Velcade
Generic Name: bortezomib (bor TEZ oh mib)
Brand Names: Velcade
What is Velcade?
Velcade interferes with the growth of some cancer cells and keeps them from spreading in your body.
Velcade is used to treat multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. It is sometimes given after other cancer medications have been tried without successful treatment.
Velcade may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Velcade
FDA pregnancy category D. Velcade can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not receive Velcade without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.Velcade can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid becoming dehydrated if you have any vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, dry mouth, fainting, or hot and dry skin. Talk with your doctor about how best to keep yourself hydrated.
Velcade can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.Before receiving Velcade
Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
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an allergy to Velcade, boron, or mannitol;
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diabetes;
- liver disease;
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a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
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a low level of platelets or white or red blood cells;
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high or low blood pressure; or
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nerve problems such as burning, numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive Velcade.
FDA pregnancy category D. Velcade can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not receive Velcade without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Velcade passes into breast milk. Do not receive Velcade without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.How is Velcade given?
Velcade is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein.
You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection.Velcade is usually injected 2 times a week for 2 weeks, followed by 10 days without an injection. Velcade may also be given once a week for 4 weeks followed by 13 days without an injection.
Velcade can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you will miss an appointment for your Velcade injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much Velcade.Overdose symptoms may include weakness, fainting, and fast heartbeat.
What should I avoid while receiving Velcade?
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid becoming dehydrated if you have any vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, dry mouth, fainting, or hot and dry skin. Talk with your doctor about how best to keep yourself hydrated.
Velcade can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.Dizziness may be more likely to occur when rising from a sitting or lying position. Get up slowly to keep from falling.
Velcade side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:-
new or worsening nerve problems such as numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling;
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feeling light-headed, fainting;
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black, bloody, or tarry stools;
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vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds;
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easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
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fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
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feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
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urinating more or less than usual; or
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
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headache, weakness;
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blurred vision;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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cough or breathing problems; or
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skin irritation where the Velcade was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effect and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Velcade?
Tell your doctor if you use an oral (taken by mouth) medicine to treat diabetes. This includes chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta), metformin (Glucophage, Glucovance), rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet), pioglitazone (Actos), and others. Your dose of an oral diabetes medication may need to be adjusted when you start treatment with Velcade. Follow your doctor's instructions.
There may be other drugs not listed that can interact with Velcade. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about Velcade.
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Velcade 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.
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More Velcade resources:
Velcade - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
