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Velcade Chemotherapy Side Effects

Velcade is a chemotherapy drug used to treat certain cancers, including myeloma and lymphoma. Despite its effectiveness, Velcade poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

  1. Significance

    • According to clinical studies published by the FDA on RxList.com, 44 percent of patients who receive Velcade discontinue chemotherapy due to potentially life-threatening events; however, the common side effects of Velcade are temporary and usually subside with the cessation of treatment.

    Types of Common Side Effects

    • Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, constipation, nerve pain, vomiting, fever, decreased blood platelets or white blood cells, loss of appetite, tingling in extremities, headaches, coughing, shortness of breath, skin rashes, insomnia, respiratory infection and pain in the abdomen, bones or limbs.

    Time Frame

    • Side effects of Velcade may begin anywhere within the first few hours following treatment or not until up to a week later.

    Risks

    • Some patients develop a group of side effects known as reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome from Velcade, which may include seizures, hypertension, blindness, confusion, lethargy, severe headaches, heart failure or pneumonia.

    Considerations

    • Because Velcade causes birth defects and fetal death, doctors rarely prescribe it for pregnant women. Patients over the age of 65 are more susceptible to dangerous side effects than others.

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