Generic Name: bortezomib (bor TEZ oh mib)
Brand Names: Velcade
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 not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about bortezomib?
Do not use bortezomib if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Bortezomib can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding injury. Tell your doctor at once 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.
This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving bortezomib?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to bortezomib, mannitol, or boron.
To make sure you can safely receive bortezomib, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
diabetes;
liver disease;
kidney disease, or if you are on dialysis;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
a low level of platelets or white or red blood cells;
heart disease, congestive heart failure;
herpes or a history of shingles;
high or low blood pressure; or
nerve problems such as numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use bortezomib if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether bortezomib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using bortezomib.
How is bortezomib given?
Bortezomib is injected into a vein through an IV.
You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Bortezomib 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. Follow your doctor's instructions about your individual dosing schedule.
Bortezomib can lower 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. Your blood may need to be tested often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you will miss an appointment for your bortezomib injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose may cause weakness, bruising or bleeding, pinpoint red spots on your skin, and fainting.
What should I avoid while receiving bortezomib?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
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.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Bortezomib side effects
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 a serious side effect such as:
new or worsening nerve problems such as numbness, burning, pain, weakness, or tingly feeling;
feeling like you might pass out;
dry cough and trouble breathing;
severe headache, vision problems, confusion, and/or seizure (convulsions);
black, bloody, or tarry stools, vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds;
severe constipation;
easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
red bumps, spreading skin rash, painful skin lesions on your arms, face, or neck;
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, lower back pain, blood in your urine;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
muscle weakness, tightness, or contraction, overactive reflexes; or
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;
diarrhea, constipation, bloating;
headache, mild dizziness;
muscle pain, bone or joint pain;
sleep problems (insomnia);
mild rash or itching; or
skin irritation where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect bortezomib?
Many drugs can interact with bortezomib. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:
dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol);
rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin);
St. John's wort;
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketex);
an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig), or voriconazole (Vfend);
an antidepressant such as nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton);
diabetes medicine you take by mouth (your dose may need to be adjusted when your bortezomib treatment starts);
HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva, Atripla), etravirine (Intelence), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra);
medicines to treat narcolepsy, such as armodafanil (Nuvigil) or modafanil (Progivil); or
seizure medicine such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), or phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with bortezomib. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Velcade resources
- Velcade Side Effects (in more detail)
- Velcade Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Velcade Drug Interactions
- Velcade Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Velcade - Add your own review/rating
- Velcade Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Velcade Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Velcade Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Velcade Consumer Overview
- Velcade MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Bortezomib Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Velcade with other medications
- Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about bortezomib.
See also: Velcade side effects (in more detail)
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