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In this Article

• What is bortezomib (Velcade)?
• What are the possible side effects of bortezomib (Velcade)?
• What is the most important information I should know about bortezomib (Velcade)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving bortezomib (Velcade)?
• How is bortezomib given (Velcade)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Velcade)?
• What happens if I overdose (Velcade)?
• What should I avoid while receiving bortezomib (Velcade)?
• What other drugs will affect bortezomib (Velcade)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Velcade)?

Call your doctor for instructions if you will miss an appointment for your bortezomib injection.

What happens if I overdose (Velcade)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Overdose may cause weakness, bruising or bleeding, pinpoint red spots on your skin, and fainting.

What should I avoid while receiving bortezomib (Velcade)?

Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Avoid becoming dehydrated if you have any vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, dry mouth, fainting, or hot and dry skin. Talk with your doctor about how best to keep yourself hydrated.

Bortezomib can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when rising from a sitting or lying position. Get up slowly to keep from falling.

What other drugs will affect bortezomib (Velcade)?

Many drugs can interact with bortezomib. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

• dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol);
• rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin);
• St. John's wort;
• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);
• an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
• an antidepressant such as nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);
• a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton);
• diabetes medications you take by mouth (your dose may need to be adjusted when your bortezomib treatment starts);
• HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir);
• medicines to treat narcolepsy, such as armodafanil (Nuvigil) or modafanil (Progivil); or
• seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), or phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with bortezomib. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about bortezomib.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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