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 together with other cancer medications.

Vinblastine may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not be treated with vinblastine if you have very low white blood cell counts or if you have an uncontrolled bacterial infection.

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

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.

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 that has spread to your bone marrow.

Vinblastine may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant. vinblastine may cause missed menstrual periods.

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

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

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

Vinblastine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• wheezing, trouble breathing;
• chest pain or pressure, pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder;
• severe constipation;
• ongoing nausea or vomiting;
• numbness, tingling, or burning pain;
• issues with vision, hearing, speech, balance, or daily activities;
• mouth pain or sores; 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 of vinblastine 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 happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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.

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

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

Since vinblastine is administered by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is not likely to happen. However, symptoms of an overdose may include severe versions of some side effects mentioned in this medication guide.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have infections. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection.

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.