Bortezomib — Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient

Bortezomib is an active pharmaceutical ingredient found in 2 FDA-approved drug products. Forms: INJECTABLE, POWDER, SOLUTION. Routes: INTRAVENOUS, SUBCUTANEOUS, INTRAVENOUS, INJECTION.

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Bortezomib (2 brand names, 3 dosage forms, 3 routes)

Available dosage forms: INJECTABLE, POWDER, SOLUTION.

Routes of administration: INTRAVENOUS, SUBCUTANEOUS, INTRAVENOUS, INJECTION.

Brand Names

  • BORTEZOMIB
  • VELCADE

Contraindications

Bortezomib for Injection is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity (not including local reactions) to bortezomib, boron, or mannitol. Reactions have included anaphylactic reactions [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Bortezomib for Injection is contraindicated for intrathecal administration. Fatal events have occurred with intrathecal administration of Bortezomib for Injection.

Adverse Reactions

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are also discussed in other sections of the labeling: Peripheral Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Cardiac Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Pulmonary Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] Gastrointestinal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] Thrombocytopenia/Neutropenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] Tumor Lysis Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)] Hepatic Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)] Thrombotic Microangiopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)]

Mechanism of Action

Bortezomib is a reversible inhibitor of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 26S proteasome in mammalian cells. The 26S proteasome is a large protein complex that degrades ubiquitinated proteins. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays an essential role in regulating the intracellular concentration of specific proteins, thereby maintaining homeostasis within cells. Inhibition of the 26S proteasome prevents this targeted proteolysis, which can affect multiple signaling cascades within the cell. This disruption of normal homeostatic mechanisms can lead to cell death. Experiments have demonstrated that bortezomib is cytotoxic to a variety of cancer cell types in vitro. Bortezomib causes a delay in tumor growth in vivo in nonclinical tumor models, including multiple myeloma.

Overdosage

There is no known specific antidote for Bortezomib for Injection overdosage. In humans, fatal outcomes following the administration of more than twice the recommended therapeutic dose have been reported, which were associated with the acute onset of symptomatic hypotension (5.2) and thrombocytopenia (5.7). In the event of an overdosage, the patient’s vital signs should be monitored and appropriate supportive care given. Studies in monkeys and dogs showed that intravenous bortezomib doses as low as two times the recommended clinical dose on a mg/m2 basis were associated with increases in heart rate, decreases in contractility, hypotension, and death. In dog studies, a slight increase in the corrected QT interval was observed at doses resulting in death. In monkeys, doses of 3.0 mg/m2 and greater (approximately twice the recommended clinical dose) resulted in hypotension starting at one hour postadministration, with progression to death in 12 to 14 hours following drug administration.

⚠ Caution
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any medication.