Generic Name: bortezomib
Drug Class: Targeted Therapy Medications
Company: Takeda
Approval Status: Approved
Generic Version Available: No
Drug Indication
Velcade is a proteasome inhibitor approved for multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.
General Info
Velcade is a proteasome inhibitor that targets an enzyme that digests and eliminates excess proteins in myeloma cells. Blocking proteasome activity leads to myeloma cell death.
Clinical trials showed that Velcade slows progression of multiple myeloma and improves survival.
Dosage
Dosing Info:
Velcade is administered as either a subcutaneous injection or an intravenous infusion, given twice weekly for four six-week cycles then once weekly.
Side Effects
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy and nerve pain, fatigue, constipation, skin rash, fever and decreased appetite. It can cause depletion of red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (neutropenia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia), which can lead to infections and easy bleeding. It can cause birth defects and should not be used during pregnancy.
For More Info: http://www.velcade.com/
Co-Pay Program Info: http://www.velcade.com/paying-for-treatment
Patient Assistance Program Info: http://www.velcade.com/paying-for-treatment
Last Reviewed: September 18, 2018
