vinblastine

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Pronunciation: vin BLAS teen

Brand: Velban

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

You should not receive this medicine if you have severely low white blood cell counts, or an untreated or uncontrolled bacterial infection.

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

What is vinblastine?

Vinblastine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

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 medications.

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

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

You should not receive vinblastine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

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

To make sure vinblastine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

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

Do not use vinblastine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether vinblastine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How is vinblastine given?

Vinblastine is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Vinblastine is usually given once every 7 days. Follow your doctor's instructions.

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

Vinblastine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.

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

Talk to your doctor about ways to avoid constipation while being treated with vinblastine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your vinblastine injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while receiving vinblastine?

Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using vinblastine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

What are the possible side effects of vinblastine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe constipation;
  • easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
  • problems with vision, hearing, speech, balance, or daily activities;
  • bronchospasm --wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing;
  • signs of infection --fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores; or
  • increased blood pressure --severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath.

Common side effects may include:

  • temporary hair loss;
  • jaw pain, tumor pain, bone pain;
  • nausea, vomiting; or
  • general ill feeling.

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 medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with vinblastine, especially:

  • nefazodone;
  • an antibiotic --clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;
  • antifungal medication --itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole;
  • hepatitis C medications --boceprevir, telaprevir; or
  • HIV/AIDS medication --atazanavir, cobicistat, delavirdine, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with vinblastine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about vinblastine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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