Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi 2.5 mg powder for solution for injection EFG
Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi 3.5 mg powder for solution for injection EFG
bortezomib
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Contents of the pack:
This medicine contains the active substance bortezomib, a "proteasome inhibitor". Proteasomes play an important role in controlling cell function and growth. Bortezomib can destroy cancer cells by interfering with their function.
Bortezomib is used to treat multiple myeloma (a type of bone marrow cancer) in patients over 18 years of age:
Bortezomib is used to treat mantle cell lymphoma (a type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes) in patients over 18 years of age in combination with the medicines rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone, in patients whose disease has not been previously treated and for those patients who are not considered suitable for a stem cell transplant.
Do not use bortezomib
Warnings and precautions
Tell your doctor if you have:
You will need to have regular blood tests before and during treatment with bortezomib to check your blood cell count regularly.
You must tell your doctor if you have mantle cell lymphoma and are given rituximab with bortezomib:
Before starting treatment with bortezomib, you should read the package leaflets of all the medicines you need to take with bortezomib to find out about the information related to these medicines.
When using thalidomide, special attention should be paid to pregnancy testing and prevention measures (see Pregnancy and Breastfeeding in this section).
Children and adolescents
Bortezomib should not be used in children and adolescents because it is not known how it will affect them.
Using bortezomib with other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.
In particular, tell your doctor if you are using medicines that contain any of the following active substances:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant unless it is clearly necessary.
Women of childbearing age must use effective contraception during treatment and for up to 8 months after finishing treatment. Talk to your doctor if you want to freeze your eggs before starting treatment.
Men must not father a child while using bortezomib and must use effective contraception during treatment and for up to 5 months after finishing treatment. Talk to your doctor if you want to preserve your sperm before starting treatment.
Do not breastfeed while using bortezomib. Ask your doctor when it is safe to restart breastfeeding after finishing your treatment.
Thalidomide causes birth defects and fetal death. When bortezomib is given with thalidomide, you must follow the thalidomide pregnancy prevention program (see the thalidomide package leaflet).
Driving and using machines
Bortezomib may cause fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or blurred vision. Do not drive or use tools or machines if you experience these side effects; even if you do not experience them, you should still be cautious.
Your doctor will tell you the dose of bortezomib based on your height and weight (body surface area). The usual starting dose of bortezomib is 1.3 mg/m2 of body surface area twice a week.
Your doctor may change the dose and the total number of treatment cycles depending on your response to treatment, the occurrence of certain side effects, and your underlying condition (e.g., liver problems).
Progressive multiple myeloma
When bortezomib is given alone, you will receive 4 doses of bortezomib by intravenous or subcutaneous injection on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, followed by a 10-day "rest" period without treatment. This 21-day period (3 weeks) is one treatment cycle. You may receive up to 8 cycles (24 weeks).
You may also receive bortezomib with the medicines doxorubicin liposomal pegylated or dexamethasone.
When bortezomib is given with doxorubicin liposomal pegylated, you will receive bortezomib by intravenous or subcutaneous injection in a 21-day treatment cycle, and doxorubicin liposomal pegylated 30 mg/m2 will be given on day 4 of the bortezomib 21-day treatment cycle, by intravenous infusion after the bortezomib injection.
You may receive up to 8 cycles (24 weeks).
When bortezomib is given with dexamethasone, you will receive bortezomib by intravenous or subcutaneous injection in a 21-day treatment cycle, and dexamethasone 20 mg will be given orally on days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12 of the bortezomib 21-day treatment cycle.
You may receive up to 8 cycles (24 weeks).
Previously untreated multiple myeloma
If you have not been previously treated for multiple myeloma and are nota candidate for a stem cell transplant, you will receive bortezomib with the medicines melphalan and prednisone.
In this case, the duration of one treatment cycle is 42 days (6 weeks). You will receive 9 cycles (54 weeks).
Melphalan (9 mg/m2) and prednisone (60 mg/m2) are given orally during days 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the first week of each cycle.
If you have not received previous treatment for multiple myeloma and area candidate for a stem cell transplant, you will receive bortezomib by intravenous or subcutaneous injection with the medicines dexamethasone, or dexamethasone and thalidomide, as induction treatment.
When bortezomib is given with dexamethasone, you will receive bortezomib by intravenous or subcutaneous injection in a 21-day treatment cycle, and dexamethasone will be given orally at a dose of 40 mg on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the bortezomib 21-day treatment cycle.
You will receive 4 cycles (12 weeks).
When bortezomib is given with thalidomide and dexamethasone, the duration of one treatment cycle is 28 days (4 weeks).
Dexamethasone 40 mg is given orally on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the bortezomib 28-day treatment cycle, and thalidomide is given orally once daily at a dose of 50 mg until day 14 of the first cycle, and if tolerated, the thalidomide dose is increased to 100 mg on days 15-28, and from the second cycle onwards, it may be further increased to 200 mg daily. You may receive up to 6 cycles (24 weeks).
Previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma
If you have not been previously treated for mantle cell lymphoma, you will receive bortezomib by intravenous or subcutaneous injection with the medicines rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone.
Bortezomib is given by intravenous or subcutaneous injection on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, followed by a "rest" period without treatment. The duration of one treatment cycle is 21 days (3 weeks). You may receive up to 8 cycles (24 weeks).
The following medicines are given by intravenous infusion on day 1 of the bortezomib 21-day treatment cycle:
Rituximab at a dose of 375 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide at a dose of 750 mg/m2, and doxorubicin at a dose of 50 mg/m2.
Prednisone is given orally at a dose of 100 mg/m2 on days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the bortezomib treatment cycle.
How bortezomib is given
This medicine is given by intravenous or subcutaneous injection. You will be given bortezomib by a healthcare professional experienced in the use of cytotoxic medicines.
The bortezomib powder must be dissolved before administration. This will be done by a healthcare professional. The reconstituted solution is then injected into a vein or under the skin. The injection into a vein is rapid, lasting between 3 and 5 seconds. The injection under the skin is given into the thighs or abdomen.
If you receive more bortezomib than you should
This medicine will be given to you by your doctor or nurse, so it is unlikely that you will receive too much. In the unlikely event of an overdose, your doctor will monitor you for side effects.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them. Some of these effects can be serious.
If you are administered bortezomib for multiple myeloma or mantle cell lymphoma, report immediately to your doctor if you observe any of the following symptoms:
Treatment with bortezomib can very frequently cause a decrease in the number of red and white blood cells and platelets in the blood. Therefore, you will need to undergo regular blood tests before and during treatment with bortezomib to regularly check your blood cell count. You may experience a reduction in the number of:
If you are administered bortezomib for the treatment of multiple myeloma, the adverse effects you may experience are included below:
Very Common Adverse Effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 patients)
Common Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients)
Uncommon Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 patients)
Rare Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 patients)
If you are administered bortezomib along with other medicines for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma, the adverse effects you may experience are included below:
Very Common Adverse Effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 patients)
Common Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients)
Uncommon Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 patients)
Rare Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 patients)
Reporting of Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect that is not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the national reporting system included in Appendix V. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiration date that appears on the vial and on the packaging after CAD.
This medicine does not require special storage conditions regarding temperature. Store the vial in the outer packaging to protect it from light.
The chemical and physical stability of the reconstituted solution has been demonstrated at concentrations of 1 mg/ml and 2.5 mg/ml for 96 hours at 25°C and 8 days at 2-8°C, when stored in the original syringe and/or vial.
From a microbiological point of view, the product must be used immediately after preparation. If not used immediately, the storage times and conditions prior to use will be the responsibility of the user. The total storage time of the reconstituted medicine should not exceed 96 hours (if stored at 25°C) and 8 days (if stored at 2-8°C) before administration.
Bortezomib is for single use only. The disposal of unused medicine and all materials that have come into contact with it will be carried out in accordance with local regulations.
Composition of Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi
Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi 2.5 mg powder for solution for injection
Each vial contains 2.5 mg of bortezomib (as boronic acid ester of mannitol).
Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi 3.5 mg powder for solution for injection
Each vial contains 3.5 mg of bortezomib (as boronic acid ester of mannitol).
Reconstitution for intravenous administration:
After reconstitution, 1 ml of the solution for intravenous injection contains 1 mg of bortezomib.
Reconstitution for subcutaneous administration:
After reconstitution, 1 ml of the solution for subcutaneous injection contains 2.5 mg of bortezomib.
Appearance of the Product and Container Content
Bortezomib powder for solution for injection is a lyophilized powder or paste of white or off-white color.
Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi 2.5 mg powder for solution for injection
Each container of Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi 2.5 mg powder for solution for injection contains a 10 ml clear glass vial with a gray rubber stopper and a yellow aluminum flip-off cap, which contains 2.5 mg of bortezomib.
Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi 3.5 mg powder for solution for injection
Each container of Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi 3.5 mg powder for solution for injection contains a 10 ml clear glass vial with a gray rubber stopper and a blue aluminum flip-off cap, which contains 3.5 mg of bortezomib.
The vial is presented wrapped in a retractable sleeve (without tray) or in a tray with a lid. Each box contains 1 single-use vial.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH Else-Kröner-Straße 1,
61352 Bad Homburg v.d.Höhe Germany
ManufacturerFresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH Pfingstweide 53
61169 Friedberg, Germany
Or
Fresenius Kabi Polska Sp. z.o.o., ul. Sienkiewicza 25, Kutno,
99-300, Poland
Further information about this medicinal product can be obtained from the marketing authorization holder.
Date of Last Revision of this Leaflet:
Other Sources of Information
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the European Medicines Agency website: http://www.ema.europa.eu.
This information is intended only for healthcare professionals:
Note: Bortezomib is a cytotoxic agent. Therefore, caution should be exercised during handling and preparation. The use of gloves and other protective clothing is recommended to prevent skin contact.
BORTEZOMIB DOES NOT CONTAIN PRESERVATIVES AND THEREFORE IT IS ADVISED TO STRICTLY FOLLOW ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE DURING ITS HANDLING.
1.1 Preparation of a 2.5 mg vial: carefully add2.5 ml of sterile sodium chloride injection solution 9 mg/ml (0.9%) to the vial containing the bortezomib powder using a suitable sized syringe without removing the vial stopper. The dissolution of the lyophilized powder is completed in less than 2 minutes.
Preparation of a 3.5 mg vial: carefully add3.5 ml of sterile sodium chloride injection solution 9 mg/ml (0.9%) to the vial containing the bortezomib powder using a suitable sized syringe without removing the vial stopper. The dissolution of the lyophilized powder is completed in less than 2 minutes.
The concentration of the resulting solution will be 1 mg/ml. The solution should be colorless and transparent, with a final pH of 4 to 7. It is not necessary to check the pH of the solution.
From a microbiological point of view, the reconstituted product should be used immediately after preparation. If not used immediately, the storage times and conditions prior to use will be the responsibility of the user. The total storage time of the reconstituted medicinal product should not exceed 96 hours (if stored at 25°C) and 8 days (if stored at 2-8°C) before administration.
It is not necessary to protect the reconstituted product from light.
Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi 2.5 mg and 3.5 mg SHOULD ONLY BE ADMINISTERED INTRAVENOUSLY OR SUBCUTANEOUSLY. Do not administer by other routes. Intrathecal administration has caused death.
A vial is for single use and the remaining solution should be discarded.
The disposal of unused medicinal product and all materials that have come into contact with it will be carried out in accordance with local regulations.
The following information is intended only for healthcare professionals:
Only the 2.5 mg and 3.5 mg vial can be administered subcutaneously, as described below.
Note: Bortezomib is a cytotoxic agent. Therefore, caution should be exercised during handling and preparation. The use of gloves and other protective clothing is recommended to prevent skin contact.
BORTEZOMIB DOES NOT CONTAIN PRESERVATIVES. AND THEREFORE IT IS ADVISED TO STRICTLY FOLLOW ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE DURING ITS HANDLING.
Preparation of a 3.5 mg vial: carefully add1.4 ml of sterile sodium chloride injection solution 9 mg/ml (0.9%) to the vial containing the bortezomib powder using a suitable sized syringe without removing the vial stopper. The dissolution of the lyophilized powder is completed in less than 2 minutes.
The concentration of the resulting solution will be 2.5 mg/ml. The solution should be colorless and transparent, with a final pH of 4 to 7. It is not necessary to check the pH of the solution.
From a microbiological point of view, the reconstituted product should be used immediately after preparation. If not used immediately, the storage times and conditions prior to use will be the responsibility of the user. The total storage time of the reconstituted medicinal product should not exceed 96 hours (if stored at 25°C) and 8 days (if stored at 2-8°C) before administration.
It is not necessary to protect the reconstituted product from light.
Bortezomib Fresenius Kabi 2.5 mg and 3.5 mg SHOULD ONLY BE ADMINISTERED INTRAVENOUSLY OR SUBCUTANEOUSLY. Do not administer by other routes. Intrathecal administration has caused death.
A vial is for single use and the remaining solution should be discarded.
The disposal of unused medicinal product and all materials that have come into contact with it will be carried out in accordance with local regulations.