Your healthcare team may be able to help you manage side effects, which may help you stay on VELCADE® (bortezomib)
- When starting treatment, be sure to talk with your doctor about any other health conditions you have or medications you're taking. While you're receiving VELCADE (bortezomib), it's important to speak up about how you feel
- If you have any side effects with VELCADE, it's important to tell your doctor or nurse right away
- Your healthcare team might decide to change your dose or schedule of VELCADE to help manage side effects. This may help you stay on VELCADE
When to contact your healthcare team
How well you and your healthcare team talk with each other is one of the most important parts of treatment. But talking with your doctor or nurse isn't always easy. It takes time and effort on your part as well as your healthcare team's.
It is important to tell your healthcare team if you are experiencing any side effects. Be sure to tell them about all the medications you may be taking, including over-the-counter medicines and herbal products.
Your doctor may prescribe medicines to help lessen or even avoid some side effects. He or she may decide to give you VELCADE (bortezomib) subcutaneously (an injection), lower your dose of VELCADE, or, in some cases, stop treatment with VELCADE.
You should call the doctor or healthcare team if you have any of the following:
Fever or chills
Bruising or bleeding
Persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Shortness of breath or cough that gets worse
Development of jaundice (yellow color to the eyes and skin)
Dizziness, feeling of being light-headed, or fainting spells
Reduced eyesight or blurred vision
An increase or decrease in blood pressure
Swelling of feet, ankles, or legs
Changes in blood sugar levels if you have diabetes
Rash
Tingling or numbness of hands or feet
Any other symptoms out of the ordinary or changes in your medical condition
If you are having dizziness, fatigue, or fainting spells, you should not drive or operate machinery. If you are vomiting or having diarrhea, you should remember to drink adequate amounts of liquids to avoid dehydration. When you're in doubt about any symptoms you might be having, call your doctor or nurse.
Fatigue
Fatigue is the feeling of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion. It is commonly associated with symptoms of multiple myeloma and treatment side effects.
If you experience fatigue, talk with your doctor or healthcare team
- Your doctor may be able to identify and treat the underlying cause of fatigue, such as anemia or malnourishment
- Your doctor can prescribe medications to make you feel less tired or more awake
- Behavioral modification and exercise can help improve mood and sleeping difficulties, resulting in more energy
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a tingling or numbness in the hands, arms, feet, or legs. It may be caused by your treatment and can progress to discomfort, pain, muscle weakness, or a burning sensation. In some cases, it can be severe.
- Report these symptoms immediately to your doctor or nurse, who may be able to help you manage them
- Your doctor may give you medications to relieve symptoms or lower your dose of VELCADE (bortezomib)
- Your doctor may also interrupt your treatment until your symptoms get better, or may stop treatment with VELCADE
If you already have peripheral neuropathy or are at high risk, ask your doctor about subcutaneous VELCADE (VELCADE given as a shot).
Subcutaneous VELCADE is associated with fewer and less severe peripheral neuropathy symptoms than
intravenous VELCADE.
- In a study of 222 patients, peripheral neuropathy rates were 37% with subcutaneous VELCADE versus 50% with intravenous VELCADE for all levels of severity
- For more severe cases, peripheral neuropathy rates were 6% with subcutaneous VELCADE and 15% with
intravenous VELCADE
Ask your doctor for everyday strategies for relieving peripheral neuropathy symptoms.
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
VELCADE (bortezomib) can cause a drop in blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you have low blood pressure. Also mention if you feel dizzy, feel as though you might faint, or feel light-headed upon rising. If you are taking drugs that lower blood pressure, your medications might need to be adjusted. If you are not drinking enough liquids, your healthcare team may need to give you fluids intravenously. If you have dizziness or fainting, don’t drive or operate machinery.
Heart problems
Treatment with VELCADE (bortezomib) can cause heart rhythm problems and heart failure, or make them worse. Your healthcare team may closely monitor you if you have heart disease or are at risk for it. Tell your healthcare team if you have chest pressure or pain; palpitations (rapid heartbeat); swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or shortness of breath.
Lung disorders or problems
There have been reports of lung disorders in patients receiving VELCADE (bortezomib). Some of these events have been fatal. Tell your healthcare team if you have any cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
Liver disease or problems
If you have liver problems, it can be harder for your body to process VELCADE (bortezomib). VELCADE has caused sudden liver failure in patients who were taking many medications or who had other serious medical conditions. Symptoms of liver problems include a yellow color to eyes and skin (jaundice) and changes in liver enzymes (measured with blood tests).
Your healthcare team will closely monitor you if you have liver disease. In patients who have moderate or severe liver disease, VELCADE should be started at a lower dose. More dose adjustments may be made based on tolerance to the drug.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
There have been reports of a rare condition (called PRES) involving the brain in patients treated with VELCADE (bortezomib). It has, however, been reversible. Patients with PRES can have seizures, high blood pressure, headaches, tiredness, confusion, blindness, or other vision problems. If PRES occurs, treatment with VELCADE should be stopped.
Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting (gastrointestinal problems)
Gastrointestinal problems (nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting) are generally mild to moderate. Most symptoms may be managed with medications, although some may be more serious. If you have these symptoms, ask your healthcare team about medications that you can take to help prevent these side effects.
Some ways to cope with nausea and vomiting:
- Avoid big meals. Instead, eat small meals and snacks throughout the day
- Eat and drink slowly
- Wear loose-fitting clothing
- Drink cool, clear liquids
- Avoid greasy, spicy, or heavily flavored foods
- Try drinking ginger ale, which may help with nausea
Some ways to cope with diarrhea:
- Eat frequent, small meals
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Avoid fiber, sweets, and greasy, spicy foods
- Drink plenty of water so that your body will have enough fluids
- Eat foods high in potassium, like bananas, potatoes, and oranges
Low levels of neutrophils and leukocytes, which are types of white blood cells (neutropenia and leukopenia) and low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia)
VELCADE (bortezomib) can cause low levels of white blood cells (cells that fight infection) and/or platelets (cells that form clots).
- You will have regular blood tests to check your cell counts during your treatment with VELCADE
- During your treatment cycle, there is a period (usually 10 days) when no VELCADE, melphalan, or prednisone is received. During that time, both platelets and neutrophils generally return to their original levels
- If the number of these platelets and neutrophils is very low, your doctor may change the dose and/or the schedule of VELCADE
- If your white blood cells become low, you can be at higher risk for infections. Tell your doctor if you develop a fever or believe you have an infection
- If platelets become very low, there is an increased risk of bleeding. Your doctor may recommend a platelet transfusion
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)
TLS is a condition that can occur after cancer treatment. As tumor cells die, they break apart and cause changes in certain chemicals in the blood. This could cause damage to your kidneys and heart. Your healthcare team will routinely monitor your blood and urine for signs of TLS. If you develop TLS, your doctor will take steps to treat it.
A low level of red blood cells (anemia)
Anemia (a low level of red blood cells) may occur during treatment with VELCADE (bortezomib). Red blood cells carry oxygen. A low number of red blood cells may lead to symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, bleeding, or fatigue (tiredness). Your doctor may decide to treat anemia with medication or a blood transfusion.
A painful, itchy rash usually located in an area on one side of the body (herpes zoster)
Herpes zoster or shingles (a painful, itchy rash usually located in an area on one side of the body) may develop during treatment with VELCADE (bortezomib). Patients with multiple myeloma have a higher risk for developing it because their immune system is weakened. Your doctor might suggest taking an antiviral medication to help decrease your risk for this condition.
Fever (pyrexia)
Fever (pyrexia) may occur after VELCADE (bortezomib) is administered. A cause of fever may be infections.
Some ways to avoid infections and fever:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid crowds
- Clean cuts and scrapes immediately with warm water and soap
- Take a shower or bath daily
If you experience a fever or infection, contact your healthcare team.
Decreased appetite (anorexia)
Decreased appetite (anorexia) is a condition that may result from taking VELCADE (bortezomib). Drinking more fluids can help prevent dehydration (too much loss of body fluids). Eating frequent small meals may also help.