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Vinblastine
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Description
Vinblastine is an anti-cancer medicine. It is used in the treatment of cancers of the breast, testicle (part of the male reproductive organ), bone marrow (a spongy substance found in the centre of the bones), uterus, lymphatic system (a part of the immune system), etc. This medicine prevents the cancer cells from dividing and thereby stops their growth.
Vinblastine may cause side effects such as fever and chills, lower back pain, temporary hair loss, constipation, painful urination, nausea/vomiting, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms stay for a long time or if they become severe.
Vinblastine is administered by your doctor in a clinic or a hospital setting. Your doctor will determine the dose and duration of treatment depending on your condition. Follow the instructions given by your doctor.
Vinblastine should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have an active bacterial infection, or any lung or liver problems. Discuss with your doctor if you are currently taking any medication as they may interact with Vinblastine and cause undesired effects. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Vinblastine
Fever or chills
Lower back pain
Difficulty or painful urination
Blood in urine
Pain at the injection site
Pinpoint red spots on skin
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Black or tarry stools
Low blood cell count
Temporary Hair Loss
Constipation
Bone pain
Nausea or Vomiting
Uses of Vinblastine
What is it prescribed for?
Breast cancer
Vinblastine is used in the treatment of cancer that develops in the breast cells.
Kaposi's Sarcoma
Vinblastine is used in the treatment of Kaposi's Sarcoma, a type of cancer that affects the cells that line the lymph or blood vessels.
Testicular Cancer
Vinblastine is used for the treatment of testicular cancer, a type of cancer that affects the testicles (male sex organ).
Mycosis Fungoides
Mycosis Fungoides also called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer. It occurs when lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) become cancerous and affect the skin. Symptoms include rash, skin lesions, itchy skin, etc. Vinblastine is used in the treatment of Mycosis fungoides.
Choriocarcinoma
Vinblastine is used in the treatment of choriocarcinoma, a type of cancer that affects the uterus (womb).
Lymphoma
Vinblastine is used in the treatment of lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphocytes (infection-fighting cells of the immune system).
Histiocytosis X.
Vinblastine is used in the treatment of histiocytosis X, a type of cancer in which there is an abnormal increase in the number of a certain type of white blood cells called histiocytes (L-group) in parts of the body.
Hodgkin's Disease
Vinblastine is used for the treatment of Hodgkin's Disease which is a type of lymphoma, a blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system (a part of the immune system).
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The time required for Vinblastine to show its effect is not clinically known.Duration of effect
The time for which Vinblastine remains active in your body is not clinically known.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendency has been reported with Vinblastine.Usage in pregnancy?
Vinblastine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before receiving this medicine.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is not known if Vinblastine passes into breastmilk. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
Vinblastine is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Active infections
Vinblastine is not recommended if you have an active infection due to the increased risk of worsening your condition. Such infections should be brought under control with antibiotics before starting the treatment with this medicine.
Leukopenia
Leukopenia is a condition with a low level of disease-fighting white blood cells in your blood. Vinblastine is not recommended if you have leukopenia as it can increase your risk of infection.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Vinblastine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Vinblastine passes into breastmilk. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Intravenous adminstration
Vinblastine should be given only through the vein. Administration by other routes such as intramuscular (into the muscles), subcutaneous (under the skin), or intrathecal (into the spinal canal) could be fatal.
Low blood cell count
Vinblastine may lower your white blood cell and platelet count. Consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms like fever, abnormal bleeding, sore throat, and/or bruising. Hence, your doctor may regularly monitor your blood cell count during treatment with this medicine.
Extravasation
Extravasation is the leakage of medication given through the vein into the surrounding tissue. In some cases, Vinblastine may cause a severe local reaction due to extravasation. It may cause irritation, redness, or tissue damage. Your doctor or nurse will monitor the site of administration for this reaction.
Missed Dose
Vinblastine is given by a qualified healthcare professional, so the likelihood of missing a dose is very low. However, make a note of your next scheduled dose to avoid missing it.
Overdose
Since Vinblastine is given in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Dexamethasone
Nefazodone
Phenytoin
Clozapine
Linezolid
Ritonavir
Atorvastatin
Phenobarbital
Clarithromycin
Ketoconazole
Disease interactions
Lung disease
Vinblastine may cause shortness of breath and contraction of muscles that line the airways in your lungs. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have lung conditions.
Impaired liver function
Vinblastine is broken down in the liver. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have impaired liver function as it may lead to the accumulation of this medicine and increase the risk of toxicity. Your doctor may suggest tests to periodically monitor your liver function while you are receiving the treatment.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Vinblastine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. It is given on a weekly basis and it is important to receive every scheduled dose. Hence, make a note of the next scheduled dose.
Anti-cancer medicines like Vinblastine can cause many side effects. Discuss with your doctor to understand all the benefits and risks before starting the treatment. Consult your doctor if any side effects remain for a long time or if they become severe.
Vinblastine may lower your blood cell count. Your doctor may suggest blood tests to monitor your blood cell count during treatment with this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Vinblastine prevents the cancer cells from dividing and thereby stops their growth.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Anticancer drug
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 August 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Vinblastine Sulphate 1 mg/ml Injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 August 2021].
Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2021. TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 August 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Vinblastine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 26 August 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.