Bosulif (bosutinib) is a prescription brand-name medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a certain type of leukemia (blood cancer). Specifically, Bosulif is used as a long-term treatment in certain adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (Ph+ CML).

Here are some fast facts about Bosulif:

  • Active ingredient: bosutinib
  • Drug class: tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)
  • Drug form: oral tablet

Like other drugs, Bosulif can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Bosulif, including details about its uses, see this article.

Bosulif can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Bosulif in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Bosulif. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Bosulif’s patient information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Bosulif include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Bosulif and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Bosulif may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Bosulif’s patient information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Bosulif, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Bosulif may cause.

Digestive problems

Digestive problems are a common side effect of Bosulif. Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

In clinical trials, diarrhea was the most common side effect in people taking Bosulif. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. In these studies, people had diarrhea that started a few days after they started taking Bosulif, and it lasted about 2 to 3 days total. However, some people reported more frequent and longer episodes of diarrhea.

Severe diarrhea and vomiting can lead to serious dehydration. Adults ages 65 years and older may be at higher risk of dehydration.

What you can do

If you experience diarrhea while taking Bosulif, your doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent or ease digestive problems. These may include:

  • antidiarrheal drugs, such as over-the-counter loperamide (Imodium)
  • antinausea drugs, such as ondansetron (Zofran)

It’s recommended to drink plenty of fluids while taking Bosulif to stay hydrated. Severe nausea and diarrhea may cause dizziness and weakness, which can be symptoms of dehydration. If this occurs, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend hydrating fluids or treatment with IV fluids for your dehydration.

If you have questions about digestive problems with Bosulif, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Blood disorders

Blood disorders were common in clinical trials of Bosulif. Blood disorders are changes in certain blood cell levels seen on blood test results.

If blood disorders are mild, you may not have any symptoms. Depending on which type of blood disorder you have, you may develop different conditions and symptoms.

Here are some blood disorders that can occur with Bosulif and their symptoms:

It’s important to note that leukemia itself affects blood cells and can cause unusual bleeding. So some of these symptoms may also be symptoms of leukemia.

What you can do

Blood tests are used to measure the levels of different blood cells in your body. Your doctor will order blood tests before you start taking Bosulif. And you’ll keep having these tests regularly while you’re taking the drug.

If you develop blood disorders while taking Bosulif, your doctor may treat them based on the severity of your condition. Treatments can include blood transfusions, antibiotics, and iron supplements. Your doctor may also adjust your dosage of Bosulif or have you pause or stop treatment.

Edema

Edema can occur during treatment with Bosulif. This was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of Bosulif. Edema is swelling that occurs due to fluid retention (buildup) in your body.

Fluid buildup and swelling due to Bosulif can occur throughout your body. Swelling most often occurs in the hands, legs, ankles, and feet. This is known as peripheral edema. Edema can also appear as puffiness of the eyelids and face.

Less commonly, severe fluid retention can occur while taking Bosulif. This can affect your heart, lungs, and abdomen. Symptoms can include:

What you can do

If you develop symptoms of severe edema, talk with your doctor right away. They may prescribe diuretic medications to treat excessive fluid retention.

The following lifestyle changes may help ease edema. Some examples include:

  • reducing your salt intake
  • exercising regularly
  • elevating your legs when possible
  • wearing compression sleeves, socks, or stockings
  • avoiding sitting or standing still for long periods of time
  • limiting hot showers, baths, and saunas

If you have questions about edema while taking Bosulif, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Bosulif can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Bosulif. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Bosulif may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Bosulif cause skin problems?

Yes, several skin-related side effects were commonly reported in people who took Bosulif during clinical trials. Skin rash was one of the most common side effects.

Skin-related side effects of Bosulif may include:

Most skin-related side effects are mild or manageable. If these side effects bother you or become severe, talk with your doctor. They may suggest seeing a dermatologist (skin specialist) or advise you on how to best take care of your skin while taking Bosulif.

Can taking Bosulif make me bruise or bleed more easily than usual?

Yes, it’s possible that you may bruise or bleed more easily than usual while taking Bosulif.

The blood disorder* thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets) is a common side effect of Bosulif. When you don’t have enough platelets in your blood, you may bruise or bleed more easily than usual. Additional symptoms of low platelets include:

Your doctor will likely have you get blood tests regularly during treatment with Bosulif. They’ll monitor your platelets, and you should tell them if you develop any of the above symptoms. If your platelets drop too low, your doctor will likely pause treatment until your platelets return to normal. When your treatment continues, they may also change your dosage.

If you have any questions about bruising or bleeding with Bosulif, talk with your doctor.

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Bosulif. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Diabetes. Taking Bosulif may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, taking Bosulif may make it more difficult to manage these levels. Your doctor will likely test your blood regularly and have you monitor your blood sugar levels while you take Bosulif. They may also suggest changes to your diabetes treatment plan.

Heart problems. Bosulif can cause certain side effects that may make heart problems worse. These side effects can include edema, increased blood pressure, and heart failure. Before starting Bosulif treatment, talk with your doctor about any heart problems you have. They’ll likely monitor your heart function while you’re taking this medication.

Kidney problems. If you have kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease, talk with your doctor before taking Bosulif. In clinical trials, there have been reports of mild to severe kidney damage and kidney failure while taking Bosulif. Your doctor may not prescribe Bosulif if you have kidney problems. But if they do, they’ll likely monitor your kidney function while you take the drug.

Liver problems. If you have liver disease, talk with your doctor before taking Bosulif.The drug may cause liver damage. So if you have liver disease, the drug may worsen it. Your doctor will likely monitor your liver function using blood tests while you take the drug.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Bosulif or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Bosulif. Talk with your doctor about other medications that might be better choices for you.

Alcohol and Bosulif

Drinking alcohol isn’t known to interact with Bosulif. However, drinking alcohol may cause some of the same side effects as Bosulif, including:

If you drink alcohol and take Bosulif, these side effects could worsen.

Talk with your doctor about how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to consume while taking Bosulif.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Bosulif

Your doctor will likely not prescribe Bosulif for you if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. The drug hasn’t been studied in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Based on animal studies of Bosulif, the drug is likely to cause harmful effects in a developing fetus. If you are able to become pregnant, you should have a pregnancy test before you start taking Bosulif. This is to confirm that you aren’t pregnant. You should also use birth control during treatment with Bosulif and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

Bosulif is likely not safe to take while breastfeeding. This is based on animal studies, which showed that the drug passes into breast milk. Your doctor will likely recommend that you do not breastfeed a child during treatment with Bosulif and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor before taking Bosulif.

If you’d like to learn more about Bosulif, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects of taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.