Eribulin
Description
Eribulin is an anticancer medicine. It is used to treat breast cancer (when cells in your breast grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, creating a mass of tissue called a tumour). It works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Eribulin has some common side effects such as low blood cell counts weakness, hair loss, nausea, constipation, weightloss,etc. Hence inform your doctor if you experience side effects that persist or worsen while taking the medication.
Eribulin is given intravenously (into a vein) under the supervision of a doctor. Your doctor may need to delay your treatment or decrease your dose if you experience certain side effects.
Eribulin should be used with caution if you have an abnormally low count of white blood or nerve damage in your hands and feet. Hence inform your doctor if you have a history or are diagnosed with low blood count or nerve damage.
Eribulin is not recommended for use in children less than 18 years due to a lack of data on safety and efficacy. During pregnancy, this medication may lead to fetal harm. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medication.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Eribulin
- Low white blood cell count
- Anaemia
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Hairloss
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Muscle pain
- Weight loss
- Lack or loss of strength
- Muscle stiffness
- Back pain
- Low calcium or potassium levels
- Painful or burning urination
- Liver toxicity
Uses of Eribulin
What is it prescribed for?
- Breast cancer
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Eribulin to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe duration of time for which Eribulin remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Eribulin
- Usage in pregnancy?Eribulin is unsafe during pregnancy as it may cause foetal harm. Hence consult your doctor if you are pregnant to understand the potential risks and benefits before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Due to the lack of safety information, Eribulin should not be used while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor to understand the potential risks and benefits before taking this medicine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Eribulin is unsafe during pregnancy as it may cause foetal harm. Hence consult your doctor if you are pregnant to understand the potential risks and benefits before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Due to the lack of safety information, Eribulin should not be used while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor to understand the potential risks and benefits before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves), often causing weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet. Eribulin should be used with caution if you have peripheral neuropathy due to the increased risk of worsening the condition. Your doctor may discontinue your therapy if you are diagnosed with grade III or grade IV neuropathy until it is resolved. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent clinical monitoring to safely use this medicine.
Use in children
Eribulin is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Infections
Eribulin may weaken the immune system and may make you more vulnerable to infections. It is advised that you avoid coming in contact with people suffering from an infection while taking this medicine. Inform your doctor if you experience any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as fever, sore throat, or local infection during anticancer therapy.
Missed Dose
Eribulin is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss a scheduled appointment for receiving a dose of this medicine, call your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Eribulin is administered 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 the 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
Paclitaxel
Tramadol
Disease interactions
Liver impairment
Eribulin should be used with caution if you have liver problems due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be done by your doctor.
Kidney impairment
Eribulin should be used with caution if you have kidney problems due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Close monitoring of kidney function and appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be done by your doctor.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Eribulin is given into a vein (intravenously). It is administered in a clinic/hospital by a healthcare professional.
Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor your blood cells and electrolyte levels during treatment with this medicine.
Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, rash or severe diarrhoea while taking this medicine.
Consult your doctor if you experience any unusual effects.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Eribulin blocks the growth cycle of cancer cells and eventually kills them.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, Antimicrotubular
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 August 2022].
Cancerresearchuk.org. 2022. Eribulin (Halaven) | Cancer information | Cancer Research UK. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 August 2022].
Drugs, H., 2022. Eribulin Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 2 August 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 11 Jan 2023
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.