Drug Status in USA : Approved Drug Status in Canada : Approved
pronunciation
pronounced as (vin blas' teen)
Why is this medication prescribed?
Vinblastine is used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (types of cancer that begin in a type of white blood cell that normally fights infection), and cancer of the testicles. It is also used to treat Langerhans cell histiocytosis (histiocytosis X; Letterer-Siwe disease; a condition in which too many of a certain type of white blood cell grows in parts of the body). It may also be used to treat breast cancer that has not improved after treatment with other medications and gestational trophoblastic tumors (a type of tumor that forms inside a woman's uterus while she is pregnant) that has not improved after surgery or treatment with other medications. Vinblastine is in a class of medications called vinca alkaloids. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body.
How should this medicine be used?
Vinblastine comes as a powder or solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. It is usually given once a week. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
Your doctor may need to delay your treatment or change your dose if you experience certain side effects. It is important for you to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with vinblastine injection.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
What are the precautions to be followed?
Before receiving vinblastine,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to vinblastine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in vinblastine injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: aprepitant (Emend), certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, others); HIV protease inhibitors including indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); phenytoin (Dilantin), tolterodine (Detrol, Detrol LA). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medications you are taking so they can check whether any of your medications may increase the risk that you will develop hearing problems during your treatment with vinblastine.
tell your doctor if you have an infection. Your doctor will want to treat your infection before you receive vinblastine injection.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or blood vessel disease, including varicose veins (swelling, redness, or pain in a vein in your arms or legs), or lung or liver disease.
you should know that vinblastine may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may temporarily or permanently stop sperm production in men. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You should not become pregnant or breast-feed while you are receiving vinblastine injection. If you become pregnant while receiving vinblastine injection, call your doctor. Vinblastine may harm the fetus.
What are possible side effects of this medication ?
Vinblastine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
constipation
nausea
vomiting
loss of appetite or weight
stomach pain
diarrhea
headache
dizziness
jaw pain, bone pain, and other aches
hair loss
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
unusual bleeding or bruising
sores in the mouth
unusual tiredness or weakness
pain, numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
difficulty walking or unsteady walking
difficulty breathing
hearing loss
seizures
chest pain
Vinblastine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?
Drug Category/Class
Antineoplastic Agents
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
Tubulin Modulators
Antineoplastic and Immunomodulating Agents
Vinca Alkaloids and Analogues
BSEP
ABCB11 Inhibitors
Combined Inhibitors of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein
CYP2D6 Inducers
CYP2D6 Inducers (strong)
Immunosuppressive Agents
CYP3A4 Inhibitors
Vinca alkaloids and analogues
Prescribed
For treatment of breast cancer, testicular cancer, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, mycosis fungoides, histiocytosi...