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What is VELCADE Used For?
VELCADE (bortezomib) is approved for the treatment of patients with
multiple myeloma (a cancer of the plasma cells).
VELCADE is also
approved for the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma (a
cancer of lymph nodes) who have already received other treatments.
How is VELCADE administered?
VELCADE is prescribed by a physician experienced in the use of
medications to treat cancer. It is administered as an injection into
your vein (IV) by a health care professional.
Who Should Not Receive VELCADE?
Before you receive treatment with VELCADE, tell your doctor about all of
your medical conditions. You should not receive VELCADE if you are:
- allergic to bortezomib, boron or mannitol
- pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- breastfeeding. Discuss with your doctor when it is safe to restart
breastfeeding after finishing your treatment.
The effects of VELCADE in children have not been evaluated.
What are the Possible Side Effects of VELCADE?
VELCADE can cause serious side effects including:
- Neutropenia (low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood
cell) and Thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets). VELCADE
can cause low levels of white blood cells (infection fighting cells)
and/or platelets (clot-forming cells). You will have regular blood tests
to check your cell counts during your treatment with VELCADE. If the
number of these cells is very low, your doctor may change the dose
and/or 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. There have been cases of bleeding in the stomach,
bowels and brain during treatment with VELCADE.
- Gastrointestinal Problems. VELCADE treatment can
cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. If your symptoms are
severe, your doctor may recommend IV fluids and/or medications.
- Peripheral neuropathy. VELCADE can cause damage to
the nerves, a condition called peripheral neuropathy. You may feel
muscle weakness, tingling, burning, pain, and loss of feeling in your
hands and feet, any of which can be severe. Tell your doctor if you
notice any of these symptoms. Your doctor may change the dose and/or
schedule of VELCADE or stop it altogether.
- Low blood pressure. VELCADE can cause a drop in blood
pressure. Tell your doctor if you have low blood pressure, feel dizzy or
feel as though you might faint. If you are taking drugs that lower blood
pressure, your medications might need to be adjusted. If you are not
drinking enough liquids, your doctor may need to administer IV fluids.
- Heart problems. VELCADE treatment can cause or worsen
heart rhythm problems and heart failure. Your doctor may closely monitor
you if you have, or are at risk for, heart disease. Tell your doctor if
you experience chest pressure or pain, palpitations, swelling of your
ankles or feet, or shortness of breath.
- Lung Disorders. There have been reports of lung
disorders in patients receiving VELCADE. Some of these events have been
fatal. Tell your doctor if you experience any cough, shortness of
breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing.
- Liver disease. If you have liver problems, it can be harder for your body to get rid of VELCADE. VELCADE has caused sudden liver failure in patients who were taking many medications or had other serious medical conditions. Symptoms of liver problems include a yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin (jaundice) and changes in liver enzymes measured in blood tests. Your doctor will closely monitor you if you have liver disease. In patients with moderate or severe liver disease, VELCADE should be started at a lower dose. Additional dose adjustments may be made based on your tolerance of the drug.
- Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS). TLS can occur with cancer
treatments and your doctor will be monitoring blood and urine for any
signs of this syndrome. If you develop TLS, your doctor will take
appropriate steps to treat it.
- Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS).
There have been reports of a rare, reversible condition
involving the brain called RPLS in patients treated with VELCADE.
Patients with RPLS can have seizures, high blood pressure, headaches,
tiredness, confusion, blindness or other vision problems. VELCADE
treatment should be stopped in cases of RPLS.
The most common side effects seen in patients receiving VELCADE include:
thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, nausea, peripheral neuropathy, neuralgia
(nerve pain), pyrexia (high temperature), diarrhea, anemia, leukopenia
(low levels of white blood cells), decreased appetite, fatigue,
constipation, vomiting, dehydration, dyspnea (difficulty breathing),
cough, asthenia (low energy), insomnia (trouble sleeping), peripheral
edema (swelling of the limbs), and headache.
What other information should you discuss with your doctor?
You should also tell your doctor if you:
- have kidney disease. If you are on dialysis, your doctor will
administer VELCADE after the dialysis procedure.
- are taking medication for diabetes. VELCADE can affect your blood
glucose levels. Your doctor may require close monitoring of your blood
glucose levels and change the dose of your diabetes medicine while you
are being treated with VELCADE.
- have liver disease.
- are using medicines like ketoconazole (an anti-fungal) and ritonavir
(an anti-viral), which will require close monitoring during treatment
with VELCADE.
- are using any other medications (including over the counter drugs),
herbal or dietary supplements, or holistic treatments.
- develop a rash of any type while receiving VELCADE.
The side effects of VELCADE may impair your ability to drive or operate
machinery.
These are not all of the possible side effects with VELCADE. It is
important to always contact your doctor if you experience any side
effects while on VELCADE. If you have any questions about VELCADE,
contact your doctor.
Please see the
full Prescribing Information for VELCADE including
warnings and precautions.
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