Treanda (bendamustine) can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. More common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. If side effects from Treanda become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options.

Treanda is used in adults to treat certain types of:

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Treanda can cause. To learn more about this drug, including its uses, dosage, and cost, read this Treanda overview.

Treanda can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult for you to tolerate.

The following lists contain a few of the more common side effects reported by people who received Treanda in studies. Side effects of this drug can vary depending on the condition being treated.

When receiving Treanda for CLL

More common side effects in people receiving Treanda for CLL include:

  • blood disorders
  • fever
  • nausea and vomiting

When receiving Treanda for NHL

More common side effects in people receiving Treanda for NHL include:

  • blood disorders
  • nausea and vomiting
  • fatigue
  • diarrhea

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

Mild side effects have been reported with Treanda. These can vary depending on the condition being treated.

When receiving Treanda for CLL

Mild side effects in people receiving Treanda for CLL include:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea (see “Tips for managing side effects”)
  • fever
  • fatigue
  • chills
  • weight loss
  • cough
  • skin rash
  • itchiness

When receiving Treanda for NHL

Mild side effects in people receiving Treanda for NHL include:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • fatigue
  • fever
  • abdominal pain
  • weakness
  • headache
  • loss of appetite
  • cough

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop Treanda treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Treanda may cause mild side effects other than those listed. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Treanda may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Treanda’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects during your Treanda treatment, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while receiving Treanda and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Treanda can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Treanda treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Treanda, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

During your Treanda treatment, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects, they do not go away, or they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.

Blood disorders

Blood disorders were a common side effect reported in studies of Treanda. These include:

  • anemia (low level of red blood cells)
  • leukopenia (low level of white blood cells)
  • neutropenia (low level of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell)
  • lymphocytopenia (low level of white blood cells known as lymphocytes)
  • thrombocytopenia (low level of platelets)

These blood disorders can cause symptoms such as:

  • fatigue
  • shortness of breath
  • skin or gums that are paler than usual
  • fever
  • sore throat
  • cough
  • painful urination
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • nosebleeds

Due to these risks, your doctor will likely monitor your blood cell levels closely during your Treanda treatment. If you develop any possible symptoms of a blood disorder, tell your doctor right away. They may delay your Treanda dose or switch you to a different medication.

Steps you can take to help manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • drinking plenty of fluids
  • getting adequate rest
  • eating foods that are rich in vitamin C

Headache

Headache was a common side effect reported in studies of Treanda. Steps you can take to help manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications
  • practicing relaxation techniques,mindfulness, or meditation
  • staying hydrated
  • limiting alcohol consumption
  • getting adequate sleep

Diarrhea

Diarrhea was a common side effect reported in studies of Treanda. Steps you can take to help manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

Treanda may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How long do Treanda side effects last? Does Treanda cause long-term side effects?

How long the drug’s side effects last can vary, and in some cases, they can be long term.

Most side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. However, Treanda may cause some long-term side effects. These include those that may start at any time during treatment with a drug, even if you’ve been receiving it for a long time. It also includes side effects that may not go away, even after you stop treatment with the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported in Treanda’s studies include:

  • other cancers
  • liver problems
  • severe skin reactions
  • blood disorders
  • infections

Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible side effects of Treanda and how long they may last.

Can Treanda cause hair loss?

It’s not likely. Hair loss wasn’t reported as a side effect in studies of Treanda.

Although hair loss can occur with some chemotherapy drugs, it doesn’t seem to occur with Treanda.

If you’re concerned about hair loss with Treanda, talk with your doctor.

Consider the following important information before starting Treanda.

Precautions

Before starting Treanda, discuss your health history with your doctor. Treanda may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • current or past infections
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.