What is Vinblastine?
Vinblastine can be used to treat Hodgkin’s disease, certain forms of lymphoma, cancers of the testicles, breast, uterine, and Kaposi sarcoma.
Vinblastine is commonly used in combination with other cancer medications.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of vinblastine.
Side effects of Vinblastine
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
Vinblastine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Difficulty breathing;
- Pain in your chest or pressure that spreads to your jaw, shoulder, or neck
- Constipation is severe.
- Ongoing nausea or vomiting;
- Numbness, tingling, burning pain;
- Problems with speech, hearing, balance, vision, or daily activities.
- Mouth ulcers or pain
- Low blood counts: fever; chills; a sore throat; body aches; easy bruises; unusual bleeding. Pale skin, cold feet and hands, feeling lightheaded
Some of the common side effects associated with vinblastine include:
- Low blood cell count
- Jaw pain, tumor pain, bone pain;
- Constipation is a common symptom.
- Temporary hair loss
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Vinblastine should not be used if your white blood cell count is severely low or if you are suffering from an uncontrolled infection.
If you experience any pain or swelling when the vinblastine IV needle is inserted, tell your carers.
Before you take this drug
Vinblastine should not be given to you if:
- Low white blood cell count;
- Uncontrolled or untreated bacterial infections
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Breathing problems
- Stroke or a blood clot (including a "mini-stroke");
- Liver disease
- Wasting syndrome (decreased body weight with loss of muscle tissue);
- Skin ulcers, bed sores,
- Cancer that has spread to the bone marrow.
Vibrantine can harm an unborn child. Prevent pregnancy with effective contraception, and inform your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant. Vinblastine may cause missed menstrual periods.
This medication may have an effect on fertility (the ability to conceive children) in males.This medicine should not be used while breastfeeding.
How to take Vinblastine?
Vinblastine infusions are given into a vein once every seven days. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.If you experience any pain or swelling when the vinblastine IV needle is inserted, tell your carers.
It may be necessary to have frequent medical tests in order to ensure that this medication does not have any harmful side effects. The results may delay your cancer treatment.Vinblastine may cause constipation. Consult your doctor about how to prevent severe constipation.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are unable to keep your appointment for vinblastine, call your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
Vinblastine is administered by healthcare professionals in a medical environment, so an overdose is unlikely. Overdose symptoms can include the severe versions of side effects that are listed in this medication guide.
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
Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:
- Nefazodone;
- Phenytoin;
- An antibiotic—clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;
- Antifungal medicine: itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole; or
- Antiviral medicines to treat HIV and hepatitis C: boceprevir (cobicistat), dasabuvir (elvitegravir), indinavir (lopinavir/ritonavir), nelfinavir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, saquinavir, telaprevir, and tipranavir
This list is incomplete. Vinblastine may be affected by other drugs, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and vitamin and herb products. This list does not include all possible interactions with other drugs.
