The prescription injectable medication Velcade® contains bortezomib, which doctors prescribe as a therapy for some types of cancer. Despite its effectiveness ofr hte treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma, Velcade® poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Types of Side Effects

Side effects of Velcade® include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, nerve pain, dizziness, headaches, fevers, fatigue weakness, increased incidences of bacterial and viral infections, bone and joint pain, coughing, shortness of breath, insomnia and rashes.

Features

Approximately 44% of patients develop adverse reactions to Velcade®, and 25% discontinue use of the drug because of these reactions, according to clinical trials conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Drug Interactions

The anti-fungal medication ketoconazole increases your likelihood of developing side effects from Velcade®, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Risks

Risks associated with the use of Velcade® include nerve damage, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, respiratory distress, seizures, reversible blindness, liver failures and shortages of blood platelets and white blood cells, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Considerations

Because Velcade® is known to cause fetal harm, doctors restrict its use in pregnant women to instance when there is no safe alternative to treatment. If you have a history of heart or lung disease, peripheral neuropathy, fainting, shingles, liver disease or allergies to boron or mannitor, it may not be safe for you to take Velcade®, cautions the Mayo Clinic.

Source:

U.S. National Library of Medicine

Mayo Clinic

More Information:

Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.