vinorelbine

Generic Name: vinorelbine
Other Brand Names: Navelbine
Overview Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose

What is vinorelbine?

Vinorelbine is an antineoplastic medication. Vinorelbine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Vinorelbine is used to treat lung cancer.

Vinorelbine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vinorelbine?

Do not use vinorelbine without first talking to your doctor if you have

  • liver disease;

  • lung problems;

  • nerve problems;

  • any type of infection; or

  • blood or bone marrow problems.

The use of vinorelbine may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Vinorelbine is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that vinorelbine is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use vinorelbine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Contraceptive measures are recommended during treatment with vinorelbine.

It is not know whether vinorelbine passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding should be avoided during treatment with vinorelbine.

How should I take vinorelbine?

Vinorelbine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with vinorelbine depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice redness, pain or swelling at the place of injection or anywhere else on your skin.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with vinorelbine to monitor progress and side effects.

Your healthcare provider will store vinorelbine as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing vinorelbine at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose of vinorelbine?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of vinorelbine.

Where can I get more information about vinorelbine?
Your pharmacist has information about vinorelbine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of vinorelbine?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects from vinorelbine, contact your doctor immediately:

  • an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  • decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or signs of infection);

  • redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site;

  • abdominal pain or constipation;

  • shortness of breath or cough;

  • numbness, tingling, or weakness; or

  • chest pain.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking vinorelbine and talk to your doctor if you experience:

  • hair loss;

  • fatigue or tiredness;

  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite; or

  • soreness or inflammation or the mouth or sores on the lips or inside the mouth.

Other side effects have also been reported. Discuss with your doctor any side effect that occurs during treatment with vinorelbine.

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

Vinorelbine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of vinorelbine including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or signs of infection); lung problems (shortness of breath, cough); severe constipation or abdominal pain; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with vinorelbine.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice redness, pain or swelling at the place of injection or anywhere else on your skin.

What should I avoid while taking vinorelbine?

Vinorelbine can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with vinorelbine. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

What other drugs will affect vinorelbine?

Do not receive "live” vaccines during treatment with vinorelbine. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with vinorelbine.

Many other drugs may also interact vinorelbine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with vinorelbine.

What happens if I have an overdose of vinorelbine?

If, for any reason an overdose of vinorelbine is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a vinorelbine overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

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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. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008