vinblastine

What is the most important information I should know about vinblastine?

What is vinblastine?

Vinblastine is used to treat Hodgkin's disease, certain types of lymphoma, testicular cancer, breast cancer, choriocarcinoma (a type of uterine cancer), Kaposi's sarcoma, and Letterer-Siwe disease.

Vinblastine is often used in combination with other cancer drugs.

Vinblastine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving vinblastine?

• severely low white blood cell counts; or
• an untreated or uncontrolled bacterial infection.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• breathing problems;
• coronary artery disease, a blood clot or stroke (including "mini-stroke");
• liver disease;
• wasting syndrome (decreased weight with loss of muscle tissue);
• skin ulcers, bed sores; or
• cancer than has spread to your bone marrow.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men.

How is vinblastine given?

Vinblastine is given as an infusion into a vein, usually once every 7 days. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when vinblastine is injected.

You may need frequent medical tests to be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Vinblastine may cause constipation. Ask your doctor how to avoid severe constipation.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

Since vinblastine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur. However, overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid while receiving vinblastine?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

What are the possible side effects of vinblastine?

• wheezing, trouble breathing;
• chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;
• severe constipation;
• ongoing nausea or vomiting;
• numbness, tingling, burning pain;
• problems with vision, hearing, speech, balance, or daily activities;
• mouth pain or ulcers; or
• low blood cell counts --fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Common side effects may include:

• low blood cell counts;
• jaw pain, tumor pain, bone pain;
• constipation; or
• temporary hair loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect vinblastine?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• nefazodone;
• phenytoin;
• an antibiotic --clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;
• antifungal medicine --itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole; or
• antiviral medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C --boceprevir, cobicistat, dasabuvir, elvitegravir, indinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir saquinavir, telaprevir, tipranavir.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect vinblastine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about vinblastine.