Velcade

Generic Name: bortezomib
Other Brand Names: bortezomib

What is bortezomib?

Bortezomib interferes with the growth of some cancer cells and keeps them from spreading in your body.

Bortezomib is used to treat multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.

Bortezomib is sometimes given after other cancer medications have been tried without successful treatment.

Bortezomib may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bortezomib?

Before using bortezomib, tell your doctor if you have:

  • an allergy to bortezomib, boron, or mannitol;

  • diabetes;

  • liver disease;

  • kidney disease;

  • a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

  • a low level of platelets or white or red blood cells;

  • high or low blood pressure; or

  • nerve problems such as burning, numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling.

You may not be able to take bortezomib, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use bortezomib without your doctor’s consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

It is not known whether bortezomib passes into breast milk. Do not take bortezomib without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take bortezomib?

Bortezomib is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine is usually injected 2 times a week for 2 weeks, followed by 10 days without an injection. Bortezomib may also be given once a week for 4 weeks followed by 13 days without an injection.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Bortezomib can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose of bortezomib?

Call your doctor for instructions.

Where can I get more information about bortezomib?
Your pharmacist has information about bortezomib written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of bortezomib?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • new or worsening nerve problems such as numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling;

  • feeling light-headed, fainting;

  • black, bloody, or tarry stools;

  • vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds;

  • easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

  • feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

  • urinating more or less than usual; or

  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;

  • headache, weakness;

  • blurred vision;

  • sleep problems (insomnia);

  • cough or breathing problems; or

  • skin irritation where the medicine was injected.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about bortezomib?

Do not use this medication without your doctor’s consent if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Bortezomib can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.

Avoid becoming dehydrated if you have any vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, dry mouth, fainting, or hot and dry skin. Talk with your doctor about how best to keep yourself hydrated.

Bortezomib can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What should I avoid while taking bortezomib?

Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.

Avoid becoming dehydrated if you have any vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, dry mouth, fainting, or hot and dry skin. Talk with your doctor about how best to keep yourself hydrated.

Bortezomib can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when rising from a sitting or lying position. Get up slowly to keep from falling.

What other drugs will affect bortezomib?

Tell your doctor if you use an oral (taken by mouth) medicine to treat diabetes. This includes chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta), metformin (Glucophage, Glucovance), rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet), pioglitazone (Actos), and others. Your dose of an oral diabetes medication may need to be adjusted when you start using bortezomib. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect bortezomib. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I have an overdose of bortezomib?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a bortezomib overdose may include weakness, fainting, and fast heartbeat.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008