BORTEZOMIB

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.

High Safety Concerns with Bortezomib, Particularly for Serious Adverse Events

141,037 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About BORTEZOMIB

BORTEZOMIB is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.. Based on analysis of 141,037 FDA adverse event reports, BORTEZOMIB has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for BORTEZOMIB include PLASMA CELL MYELOMA, NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL, OFF LABEL USE, DIARRHOEA, FATIGUE. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for BORTEZOMIB.

AI Safety Analysis

Bortezomib has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 141,037 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Plasma Cell Myeloma, Neuropathy Peripheral, Off Label Use. Of classified reports, 83.7% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Bortezomib is associated with a high number of serious adverse events, including death and pneumonia.

Peripheral neuropathy and thrombocytopenia are common side effects, affecting a significant portion of users. The drug is frequently reported to be ineffective, leading to disease progression and therapy non-responder status.

Patients taking Bortezomib should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Bortezomib can cause severe drug interactions, including with other chemotherapy agents, and warnings are issued for its use in unapproved indications. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Bortezomib received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 83.7% serious event ratio across 86,281 classified reports. The score accounts for 141,037 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

PLASMA CELL MYELOMA8,874 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL6,256 reports
OFF LABEL USE6,143 reports
DIARRHOEA5,060 reports
FATIGUE4,443 reports
DEATH4,100 reports
PNEUMONIA3,968 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE3,584 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA3,577 reports
NAUSEA3,044 reports
PYREXIA2,799 reports
ANAEMIA2,652 reports
NEUTROPENIA2,603 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION2,383 reports
RASH2,361 reports
ASTHENIA2,192 reports
CONSTIPATION2,168 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED2,135 reports
DYSPNOEA2,074 reports
VOMITING1,786 reports
SEPSIS1,766 reports
INFECTION1,571 reports
DIZZINESS1,501 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE1,488 reports
HYPOTENSION1,471 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION1,416 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,404 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA1,360 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED1,357 reports
PANCYTOPENIA1,331 reports
PAIN1,256 reports
DEHYDRATION1,227 reports
PLASMA CELL MYELOMA RECURRENT1,208 reports
FALL1,190 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,171 reports
RENAL FAILURE1,163 reports
BACK PAIN1,162 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,158 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS1,133 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION1,098 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE1,089 reports
POLYNEUROPATHY1,035 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL1,010 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED1,006 reports
MALAISE956 reports
COVID 19949 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE931 reports
HERPES ZOSTER916 reports
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS907 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA906 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION906 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK886 reports
INSOMNIA854 reports
HEADACHE852 reports
PARAESTHESIA838 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY835 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION811 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN794 reports
COUGH794 reports
PRURITUS790 reports
PULMONARY EMBOLISM784 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING779 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE761 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE753 reports
SYNCOPE742 reports
MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PROGRESSION726 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS723 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION708 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION708 reports
ARTHRALGIA684 reports
MULTIPLE MYELOMA677 reports
PLASMA CELL MYELOMA REFRACTORY677 reports
THROMBOSIS677 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT675 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED667 reports
UNEVALUABLE EVENT640 reports
NEUTROPHIL COUNT DECREASED626 reports
HYPERTENSION618 reports
CHEST PAIN616 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED612 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE603 reports
THERAPY NON RESPONDER596 reports
LEUKOPENIA593 reports
CHILLS574 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE567 reports
THERAPY PARTIAL RESPONDER559 reports
ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION555 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS545 reports
HYPOKALAEMIA537 reports
HYPONATRAEMIA516 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDER512 reports
TREMOR507 reports
BONE PAIN492 reports
INFLUENZA488 reports
NO ADVERSE EVENT485 reports
PLASMACYTOMA482 reports
ADVERSE DRUG REACTION480 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS475 reports
CYTOPENIA461 reports
UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION459 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Death is one of the most serious adverse events reported, with 4,100 reports.
  • Peripheral neuropathy and thrombocytopenia are key safety signals, with 6,256 and 3,577 reports respectively.
  • The drug is often reported as ineffective, with 3,584 reports of drug ineffectiveness.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Male: 38,879, Female: 31,457, Unknown: 1,583. The most frequently reported age groups are age 65 (2,039 reports), age 68 (2,034 reports), age 69 (1,991 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 86,281 classified reports for BORTEZOMIB:

  • Serious: 72,190 reports (83.7%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 14,091 reports (16.3%)
Serious 83.7%Non-Serious 16.3%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Male38,879 (54.1%)
Female31,457 (43.7%)
Unknown1,583 (2.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 652,039 reports
Age 682,034 reports
Age 691,991 reports
Age 701,914 reports
Age 671,858 reports
Age 711,839 reports
Age 631,818 reports
Age 661,811 reports
Age 721,770 reports
Age 641,765 reports
Age 731,705 reports
Age 621,638 reports
Age 741,609 reports
Age 751,606 reports
Age 601,599 reports
Age 611,525 reports
Age 761,416 reports
Age 591,335 reports
Age 771,277 reports
Age 581,235 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Bortezomib can cause severe drug interactions, including with other chemotherapy agents, and warnings are issued for its use in unapproved indications.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Bortezomib, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include plasma cell myeloma, neuropathy peripheral, off label use, diarrhoea, fatigue. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should be closely monitored for signs of peripheral neuropathy and thrombocytopenia, and any symptoms should be reported to their healthcare provider immediately. Avoid using Bortezomib in unapproved indications as it may be ineffective and increase the risk of serious adverse events. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors Bortezomib due to its high rate of serious adverse events, particularly in elderly patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Bortezomib?

The FDA has received approximately 141,037 adverse event reports associated with Bortezomib. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Bortezomib?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Bortezomib include Plasma Cell Myeloma, Neuropathy Peripheral, Off Label Use, Diarrhoea, Fatigue. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Plasma Cell Myeloma (8,874 reports), Neuropathy Peripheral (6,256 reports), Off Label Use (6,143 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Bortezomib.

What percentage of Bortezomib adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 86,281 classified reports, 72,190 (83.7%) were classified as serious and 14,091 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Bortezomib (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Bortezomib break down by patient sex as follows: Male: 38,879, Female: 31,457, Unknown: 1,583. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Bortezomib?

The most frequently reported age groups for Bortezomib adverse events are: age 65: 2,039 reports, age 68: 2,034 reports, age 69: 1,991 reports, age 70: 1,914 reports, age 67: 1,858 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Bortezomib?

The primary manufacturer associated with Bortezomib adverse event reports is Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Bortezomib?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Bortezomib include: Death, Pneumonia, Drug Ineffective, Thrombocytopenia, Nausea. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Bortezomib?

You can report adverse events from Bortezomib to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Bortezomib's safety score and what does it mean?

Bortezomib has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Bortezomib is associated with a high number of serious adverse events, including death and pneumonia.

What are the key safety signals for Bortezomib?

Key safety signals identified in Bortezomib's adverse event data include: Death is one of the most serious adverse events reported, with 4,100 reports.. Peripheral neuropathy and thrombocytopenia are key safety signals, with 6,256 and 3,577 reports respectively.. The drug is often reported as ineffective, with 3,584 reports of drug ineffectiveness.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Bortezomib interact with other drugs?

Bortezomib can cause severe drug interactions, including with other chemotherapy agents, and warnings are issued for its use in unapproved indications. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Bortezomib.

What should patients know before taking Bortezomib?

Patients should be closely monitored for signs of peripheral neuropathy and thrombocytopenia, and any symptoms should be reported to their healthcare provider immediately. Avoid using Bortezomib in unapproved indications as it may be ineffective and increase the risk of serious adverse events.

Are Bortezomib side effects well-documented?

Bortezomib has 141,037 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Peripheral neuropathy and thrombocytopenia are common side effects, affecting a significant portion of users. The volume of reports for Bortezomib reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Bortezomib?

The FDA closely monitors Bortezomib due to its high rate of serious adverse events, particularly in elderly patients. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to BORTEZOMIB based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

CarfilzomibIxazomibLenalidomideDexamethasoneCyclophosphamide
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.