Bortezomib injection

What is this medication?

BORTEZOMIB (bor TEZ oh mib) targets proteins in cancer cells and stops the cancer cells from growing. It treats multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Velcade

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• dehydration
• diabetes (high blood sugar)
• heart disease
• liver disease
• tingling of the fingers or toes or other nerve disorder
• an unusual or allergic reaction to bortezomib, mannitol, boron, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is injected into a vein or under the skin. It is given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

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.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your health care provider if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What may interact with this medication?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• ketoconazole
• rifampin

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.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells

This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your health care provider 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.

Check with your health care provider if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid may make it dangerous for you to take this medicine.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for 7 months after stopping it. Women should inform their health care provider if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 4 months after stopping it. There is a potential for serious harm to an unborn child. Talk to your health care provider for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine or for 2 months after stopping it.

This medicine may make it more difficult to get pregnant or father a child. Talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about your fertility.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions (skin rash; itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
• bleeding (bloody or black, tarry stools; red or dark brown urine; spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bruising or bleeding from the eye, gums, or nose)
• blurred vision or changes in vision
• confusion
• constipation
• headache
• heart failure (trouble breathing; fast, irregular heartbeat; sudden weight gain; swelling of the ankles, feet, hands)
• infection (fever, chills, cough, sore throat, pain or trouble passing urine)
• lack or loss of appetite
• liver injury (dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; loss of appetite, right upper belly pain; yellowing of the eyes or skin)
• low blood pressure (dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired)
• muscle cramps
• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected
• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
• seizures
• trouble breathing
• unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• nausea
• stomach pain
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting

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.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medicine is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

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.