Bosutinib treats chronic myelogenous leukemia, which works to stop cancer cells from growing. This type of cancer starts in the blood-forming cells of your bone marrow. This medication comes in a tablet form that you can take with water and food as directed. Don’t take this medication with grapefruit juice.
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BOSUTINIB (boe SUE ti nib) treats leukemia. It works by blocking a protein that causes cancer cells to grow and multiply. This helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.
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This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Bosulif
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
Take this medication by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Do not cut, crush, or chew this medication. Swallow the tablets whole. Take it with food. Your care team may change your dose or tell you to stop taking this medication if you get side effects. Do not change your dose or stop taking it unless your care team tells you to.
Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice.
Take products with antacids in them at a different time of day than this medication. Take these products 2 hours before or 2 hours after this medication.
Each bottle contains tablets and a drying agent (desiccant) to keep the tablets dry. Keep the drying agent in the bottle. Do not eat it.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children as young as 1 year for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
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Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can unless it is less than 12 hours before the next dose. If it is less than 12 hours before the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at the normal time.
Other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all of the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. It may be some time before you see the benefit from this medication.
You may need blood work while taking this medication.
This medication may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your care team if you notice any unusual bleeding.
This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy or for 2 weeks after the last dose. A negative pregnancy test is required to before starting this medication. A reliable form of contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 2 weeks after the last dose. Talk to your care team about reliable forms of contraception.
Do not breast-feed while taking this medication and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
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Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep the container tightly closed. Do not throw out the packet in the container. It keeps the medication dry. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:
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NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.