Document View > Bortezomib (Injection) (Injectable)

Bortezomib (Injection) (Injectable)

(VELCADE)
Bortezomib (By injection)
Bortezomib (bor-TEZ-oh-mib)Treats multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.
Velcade

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to bortezomib, boron, or mannitol, or if you are pregnant.

How to Use This Medicine:
Injectable

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into a vein.
  • You may also receive medicine to help prevent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Ask your doctor if you should drink extra water while you use this medicine. This could help you avoid feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
  • Missed dose: This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Some foods and medicines can affect how bortezomib works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following:
    • Ketoconazole, rifampin, ritonavir, St John's wort
    • Blood pressure medicine, insulin or diabetes medicine that you take by mouth

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart disease, heart failure, low blood pressure or a history of fainting, diabetes, or herpes virus infection.
  • This medicine may cause the following problems:
    • New or worsening peripheral neuropathy (nerve problems)
    • Serious heart or lung problems
    • Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
    • Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)
  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you are dizzy.
  • Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
  • Cancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.
  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful or difficult urination
  • Chest pain, or fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
  • Confusion or seizures
  • Dark urine or pale stools, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
  • Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or constipation
  • Sudden or severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or walking
  • Swelling in your face, arms, legs, ankles, or feet, rapid weight gain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Mild diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or vomiting
  • Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088