bortezomib

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

Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What is bortezomib?

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

Bortezomib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving bortezomib?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;
• high or low blood pressure;
• heart disease, congestive heart failure;
• headache, confusion, thinking problems, weakness, vision loss, seizure;
• a low level of platelets or low white or red blood cell counts;
• skin rash or herpes zoster (also called shingles);
• lung disease, or breathing problems;
• diabetes;
• if you are dehydrated;
• liver disease; or
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

• If you are a woman, you may need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use birth control while using this medicine and for at least 7 months after your last dose.
• If you are a man, use birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 4 months after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs.

Pregnancy may be less likely to occur while the mother or the father is using this medicine. Both men and women should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because the medicine can harm an unborn baby.

How is bortezomib given?

Bortezomib is injected into a vein or under your skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

You may be given medication to prevent nausea or vomiting while you are receiving bortezomib.

You may need frequent medical tests and your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

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 medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

What are the possible side effects of bortezomib?

Bortezomib may cause a brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Tell your doctor if you have problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement. These symptoms can get worse quickly.

• headache, confusion, thinking problems, weakness, vision loss, seizure, a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• pain, bruising, swelling, or irritation where the medicine was injected;
• severe or ongoing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, stomach pain;
• fever with shortness of breath or trouble breathing;
• dehydration --dizziness, confusion, feeling very thirsty, less urination;
• low blood cell counts --fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• liver problems --loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• heart problems --swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; or
• signs of tumor cell breakdown --tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fast or slow heart rate, tingling in your hands and feet or around your mouth.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects may include:

• numbness, burning pain, or tingly feeling;
• loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• fever, chills, cold or flu symptoms;
• low blood cell counts;
• skin rash; or
• feeling tired.

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?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Many drugs can affect bortezomib. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about bortezomib.

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.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 12.01. Revision date: 5/17/2023.