Bosutinib

Say it: boh-SOO-tih-nib · Brand names: Bosulif

Bosutinib is a targeted pill that blocks the abnormal protein that drives chronic myeloid leukemia.

What it is

In chronic myeloid leukemia, two genes join to make an abnormal protein called BCR-ABL. It tells blood cells to grow out of control. Bosutinib blocks BCR-ABL.

Often used for

• chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with the Philadelphia chromosome, in adults and children

How you get it

It is taken by mouth once a day with food. It comes as a pill or a capsule. Many people take it for years. Your schedule may be different.

Common side effects and what helps

• Diarrhea, often in the first weeks. Drink plenty of fluids and ask your team which diarrhea medicine to keep at home.
• Nausea and vomiting. Take it with food and eat small meals.
• Belly pain. Tell your team if it is bad.
• Rash. Use gentle soap and moisturizer.
• Feeling tired. Rest when you need to and take short walks when you can.
• Changes in liver blood tests. Your team will check these.
• Low blood counts, found on blood tests. Your team will check them.

Call your care team right away if you have

• Diarrhea that does not get better with the medicine your team told you to use, or 4 or more extra stools a day
• Vomiting that will not stop, or you cannot keep fluids down
• Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or pain on the right side of your belly
• A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, chills, or other signs of infection
• Bleeding that will not stop, black or bloody stools, or coughing up blood
• Fast weight gain, swelling, or shortness of breath

Before you start, tell your team

• If you take medicines for heartburn or stomach acid
• If you have liver, kidney, or heart problems
• If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• All the medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you take, since some can change how this medicine works

Good to know

• You will have liver blood tests every month for the first 3 months, then as needed.
• You will have blood counts and kidney tests regularly.
• Fluid can build up around the lungs or heart. Tell your team about swelling or breathing changes.
• This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Ask your team about birth control during treatment and for a while after.

At home

• Take it with food, at about the same time each day.
• If you cannot swallow the capsules, ask your team. The label allows them to be opened and mixed with applesauce or yogurt.
• If you miss a dose or throw up after a dose, ask your team what to do. Do not take an extra dose on your own.
• Store the pills at room temperature in their original container, away from children and pets.
• Wash your hands after touching the pills. Ask your team if others in your home should take special care.
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice, since it can raise the amount of medicine in your blood.

Questions to ask

• How long will I take this medicine?
• How often will I have blood tests to check how well it is working?
• Are any of my other medicines, foods, or supplements a problem with this medicine?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?
• Which side effects should I call you about right away, and which can wait?

Side effect guides

• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Skin rash (including EGFR-inhibitor rash)
• Pain

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.