Uses

Vinblastine is used to treat cancer. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

How To Use

This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional. It is usually given once a week or as directed by your doctor. To prevent leakage of the medication into tissue around the vein, vinblastine should be injected over 1 minute. Tell your health care professional right away if you experience pain, burning, or redness at the injection site. This medication should not be mixed in a large amount of solution and/or injected over a long time (such as 30 to 60 minutes) unless directed by your doctor. Doing so may increase the risk of leakage. If the medication starts to leak into tissue, the injection should be stopped and the remaining solution should be given into a different vein.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to treatment. Your doctor will do blood tests (complete blood count) to find the right dose for you. Your next dose may need to be rescheduled if your white blood cell count is too low.

Avoid getting this medication in your eye. If this occurs, wash the affected eye(s) well and contact your doctor.

Unless your doctor instructs you otherwise, drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. Doing so helps your kidneys to remove the drug from your body and avoid some of the side effects.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Pain/redness at the injection site, nausea, vomiting, constipation, tiredness, and loss of appetite may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Eating several small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To prevent constipation, eat dietary fiber, drink enough water, and exercise. You may also need to take a laxative. Ask your pharmacist which type of laxative is right for you.

Temporary hair loss is another common side effect. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

Many people using this medication may have serious side effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.

Painful sores on the lips, mouth, and throat may occur. To decrease the risk, limit hot foods and drinks, brush your teeth carefully, avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol, and rinse your mouth frequently with cool water.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• easy bleeding/bruising
• fast/pounding heartbeat
• abdominal/stomach pain
• bone/jaw pain
• severe headache
• hearing problems
• unusual lumps/skin changes
• dizziness/feeling of spinning
• mental/mood changes (such as depression)
• pale/bluish fingers/toes
• pain/coldness in fingers/toes
• numbness/tingling
• difficult/painful urination
• pink/bloody urine

Get medical help right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

• sudden shortness of breath/wheezing
• black/tarry stools
• chest/left arm pain
• confusion
• seizures
• trouble speaking
• weakness on one side of the body
• vision changes
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds

This medication can lower the body's ability to fight an infection. Tell your doctor promptly if you develop any signs of an infection such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, or chills.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using vinblastine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

• bone marrow problems (such as low white count/platelets from previous chemotherapy/radiation treatment, tumor in the bone marrow)
• untreated bacterial infection

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially:

• blood vessel problems (such as blood clots, stroke, Raynaud's disease, varicose veins)
• heart disease (such as angina, heart attack)
• poor nutrition
• liver disease
• lung problems
• stomach/intestinal sores (such as peptic ulcer)
• skin sores (ulcers)

Tell your health care professional that you are using vinblastine before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

To lower your risk of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness.

Older adults (especially if they have poor nutrition or skin sores) may be at greater risk for infections while using this drug.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using vinblastine. Vinblastine may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• aspirin and other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen)
• hydantoins (such as phenytoin)
• tolterodine
• drugs that may harm the ears (for example, cisplatin, carboplatin, aminoglycosides such as gentamicin)

Other medications can affect the removal of vinblastine from your body, which may affect how vinblastine works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, voriconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), among others.

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin) that may increase your risk of bleeding. Low-dose aspirin should be continued if prescribed by your doctor for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually 81-162 milligrams a day). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Your doctor may direct you to limit citrus (and other foods/products that increase the acid level of urine) during treatment. Consult your doctor.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: seizures.

Notes

Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood counts) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).