Is Bosulif a chemotherapy drug?
Bosulif (bosutinib monohydrate) is used to treat cancer but is known as a targeted treatment because it inhibits specific kinases that promote the growth of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Targeted treatments differ from traditional chemotherapy agents because they only target specific proteins on a cell, rather than having an effect on all dividing cells, like traditional chemotherapy agents do.
Bosulif (bosutinib monohydrate) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults and children aged 1 year and older with newly-diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML (Ph+ CML). It is also approved to treat adults with CML who are no longer benefiting from other treatment options or can’t tolerate them.
References
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Bosulif. https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=884
- Paul MK, Mukhopadhyay AK. Tyrosine kinase - Role and significance in Cancer. Int J Med Sci. 2004;1(2):101-115. doi:10.7150/ijms.1.101.
- American Cancer Society. Targeted therapy? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/targeted-therapy.html#:~:text=Targeted%20therapy%20is%20a%20type,%2C%20surgery%2C%20or%20radiation%20therapy.
Read next
How does Bosulif work in chronic myeloid leukemia?
Bosulif is a targeted chemotherapy drug that works by stopping or slowing the growth of CML cells. It is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and works by inhibiting BCR-ABL kinase, as well as Src family kinases. Continue reading
What to avoid when taking Gleevec?
- Talk to your doctor about warnings, side effects, use in pregnancy and possible drug interactions with Gleevec.
- Take your Gleevec exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use Gleevec if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
- Take each tablet with a meal and large glass of water to help prevent stomach irritation.
- Do not use a broken Gleevec tablet. The medicine from a broken pill can be dangerous if it gets in your mouth, eyes, or nose, or on your skin.
- Do not use grapefruit products while taking Gleevec, unless okayed by your healthcare provider
- Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine may affect you. Use caution when driving as Gleevec may cause dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision.
Is there a generic for Gleevec?
Yes, there is a generic version of Gleevec known as imatinib. Imatinib comes in a 100-mg and 400-mg oral tablet. Generic imatinib was approved in the U.S. in Dec. 2015 and was first manufactured by Sun Pharmaceuticals. Today, there are multiple manufacturers that produce the generic version of Gleevec. Imkeldi, an oral solution of imatinib first approved in November 2024, does not yet have a generic option. Continue reading
See also:
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- How does Gleevec (imatinib) work?
- Is Sprycel a chemotherapy drug?
- Is Tasigna a form of chemotherapy?
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Drug information
- Bosulif Information for Consumers
- Bosulif prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Bosulif (detailed)
- Bosulif user reviews (8)
Related support groups
- Bosulif (2 questions, 9 members)
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) (15 questions, 115 members)