordance with the CARE reporting
checklist.