Velcade

Pronunciation: bor-TEZ-oh-mib
Generic Name: Bortezomib
Brand Name: Velcade

Velcade is used for:

Treating certain types of cancer (eg, mantle cell lymphoma, multiple myeloma). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Velcade is an antineoplastic (cancer chemotherapy) medicine. It works by blocking certain proteins within the cancer cell, causing the cell to die. This helps to slow the growth and spread of the cancer.

Do NOT use Velcade if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Velcade, or to boron or mannitol


• you are taking rifampin or St. John's wort

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Velcade:

Some medical conditions may interact with Velcade. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of liver problems, a low white blood cell count, low blood platelets, peripheral neuropathy (numbness, pain, or burning sensations in the hands or feet), heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), low blood pressure, diabetes, lung problems, or herpes infection (eg, genital herpes, shingles, cold sores)


• if you are dehydrated, are on dialysis, or have a history of fainting

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Velcade. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Diabetes medicines (eg, glyburide, metformin) because the risk of high or low blood sugar may be increased


• Alpha-blockers (eg, terazosin), medicines for high blood pressure, or any other medicines that may lower your blood pressure because the risk of low blood pressure and fainting may be increased. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may lower your blood pressure


• Ketoconazole or ritonavir because they may increase the risk of Velcade's side effects


• Rifampin or St. John's wort because they may decrease Velcade's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Velcade may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Velcade:

Use Velcade as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Velcade. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Velcade is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.


• Velcade is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Velcade if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• It is very important that each dose is given at the scheduled time. If you miss a dose of Velcade, contact your doctor right away to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Velcade.

Important safety information:

• Velcade may cause dizziness, fatigue, fainting, or vision changes. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Velcade with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Velcade may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Velcade may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Use caution with sharp objects like safety razors or nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower your chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured.


• Velcade may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Contact your doctor if you develop a feeling of tingling, numbness, pain, burning, or weakness in the arms or legs. Your dose may need to be changed.


• Carry an ID card at all times that says you take Velcade.


• If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions. Contact your doctor right away if you experience dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.


• Diabetes patients - Velcade may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Women of childbearing age should avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with Velcade. Be sure to use effective birth control while using Velcade.


• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Velcade. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Velcade should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Velcade may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Velcade while you are pregnant. It is not known if Velcade is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Velcade.

Possible side effects of Velcade:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back, bone, or joint pain; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; mild muscle pain or aches; nausea; stomach pain or upset; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black or bloody stools; blurred vision, vision loss, or other vision changes; burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in the hands or feet; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; dehydration; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; mental or mood changes (including thoughts of suicide); one-sided weakness; seizures; severe or persistent diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, or stomach pain; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; severe or persistent muscle pain, cramping, or weakness; severe or persistent tiredness or weakness; shortness of breath; signs of an infection (chills, cough, fever, persistent sore throat); sluggishness; slurred speech; sudden weight gain; swelling or pain in the ankles, feet, or legs; unusual bruising or bleeding; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Velcade side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe or persistent dizziness; unusual bruising or bleeding.

Proper storage of Velcade:

Velcade is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Velcade at home, store Velcade as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Velcade out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Velcade, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Velcade is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Velcade. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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 Consumer Overview


• Velcade Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Velcade Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Bortezomib Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

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