Manufacturer: Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Salt Composition : Bortezomib(3.5mg)
Velcade 3.5mg Injection is given as an injection by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are some common side effects of this medicine. You may be advised to drink plenty of fluids every day during the treatment. You should not drive or operate machinery as medicine may cause tiredness and dizziness. This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (decrease red blood and white blood cells) in your blood, thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with heart, liver, and blood uric acid levels.
Before taking Velcade 3.5mg Injection, consult with your doctor if you have any liver, kidney, heart disease or bleeding problem. It is important to consult a doctor if you develop symptoms like memory loss or trouble in thinking. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.
There is a Patient Support Program/Patient Assistance Program available in India for this medicine, being managed by Tata 1mg. Please contact your prescribing doctor to know more about the same. You may also call on (1800-102-1618) for more details.
Bortezomib reversibly binds to the chymotrypsin-like subunit of the 26S proteasome, resulting in its inhibition and preventing the degradation of various pro-apoptotic factors.
The pharmacokinetic profile of intravenous bortezomib is characterized by a two-compartment model with a rapid initial distribution phase followed by a longer elimination phase and a large volume of distribution. Bortezomib is available for subcutaneous and intravenous administration.
Low blood platelets
Fatigue
Peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness of feet and hand)
Psychiatric disturbances
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Fever
Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
Diarrhea
Decreased appetite
Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)
Constipation
diabetes.
dehydration.
decreased blood platelets.
low levels of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils.
a painful condition that affects the nerves in the legs and arms called peripheral neuropathy.
pulmonary hypertension.
chronic heart failure.
Velcade 3.5mg Injection is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Velcade 3.5mg Injection may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
Velcade 3.5mg Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Treatment of antibody-mediated rejection in cardiac transplantation.
Relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.
Relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.
Relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma.
Systemic light-chain amyloidosis.
Relapsed or refractory Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
cardiac toxicity.
diabetes.
hepatotoxicity.
hypotension.
peripheral neuropathy.
pulmonary toxicity.
Kindly do not self administer.
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of Velcade 3.5mg Injection, please consult your doctor.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Velcade 3.5mg Injection is given as an injection into veins or skin under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Do not skip any dose and complete the course as suggested by your doctor.
Use an effective method of birth control to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication.
You may need to have blood tests to monitor your blood cells, platelets count, liver function and kidney function during treatment.
Inform your doctor immediately if you experience coughing, shortness of breath and swelling of feet.
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Q. When should I call my doctor right away?
Get medical help right away if you have muscle cramping, muscle weakness, confusion, visual loss or disturbances, blindness, seizures, headaches, shortness of breath, swelling of your feet or changes in your heartbeat, high blood pressure, tiredness, fainting, coughing and breathing difficulties or tightness in the chest.
Q. How will you know that Velcade 3.5mg Injection is working?
Keep taking this medicine exactly as directed until your doctor tells you to stop. Regular scans will reveal whether your tumor is responding to the treatment. Your doctor will determine when those scans should be scheduled.
Q. What precautions should I take to reduce the chances of getting infected during treatment with Velcade 3.5mg Injection?
Since Velcade 3.5mg Injection lowers the number of white blood cells and platelets in your blood, it puts you at risk of getting an infection or bleeding. In order to prevent, avoid people who have infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you may be getting an infection, or if you get a fever, chills, cough; be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a razor or nail cutters, and use a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent bleeding from gums.
Q. Can Velcade 3.5mg Injection be used during pregnancy?
No, this medicine should not be used during pregnancy as it can harm your unborn baby. Avoid getting pregnant and use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose of Velcade 3.5mg Injection.
Q. Can Velcade 3.5mg Injection affect my lungs? What should I do?
Yes, this medicine might cause potentially fatal problems in your lung. If you feel severe shortness of breath, confusion, dry cough, dizziness, or extreme tiredness, talk to your doctor right away.
Q. Does Velcade 3.5mg Injection cause hair loss?
Yes, while taking this medicine, your hair may become brittle and break. You may also experience patchy hair loss or thinning. These conditions tend to resolve once treatment is stopped. Be gentle when brushing and washing hair to manage hair loss.
Q. Are there any precautions for tingling sensation and numbness in my arms and legs?
This medicine causes tingling, numbness, pain, or burning sensation in your arms or legs. Be careful when moving around, as the numbness may make it harder to walk, feel your hands or feet, or increase your risk of falls. Talk to your doctor if you feel these symptoms. You may need to change your dose or schedule.
Q. I have noticed some changes in my skin after taking Velcade 3.5mg Injection? What should I do?
Use a moisturizer to get relief from rashes, dry and itchy skin. Avoid direct sunlight, wear protective clothing, and use sunscreen with (SPF more than 15) whenever you step outdoors. Do not go swimming if you have a rash because the chlorine in the water can make it worse. Avoid hot water bath and wear loose and cotton fabric clothes. Your skin will tend to become better once treatment is stopped.
Q. How to relieve constipation during the treatment?
To relieve constipation, include fiber in your diet (fruits and vegetables), drink 8-10 glasses of fluids a day, and keep active. A stool softener (with a doctor's prescription) once or twice a day may prevent constipation. If you do not have a bowel movement for 2-3 days, consult your doctor.
Q. I am experiencing nausea and extreme tiredness. Is this due to Velcade 3.5mg Injection?
Nausea and fatigue or tiredness are some of the common side-effects of this medicine. Eat smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the feeling of nausea. Avoid food that is salty, spicy, fried, or fatty. Take plenty of rest and do light exercise daily to keep yourself active and reduce fatigue.
Q. I am noticing a change in my taste. How shall I improve my taste?
You may experience a metallic taste or find that food has no taste at all. You may dislike foods or beverages that you liked before receiving cancer treatment. Rinse your mouth with a solution of salt and bicarbonate of soda before mealtimes to neutralize the bad taste in your mouth. You can also add extra flavor or seasonings to your food.
