What is Velcade: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Check our best Velcade prices

Velcade overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Velcade, Velcade

Generic Names:

  • Velcade

Uses:

  • Treats multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antineoplastic Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Velcade used for?

Velcade is a prescription only medication that is used by cancer patients to reduce the growth of their cancer cells and to prevent the cancer cells from spreading to different areas in the body. Velcade is available as a injectable powder for injection.

What form(s) does Velcade come in

  • Injectable

What are common Velcade doses?

  • Solution Reconstituted 3.5MG

Common Velcade prescriptions

  • Velcade
    3.5mg solution reconstituted

How to take Velcade

  • Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

  • Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into a vein.

  • Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into a vein.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Velcade

Velcade contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to bortezomib, boron, or mannitol, or if you are pregnant.

Velcade warnings

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

  • Trouble breathing

  • Swelling in your face, arms, legs, ankles, or feet, rapid weight gain

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Injection routeThis medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

  • Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids so you do not become dehydrated.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you are dizzy.

  • Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, heart disease, heart failure, breathing or lung problems, diabetes, low blood pressure, or a history of fainting or herpes virus infection.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 2 months after the last dose.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:New or worsening peripheral neuropathy (nerve problem)Low blood pressureHeart problemsLung or breathing problemsPosterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (brain disorder)Stomach or bowel problems (including blockage)Tumor lysis syndrome (metabolic problem that can be life-threatening)Liver problemsThrombotic microangiopathy (blood vessel damage), including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS)

  • Injection routeThis medicine may cause birth defects if either partner is using it during conception or pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 7 months after the last dose. Male patients with female partners should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 4 months after the last dose.

Velcade interactions

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:New or worsening peripheral neuropathy (nerve problems)Serious heart or lung problemsPosterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Some medicines can affect how bortezomib works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following: Ketoconazole, rifampin, ritonavir, St John's wortBlood pressure medicineInsulin or oral diabetes medicine

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart disease, heart failure, low blood pressure or a history of fainting, diabetes, or herpes virus infection.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you are dizzy.

  • Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Velcade side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful or difficult urination, bloody urine

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

  • Swelling in your face, arms, legs, ankles, or feet, rapid weight gain

  • Dark urine or pale stools, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Chest pain, cough, trouble breathing, fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

  • Sudden or severe headache, seizures, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, muscle or joint pain

  • Severe stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

  • Mild diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting

  • Loss of appetite, weight loss

  • Trouble sleeping

Medicamentos A-Z:

Ver todos
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ