Compare Velcade vs. bexarotene
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats mantle cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Velcade (bortezomib) is a first-choice treatment for multiple myeloma and an effective option for mantle cell lymphoma. However, it frequently causes burning, tingling, and numbness in the hands and feet.
Helps treat skin tumors from T-cell lymphoma.
Targretin (bexarotene) is reserved for when T-cell lymphoma spreads to the skin, but is only used when you haven't responded well enough to other medicines.
Upsides
- Velcade (bortezomib) improved response and delayed cancer progression in multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.
- First-choice treatment for multiple myeloma, and effective treatment for mantle cell lymphoma.
- Can administer Velcade (bortezomib) on your own at home, after the doctor shows you how.
- Compared to some other chemotherapy treatments, Velcade (bortezomib) causes less nausea and vomiting.
- Giving this medicine subcutaneously decreases side effects compared to intravenously.
- Targretin (bexarotene) can work when other medications have failed.
- Pill taken once daily.
Downsides
- Can worsen heart, nerve, and liver conditions.
- Usually need to take in combination with other cancer medicines.
- Because of the risk of harm during pregnancy, you need to take use contraception during treatment and for 2 months after treatment ends.
- People with diabetes will have to check their blood sugar more frequently while taking Velcade (bortezomib).
- Not a good choice if you're pregnant or planning on getting pregnant.
- You may need to take other medicines to control your cholesterol and thyroid levels while on Targretin (bexarotene).
- May lower blood sugar if you're taking diabetes medicines.
Used for
- Mantle cell lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Follicular lymphoma
- Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
- T-cell lymphoma
- T-cell lymphoma
Dosage forms
- Injection
- Pill
Price
No pricing information available
Lowest price
$28483.42
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Reviews
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Side effects
12possible side effects
- Burning or prickling sensation in limbs37%
- Low platelets30%
- Diarrhea28%
- Nausea24%
- Low white blood cells (neutrophils)23%
- Neuropathic pain23%
- Low red blood cells19%
- Low white blood cells (leukocytes)18%
- Vomiting13%
- Fever12%
- Weakness7%
- Fatigue7%
25possible side effects
- High blood lipids79%
- High cholesterol32%
- Headache30%
- Low thyroid levels28%
- Lack of energy20%
- Rash17%
- Dry skin17%
- Low white blood cells17%
- Nausea16%
- Infection13%
- Swelling in arms and legs13%
- Abdominal pain11%
- Chills10%
- Inflamed, shedding skin10%
- Higher lactic dehydrogenase7%
- Diarrhea7%
- Low red blood cells6%
- Fever5%
- Difficulty sleeping5%
- Flu-like symptoms4%
- Hair loss4%
- Low pale-red blood cells4%
- Vomiting4%
- Back pain2%
- Weight loss2%
Risks and risk factors
- Tingling or numbness in arms or legs
- Existing peripheral neuropathy (numbness, pain, or burning feeling in feet or hands)
- Low blood pressure
- History of fainting
- Taking medicines that cause low blood pressure
- Dehydration
- Heart damage
- History of heart failure
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Lung damage
- Stomach upset
- Low blood cell counts
- Harm to unborn baby
- Sexually active women and men of childbearing age
- High blood lipids
- History of high blood lipids
- Cloudy lenses in the eyes
- Older age
- Previous cataracts
- Liver problems
- Poor liver function
- Low thyroid levels
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- History of pancreas inflammation
- High blood lipids
- Drinking lots of alcohol
- Current gallbladder problems
- Taking medicines that raise triglyceride levels
- Taking other medicines that harm the pancreas
- Uncontrolled diabetes