Bortezomib (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 6, 2022.

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Proteasome Inhibitor

Uses for bortezomib

Bortezomib injection is used to treat multiple myeloma (blood plasma cell cancer) in patients with or without a previous history of treatment, and mantle cell lymphoma.

Bortezomib is an antineoplastic agent (cancer medicine). It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by bortezomib, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, such as a skin rash, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.

Bortezomib is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using bortezomib

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking 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 or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of bortezomib injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of bortezomib injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of bortezomib than younger adults.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with 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 receiving bortezomib, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using bortezomib with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
• Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
• Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
• Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
• Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
• Zoster Vaccine, Live

Using bortezomib with any of the following medicines is usually not recom...