Treanda (bendamustine) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in certain adults. Treanda is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional. Its dosage varies depending on the condition being treated.
Treanda is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that’s slow growing and has worsened during or within 6 months of treatment with a medication containing rituximab (Rituxan)
Treanda belongs to a drug class called alkylating drugs. Treanda is available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Treanda, including its strengths and how you’ll receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at Treanda, see this article.
Note:This article describes typical dosages for Treanda provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Treanda dosage that’s right for you.
Read below for recommended dosages of Treanda and other details about the drug.
Treanda form
Treanda comes as a powder in a single-dose vial. The powder is mixed with a liquid to form a solution for IV infusion. You’ll be given the infusion by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic.
Treanda strengths
Treanda comes in two strengths: 25 milligrams (mg) per vial or 100 mg per vial.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed in adults. However, your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Doctors may prescribe Treanda to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Treanda’s dosage for CLL is based on a calculation called body surface area (BSA). Your doctor or pharmacist can calculate your BSA based on your weight and height. BSA is measured in square meters (m2). Treanda’s dosing is shown as a certain number of mg per m2 of BSA, for example, 20 mg/m2.
The recommended dose of Treanda for CLL is 100 mg/m2Your doctor may recommend receiving Treanda for up to six cycles.
For information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Treanda is also approved to help treat B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). It’s used to treat NHL that’s indolent (slow growing) and has worsened during or within 6 months of treatment with a medication containing rituximab (Rituxan).
The recommended dose of Treanda for NHL is based on a calculation called body surface area (BSA). Your doctor or pharmacist can calculate your BSA based on your weight and height. BSA is measured in m2. Treanda’s dosing is shown as a certain number of mg per m2 of BSA, for example, 20 mg/m2.
The recommended dose of Treanda for NHL is 120 mg/m2 If your BSA is 1.8 m2, your dose will be 216 mg. You’ll receive this dose on days 1 and 2 of a 21-day cycle. Your doctor may recommend receiving Treanda for up to eight cycles of treatment.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Long-term treatment
Treanda is not a long-term treatment option for CLL or NHL. Doctors prescribe Treanda for a maximum of six cycles for CLL and eight cycles for NHL. This means you’ll only receive Treanda infusions for a maximum of about 6 months.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Treanda.
The Treanda dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your weight
- your height
- the condition you’re receiving Treanda for
- side effects you may have with Treanda
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Treanda dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you experience serious side effects from Treanda.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have. They’ll monitor you throughout your treatment for any side effects to be sure that you’re receiving the most appropriate dose of Treanda.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you the IV infusion of Treanda.
You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, an infusion center, or a hospital to receive your infusion. If you have CLL, your infusion will take about 30 minutes. If you have NHL, your infusion will take about 60 minutes.
If you have questions about how you’ll receive Treanda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you miss your appointment for a Treanda infusion, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Treanda.
Is the dosage of Treanda similar to the dosage of Venclexta?
No, Treanda (bendamustine) and Venclexta (venetoclax) have different forms and recommended dosages. Treanda is a powder that’s mixed into a liquid and administered by a healthcare professional. It’s given as an intravenous infusion on days 1 and 2 of a 21-day or 28-day cycle. In comparison, Venclexta is available as a tablet that’s taken by mouth once per day.
The dose in mg for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
It’s important to note that Treanda is approved to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Venclexta is also approved to treat CLL but not NHL. However, Venclexta is approved to treat another form of cancer called acute myeloid leukemia.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Treanda to start working?
Treanda starts to work after you receive your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether Treanda is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Treanda treatment.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Treanda for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Treanda without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Treanda that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Treanda. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Treanda: For information about other aspects of Treanda, refer to this article.
- Details about cancers: For details about leukemia, see our leukemia hub. For details about different cancers, see our cancer hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.