Bosutinib (Generic Name)

Other Names: Bosulif®

About This Drug:

Bosutinib is used to treat cancer. It is taken by mouth (orally).

Possible Side Effects (More Common)

  • Bone marrow depression. This is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This may increase your risk of infection, fatigue, and bleeding.
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Feeling tired or weak

Possible Side Effects (Less Common)

  • Changes in how your liver works. Your liver function will be checked as needed.
  • Swelling in your legs, ankles and/or feet.

Reproductive Concerns

  • Pregnancy warning: This drug may have harmful effects on the unborn child, so effective methods of birth control should be used during your cancer treatment.
  • Genetic counseling is available to you to discuss the effects of this drug therapy on future pregnancies. In addition, a genetic counselor can review the potential risks of problems in the fetus due to this medication, if an exposure during pregnancy has occurred.
  • Breast-feeding warning: Women are advised not to breast-feed during treatment, because this drug could enter the breast milk and seriously harm the breast-feeding infant.

Treating Side Effects

  • Drink 6 to 8 cups of fluids every day, unless your doctor has told you to restrict your fluid intake due to another medical condition. A cup is 8 ounces of fluid. If you vomit or have diarrhea, you should drink more fluids so that you do not become dehydrated.
  • Do not put anything on your rash, unless your doctor or nurse says you may. Keep the area around the rash clean and dry.
  • Ask your doctor or nurse for medicine to prevent or lessen your nausea and/or diarrhea.

Food and Drug Interactions

There are known interactions of bosutinib with food. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice. This drug may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medications and dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs, and others) that you are currently taking. The safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements and alternative diets are often unknown. Using these might unexpectedly affect your cancer or interfere with your treatment. Until more is known, you should not use dietary supplements or alternative diets without your cancer doctor's advice.

Other Instructions

  • Swallow the medication whole. Do not chew, break, or crush it.
  • You can take the medication with food.
  • If you take antacids, take the medication at least two hours before or after you take the antacid.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
  • Fever of 100.5 F (38 C) or above
  • Chills
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Black or tarry stools
  • Difficulty breathing or feeling short of breath.
  • Uncontrolled nausea that prevents you from eating or drinking.
  • Vomiting more than three times a day.
  • Stomach pain
Call your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if any of the following symptoms occur:
  • Extreme tiredness or weakness that interferes with normal activities.
  • Swelling of your legs, ankles, or feet.
  • Yellowing of skin or eyes.

New — January 2013

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