Bortezomib (Systemic)

Brand Names : Velcade

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For bortezomib, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to bortezomib, boron or mannitol. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - There is a chance that this medicine may cause birth defects if it is taken by the mother during pregnancy. Studies in rats and rabbits have shown that bortezomib causes birth defects in the fetus and other problems including miscarriage. However, this medicine may be needed in serious diseases or other situations that threaten the mothers life.

Be sure that you have discussed these possible effects with your doctor before receiving this medicine. Before receiving bortezomib make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant. It is best to use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving bortezomib. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while receiving bortezomib.

Breast-feeding - Because bortezomib may cause serious side effects in the breast-fed baby, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving this medicine.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of bortezomib in children with use in other age groups.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking bortezomib, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Amiodarone, (e.g., Cordarone) or
• Antivirals, (e.g., Stavudine) or
• Isoniazid, (e.g.; Nydrazid) or
• Nitrofurantoin, (e.g., Macrodantin, Macrobid) or
• Statins (e.g., Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor) - Use of these medicines with bortezomib may increase the chance of peripheral neuropathy (tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in your hands and feet)

• Antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine) - May increase the chances of low blood pressure (hypotension)

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine).

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of bortezomib. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Dehydration or
  Syncope, history of - may cause orthostatic/postural hypotension

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease - Higher blood levels of bortezomib may result and a smaller dose may be needed

• Peripheral neuropathy - bortezomib may make the symptoms worse or cause new symptoms