What is Halaven?
Halaven, a cancer drug, interferes with cancer cell growth and spread in the body.Halaven can be used to treat metastatic breast cancer.Halaven can also be used to treat liposarcoma. This rare cancer develops anywhere in the body in fatty tissues. This drug is prescribed for liposarcomas that are resistant to surgery or have spread to other parts of the body.Halaven should only be given if at least two other cancer therapies have failed or stopped working.
Side effects of Halaven
If you experience any of the following symptoms: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or severe skin reactions (fever or sore throat with burning eyes, skin pain or blistering, or red or purple rash),
If you experience:
- Chest pains, dizziness, or fast heartbeats.
- You may experience tingling or burning in your feet or hands.
- Pain or burning after urinating;
- Low calcium level: muscle contractions or spasms, numbness, or tingling feeling (around the mouth or fingers and toes);
- Low sodium level; cramps in the legs; constipation; increased thirst or urination; numbness, tingling or numbness; muscle weakness; or limp feeling.
- Low blood cell counts: fever, chills, and tiredness; mouth sores or skin sores; easy bruising and bleeding. Pale skin, cold feet, and cold hands
If you experience certain side effects, your cancer treatment may be halted or delayed.
Halaven may cause side effects such as:
- Low blood cell count
- Low calcium or potassium levels
- Nausea, constipation;
- Hair loss;
- Feeling tired or weak?
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor.Contacting the FDA in regards to potential side effects can be done via their hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Halaven should not be used if you're pregnant. It can harm an unborn child.Tell your doctor before you take Halaven if you suffer from liver or kidney disease. Also, tell them if you've had a family history of Long QT syndrome or a personal history.You may bleed or get infected more easily if you take Halaven. If you notice unusual bleeding or bruising, or if there are signs of infection such as fever, chills, cough, or painful urination, call your doctor.Avoid being around people who are sick. Immediately notify your physician if any signs of infection emerge.If you experience any serious side effects while taking Halaven, such as a fever, chills, or body aches; flu symptoms; or mouth sores or pain when you urinate, Other serious side effects include pale skin, feeling faint or short of breath, a fast or irregular heartbeat, severe numbness in your hands or feet, extreme thirst or tingling, leg discomfort, or muscle weakness.
Before you take this drug
Halaven should not be used if you have an allergy to eribulin.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure Halaven will be safe for you:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Heart problems
- Long-QT syndrome
- An electrolyte imbalance can occur when there is a low level of magnesium or potassium in the blood.
If either the mother or father uses this medicine, it can cause harm to an unborn child.
- Halaven is not recommended for women who are pregnant. Use birth control to avoid pregnancy during the time you use this medication and for 2 weeks following your last dose.
- Use effective birth control if you're a man and your partner can get pregnant. Continue to use birth control at least for 3.5 months (14 weeks) after your last dose.
- Do not wait to tell your doctor if you become pregnant while using Halaven.
Both men and women may be affected by this medicine. It is still important to use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as eribulin may harm the unborn child.Do not breastfeed for 2 weeks after taking this medication.
How to take Halaven?
Halaven can be infused into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.Halaven can be given as a 21-day cycle of treatment. The medicine may only be needed for the first one to two weeks of each treatment cycle. Your doctor will decide how long you should take this medication.Your vulnerability to infection and bleeding increases significantly as you age. You will have to test your blood frequently. The results may delay your cancer treatment.You may need to have your heart function checked with an ECG or electrocardiograph (also called an EKG).
Details on dosage
Adult dose for breast cancer:
1.4 mg/m2 intravenously over 2–5 minutes on the first and eighth days of a cycle lasting 21 days
Comments:
This drug should only be used under the supervision and guidance of a physician who is familiar with the proper use of cytotoxic medicines.
Patients may feel nauseated or experience vomiting. Consider antiemetic prophylaxis, including corticosteroids.
Before each dose, the peripheral neuropathy must be assessed. Complete blood cell counts are also required.
Use: To treat patients with metastatic breast cancer who have received at least two chemotherapeutic regimens to treat metastatic disease. Anthracycline or taxane should have been used in the previous therapy, either as adjuvant treatment or for metastatic disease.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are unable to attend your Halaven appointment, call your doctor and ask for instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you think someone has consumed poison and needs medical help, or seek immediate medical advice.Infections such as fever and chills can be symptoms of an overdose.
What should be avoided?
Avoid being around people who are sick. If you notice any signs of an infection, tell your doctor immediately.
Interaction with other drug
Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, may also interact with eribulin. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using.
