Bosulif Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Chronic myelogenous leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in a patient’s bone marrow. As the cancer cells grow and divide, they can spread in the blood and in different organs in the body.

Depending on the speed of its progression, leukemia can be chronic and acute. Chronic leukemia takes a relatively long time to develop. Acute leukemia progresses much faster but is easier to cure. Symptoms of chronic myelogenous leukemia include fatigue, easy bruising and bleeding, fever, weight loss, and loss of appetite. Some patients, however, may live with the disease for months or years without symptoms.

Bosulif Active Ingredient

Bosulif contains the active ingredient bosutinib monohydrate which helps to stop the growth of a certain kind of blood cancer cells.

Generic Bosulif Alternative

Generic alternatives to Bosulif are not yet available on this website.

General Drug Information

What is Bosulif and What Is It Used For?

Bosulif is prescribed to patients who suffer from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The medication contains bosutinib monohydrate, an active ingredient which slows or stops the growth of cancer cells.

Usage and Application

Before sourcing Bosulif or its generic alternatives online, please read the medication guide prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Bosulif should be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor. Most patients are directed to take Bosulif by mouth, once a day, usually with food. The medication should be swallowed whole. Patients should not crush, split, or chew the tablets. Avoid handling crushed or broken tablets.

Patients should not increase their dose, nor use Bosulif more often or longer than prescribed. Their condition will not improve any faster and patients increase their risk of serious side effects.

Bosulif should be taken regularly for patients to experience the greatest benefit. It is best to use the medication at the same time each day.

Medications which reduce or block stomach acid (e.g. proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, and antacids) may reduce the absorption of Bosulif, making it less effective. Patients should not take any proton pump inhibitors – like omeprazole and lansoprazole – while using Bosulif. Patients who take antacids or H2 blockers (e.g. famotidine, ranitidine) should take these medications at least two hours before or after Bosulif.

Patients should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using Bosulif, as this can increase the risk of side effects. Patients should ask their doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Women who are pregnant – or who may become pregnant – should not handle this medication, nor should they breathe dust from the tablets. Bosulif can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby.

Considerations Before Taking Bosulif

If you shop for Bosulif online, please note that you may encounter the drug under its generic name: bosutinib monohydrate.

Before starting treatment, discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to Bosulif with your doctor. This medication contains inactive ingredients which may also cause an allergic reaction.

It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially relating to liver disease and kidney disease.

Bosulif may cause dizziness. Alcohol and marijuana can exacerbate this effect. Patients should not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires alertness until they are in a position to do so safely. Alcohol use may increase the risk of liver problems. Discuss marijuana use with your doctor.

Before surgery or dental procedures, inform your doctor or dentist of all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal products that you are taking.

Patients should not have immunizations or vaccinations without the consent of their doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (e.g. flu vaccine inhaled through the nose). Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection.

Lower the chance of cuts, bruises, and injuries by avoiding activities like contact sports. Exercise caution when using sharp objects like razors and nail cutters.

Bosulif may harm an unborn baby and is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age should use reliable forms of birth control during treatment. Continue taking birth control for at least one month after the end of treatment. Female patients should consult their doctor for more details.

It is unknown if Bosulif passes into breast milk. Due to possible risk, it is not recommended to take this medication while breastfeeding.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Bosulif should take it as soon as they remember, provided it is within 12 hours of their scheduled dose. If it is more than 12 hours after their scheduled dose, patients should skip the missed dose and resume their usual dosing schedule. Patients should not double the dose to catch up.

Other Medications and Bosulif

See also the How to Section.

Drug interactions may change the way Bosulif works, increasing the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless advised to do so by their physician.

Some medications – like medications which reduce stomach acid – may interact negatively with Bosulif. Examples include proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, antacids, and H2 blockers like famotidine and ranitidine.

Other medications can affect the removal of Bosulif from the body, possibly changing its mechanism of action. Examples include azole antifungals like itraconazole (e.g Sporanox) and ketoconazole (e.g Nizoral), or macrolide antibiotics containing clarithromycin (e.g Biaxin), and drugs used to treat seizures (e.g. carbamazepine and phenytoin).

The hepatitis C medications boceprevir and telaprevir, the antidepressant nefazodone, and the antibiotic telithromycin also have a similar effect. The list extends to the herb St. John's wort, rifamycin antibiotics (e.g. rifabutin), and HIV protease inhibitors like indinavir (e.g Crixivan), ritonavir (e.g Norvir), and nelfinavir (e.g. Viracept)

This document does not contain a full list of all possible interactions. Please consult your physician before buying Bosulif or any of its generic alternatives.

Adverse Reactions

Patients who use Bosulif may develop serious side effects. However, patients are prescribed Bosulif because their doctor has decided that the benefit to the patient is greater than the risk of side effects. Patients who are carefully monitored by their doctor may have smaller risk of side effects.

Common side effects include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, cough, joint pain, headache, and dizziness. Consult your doctor if any of these effects persist or worsen.

One other common side effect is diarrhea. Patients should drink plenty of fluids to reduce their risk of dehydration. Some patients may be prescribed anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide. Patients should seek immediate medical assistance in the event of severe or persistent diarrhea, as well as the following signs of dehydration: extreme thirst, dizziness, and decreased urination.

Bosulif decreases bone marrow function and may reduce the number of red cells, white cells, and platelets, possibly causing anemia. It also decreases the body's ability to fight infections and may cause easy bruising and/or bleeding.

Patients should monitor for symptoms like unusual tiredness, pale skin, easy bleeding and bruising, and signs of infection (e.g. fever, chills, and persistent sore throat). Seek medical help in the event of such symptoms.

Serious side effects including: severe stomach pain, yellowing eyes and/or skin, dark urine, swelling of the hands, ankles and/or feet, and changes in the amount of urine.

Seek immediate medical attention in the event of any chest pain or shortness of breath.

Serious allergic reactions to Bosulif are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergic symptoms such as rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

In many patients, Bosulif may cause a mild rash that is usually not serious. However, patients may have difficulty telling it apart from a rare rash which can signify a severe allergic reaction. Patients should immediately seek medical help in the event of any rash.

How to Store Bosulif

Bosulif should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly. Bosulif should never be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.