If you have a certain type of blood cancer, your doctor might discuss Bosulif as a treatment option for you.

Bosulif is a prescription medication that’s used to treat a form of chronic myelogenous leukemia in certain adults.

The active ingredient in Bosulif is bosutinib. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Bosulif belongs to a drug class called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.) Bosulif comes as a tablet that you swallow.

This article describes the usual dosages of Bosulif, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more about Bosulif, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Bosulif’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when using Bosulif, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

Below you’ll find common dosage information for Bosulif. For more details, you can refer to the Bosulif package insert.

What is Bosulif’s form?

Bosulif comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Bosulif strengths (100 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg)

Bosulif comes in three strengths: 100 milligrams (mg), 400 mg, and 500 mg.

What are the usual dosages of Bosulif?

Your dosage of Bosulif depends on factors such as the type and severity of your condition, your overall health, and whether you’ve tried other kinds of treatment before.

In some cases, your doctor may start you on a lower dose and slowly increase your dosage based on how your body responds to treatment.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosing for newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

The Bosulif dosage for newly diagnosed Ph+ CML that has not yet been treated is 400 mg taken once per day.

Dosing for Ph+ CML that has been previously treated

The Bosulif dosage for Ph+ CML that has been treated before is 500 mg taken once per day. You would take this dosage of Bosulif if you’d tried another treatment for Ph+ CML, but it wasn’t successful or you had bothersome side effects from it.

Is Bosulif used long term?

Yes, Bosulif is usually taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor decide that Bosulif is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll take it long term.

Dosage adjustments

Your Bosulif dosage may need to be adjusted if you have certain conditions, such as a liver, kidney, or blood disorder.

You may also need a dosage adjustment if you experience serious side effects. These might include raised liver enzyme levels, severe diarrhea, or blood disorders such as low white blood cell levels or low levels of platelets (cells that help with blood clotting). For more information about Bosulif’s side effects, see this article.

If Bosulif isn’t effective for you or stops working during your treatment, your doctor may increase your dosage by increments of 100 mg taken once per day. In some cases, your dosage may be increased up to a maximum dosage of 600 mg taken once per day.

If you need a different dosage of Bosulif, your doctor will give you more details.

The dosage of Bosulif you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Bosulif to treat
  • your age
  • other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is Bosulif’s dosage?”)
  • serious side effects you experience
  • other medications you may be taking

Bosulif comes as a tablet that you swallow. You’ll take Bosulif once per day with food. Try to take your dose around the same time every day. This helps keep a steady level of the medication in your body. You shouldn’t crush, split or chew Bosulif tablets.

If you have trouble swallowing pills, see this article for tips on how to take tablets.

Bosulif is only available through select specialty pharmacies. Your doctor can provide more information on where you can get your Bosulif prescription filled.

For information on Bosulif expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

If you forget to take your dose of Bosulif, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s been more than 12 hours since you were supposed to take it, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its regular time.

You shouldn’t take two doses of Bosulif at once to make up for a missed dose. This could raise your risk of side effects.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Bosulif on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not take more Bosulif than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Bosulif

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Bosulif. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Bosulif for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Bosulif without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Bosulif exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Would a lower dose of Bosulif still work for my condition?
  • Does my Bosulif dosage need to change if I’m taking other medications?
  • Will my dosage be adjusted if I experience side effects with Bosulif?

Q:

Will I need a dosage adjustment if I have diarrhea with Bosulif?

Anonymous

A:

It’s possible. Diarrhea is a common side effect of Bosulif and may occur when you begin treatment. For most people, this is a temporary side effect.

If you experience diarrhea, your doctor may recommend avoiding foods that are spicy or high in fat. Other suggestions may include drinking plenty of fluids or taking an over-the-counter treatment such as loperamide (Imodium).

If you have severe diarrhea, which could include seven or more loose stools per day or bloody diarrhea, call your doctor right away. They may have you stop taking Bosulif until your diarrhea goes away. Then, they’ll likely restart your treatment at a lower dose (400 mg per day). If you’re still experiencing severe diarrhea, they may lower your dose again, or they may have you stop taking Bosulif and switch to a different treatment.

If you’re concerned about your risk of diarrhea with Bosulif, talk with your doctor.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.