Bosutinib
Description
Bosutinib is an anticancer medicine. It is used to treat a certain type of blood cancer (Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukaemia) in adults. It blocks the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. Thus, it stops the cancer cells from spreading.
Bosutinib may cause some side effects like diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, fever, fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, cough, pneumonia (lung infection), high blood pressure, increased liver enzyme levels, rash, muscle pain, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects persist or become severe.
Bosutinib should be taken with food in the dose and duration prescribed by your doctor. Avoid taking more than the recommended dose as it may increase the risk of side effects. Take it every day at the same time to maintain a consistent level of this medicine in your blood. Avoid discontinuing this medication without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen your condition.
Bosutinib may not be suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for use in children less than 18 years of age. Inform your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney problems or any other health conditions to make sure it is safe for you. Also, inform your doctor about all your ongoing medications to avoid undesired effects.
Bosutinib is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it may harm the developing foetus. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Bosutinib
- Fever
- Cough
- Bleeding gums
- Sore throat
- Lower back pain
- Pale skin
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Increased liver enzyme levels
- Low blood cell count
- Respiratory tract infection
- Decreased appetite
- High blood pressure
Uses of Bosutinib
What is it prescribed for?
- Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML)
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Bosutinib to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Bosutinib remains effective in your body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Bosutinib.
- Usage in pregnancy?Bosutinib is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can harm your developing foetus. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Due to the lack of safety information, Bosutinib is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Bosutinib if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Bosutinib is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can harm your developing foetus. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Due to the lack of safety information, Bosutinib is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Bonemarrow suppression
Bone marrow suppression is a condition in which your bone marrow (a substance found in the bone that produces blood cells) activity is reduced which further leads to a decrease in blood cell count. If you are diagnosed with such a condition, Bosutinib should be used with caution as it may further worsen your condition.
Driving or operating machines
Bosutinib may cause dizziness, tiredness, and visual disturbances. Hence, avoid performing activities that require mental alertness such as driving vehicles or operating machines if you experience such symptoms.
Liver disease
Bosutinib should be used with caution if you have liver problems as this medicine may cause an increase in liver enzyme levels and further increase the risk of liver injury. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine based on the severity of your condition.
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Bosutinib may cause diarrhoea and vomiting. Hence it should be used with caution if you have stomach and intestinal problems.
Low blood cell counts
Bosutinib may cause a decrease in blood cell counts. Hence, your doctor may suggest tests to periodically monitor the blood cell counts during treatment with this medicine.
Infections
Bosutinib should be used with caution as it may weaken your immune system and increase the risk of infections. Take appropriate precautionary measures and avoid coming in contact with people who have an infection.
Severe skin reactions
Bosutinib should be used with caution as it may cause severe skin reactions that cause blistering and peeling of the skin, such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Bosutinib as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose of Bosutinib. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose for further guidance.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Escitalopram
Atazanavir
Ciprofloxacin
BCG vaccine
Isoniazid
Adalimumab
Azithromycin
Esomeprazole
Disease interactions
Cardiovascular disease
Use of Bosutinib may cause QT prolongation (a condition in which your heart muscles take a longer time to recharge between a heartbeat). Hence, it should be used with caution if you have heart problems or taking other medications that are known to cause QT prolongation. If you have low blood potassium or magnesium levels, it may further worsen your condition.
Fluid retention
Bosutinib should be used with caution as it may cause fluid retention (abnormal build-up of fluid in the body). Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your clinical condition.
Impaired kidney function
Bosutinib should be used with caution if you have kidney problems as a damaged kidney will not eliminate the medicine completely. This can increase the level of unused medicine in your body, thus increasing the risk of side effects. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
Grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels of Bosutinib. Hence consumption of grapefruit juice is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of severe side effects. You may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, increased liver enzyme levels, etc.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Bosutinib exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Swallow as a whole with a sufficient amount of water.
Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Take this medicine for the recommended duration.
Consult your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects that persist or worsen.
Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your liver function and blood cell counts while you are taking this medicine.
Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment with this medicine and for at least one month after the last dose to avoid becoming pregnant.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Bosutinib works by inhibiting the actions of an abnormal protein that cause the cancer cells to multiply. This helps in stopping the growth and spread of cancer.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugs, H., 2022. Bosutinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 1 March 2022].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Bosulif 100 mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 March 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 2 Mar 2022
Disclaimer
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