Bosulif Side Effects

Generic name: bosutinib

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 25, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Bosulif.

Applies to bosutinib: oral tablet 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.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment with this medicine and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Bosutinib can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor right away if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

Check with your doctor right away if you are rapidly gaining weight, having chest pain, extreme tiredness or weakness, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, or excessive swelling of the face, hands, wrist, ankles, or feet. These may be symptoms of fluid retention (too much water in your body).

Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, pale stools or dark urine, loss of appetite, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or tightness, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, trouble breathing, weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious heart problem.

This medicine may cause serious kidney problem. Check with your doctor right away if you have agitation, coma, confusion, decreased urine output, depression, dizziness, headache, hostility, irritability, lethargy, muscle twitching, nausea, rapid weight gain, seizures, stupor, swelling of the face, ankles, or hands, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Cancer medicines can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain, even after receiving medicines to prevent it. Ask your doctor or nurse about ways to control these side effects.

Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Some men and women using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

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:

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:

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]

See also:

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