Bosulif Side Effects

Generic name: bosutinib

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 21, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Bosulif Side Effects associated with bosutinib. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Bosulif.

Applies to bosutinib: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Bosulif

Along with its needed effects, bosutinib (the active ingredient contained in Bosulif) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking bosutinib:

More common side effects

• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• chest tightness
• chills
• cough
• difficult or labored breathing
• fever
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• sore throat
• swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• trouble breathing
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

• agitation
• chest pain or discomfort
• clay-colored stools
• cough with mucus
• confusion
• dark urine
• decreased appetite
• decreased urination
• depression
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fainting
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• hoarseness
• hostility
• increased sweating
• increased thirst
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness or swelling
• lightheadedness
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches, pains, or twitching
• nausea
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• rapid breathing
• rapid weight gain
• redness of the skin
• runny nose
• seizures
• shivering
• sneezing
• stomach pain or tenderness
• sunken eyes
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• thirst
• trouble sleeping
• trouble swallowing
• vomiting
• weakness or heaviness of the legs
• wrinkled skin

Rare side effects

• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating
• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• chest pain, possibly moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder
• constipation
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• difficult, noisy breathing
• indigestion
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
• red, irritated eyes
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• sudden, severe chest pain
• sudden weakness in arms or legs

Other side effects of Bosulif

Some side effects of bosutinib may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• back pain
• difficulty with moving
• lack or loss of strength
• muscle stiffness
• stuffy nose

Less common side effects

• blemishes on the skin
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• change in taste
• hearing loss
• loss of taste
• muscle cramping
• pimples
• ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in the ears that continues
• stomach upset

Rare side effects

• flaking and falling off of the skin

For healthcare professionals

Applies to bosutinib: oral capsule, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were diarrhea, nausea, thrombocytopenia, vomiting, abdominal pain, rash, anemia, pyrexia, and fatigue.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Pericardial effusion, chest pain, prolonged QT interval
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pericarditis^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Low platelet count (less than 50 × 10(9)/L, up to 57%), thrombocytopenia (up to 40%), absolute neutrophil count (less than 1 × 10(9)/L, up to 37%), Low hemoglobin (less than 80 g/L, up to 35%), anemia (up to 27%), neutropenia (16%), leukopenia (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Febrile neutropenia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Granulocytopenia
• Frequency not reported: Myelosuppression^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Increased alanine aminotransferase (up to 22%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (up to 18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Increased bilirubin [greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal (3 x ULN)], hepatotoxicity, abnormal hepatic function, increased gamma-glutamyltransferase
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Liver injury
• Frequency not reported: Hepatic toxicity^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 84%), nausea (up to 46%), abdominal pain (up to 40%), vomiting (up to 37%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Increased lipase (greater than 2 × ULN), gastritis, increased blood amylase
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage
• Frequency not reported: Gastrointestinal toxicity^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (up to 34%), pruritus (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Urticaria, pruritus, acne
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema multiforme, exfoliative rash, drug eruption^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Drug hypersensitivity
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anaphylactic shock^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (up to 20%), nasopharyngitis (up to 12%), respiratory tract infection (up to 12%), dyspnea (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, influenza, bronchitis, pleural effusion
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acute pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (up to 13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkalemia, dehydration
• Frequency not reported: Fluid retention^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (up to 14%), back pain (up to 12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 20%), dizziness (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dysgeusia^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 26%), pyrexia (up to 22%), edema (up to 14%), asthenia (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Low phosphorus (less than 0.6 mmol/L), tinnitus, pain, increased blood creatine phosphokinase^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased blood creatinine
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acute renal failure, renal failure, renal impairment^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• How does Bosulif work in chronic myeloid leukemia?
• Is Bosulif a chemotherapy drug?

Further information

Bosulif side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer