Velban Side Effects

Generic name: vinblastine

Note: This document contains side effect information about vinblastine. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Velban.

Some side effects of Velban may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to vinblastine: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking vinblastine (the active ingredient contained in Velban) hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, mouth pain, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

• pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

• numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling;

• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing);

• severe constipation;

• problems with vision, hearing, speech, balance, or daily activities;

• sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden headache or confusion;

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or

• pain, burning, redness, swelling, or skin changes where the IV needle was placed.

Less serious side effects of vinblastine may include:

• temporary hair loss;

• jaw pain;

• tumor pain, bone pain;

• missed menstrual periods;

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite; or

• feeling weak or tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to vinblastine: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution

Hematologic

Leukopenia, the most common adverse reaction, is usually the dose-limiting factor. Septicemia associated with leukopenia has been reported. Anemia and thrombocytopenia have been reported infrequently.

Oncologic

Another possible dose limiting adverse reaction is leukemia, which has been reported following radiation and vinblastine (the active ingredient contained in Velban) used in combination with agents known to intercalate with DNA.

Dermatologic

A common dermatologic side effect is alopecia. A case of light sensitivity has also been reported.

When alopecia has developed, it has frequently not been total. In some cases, hair has regrown while maintenance therapy was continued.

Gastrointestinal

The nausea and vomiting caused by vinblastine (the active ingredient contained in Velban) is usually easily controlled by antiemetic agents.

Gastrointestinal side effects including constipation, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, ileus, stomatitis, vesiculation of the mouth, pharyngitis, diarrhea, hemorrhagic enterocolitis, bleeding from an old peptic ulcer, and rectal bleeding have been reported.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects are dose related and are rare with standard dosages. Side effects including paresthesias (generally of fingers), loss of deep tendon reflexes, peripheral neuritis, mental depression, headache, and convulsions have been reported. Vestibular and auditory damage to the eighth cranial nerve has been reported rarely in patients treated with vinca alkaloids. Manifestations include deafness and difficulties with balance including dizziness, nystagmus, and vertigo. (Caution is advised if vinblastine (the active ingredient contained in Velban) is used in combination with other ototoxic agents.)

Cardiovascular

Myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents and Raynaud's phenomenon have been reported in patients receiving combination chemotherapy (which also included bleomycin and cisplatin). Orthostatic hypotension and pericarditis have also been reported.

Respiratory

Pulmonary dysfunction including acute shortness of breath and severe bronchospasm have been reported following the administration of vinca alkaloids (most frequently when used in combination with mitomycin-c). Pulmonary edema has rarely been reported.

Progressive dyspnea requiring chronic therapy may occur.

Other

Other effects including malaise, bone pain, weakness, pain in tumor-containing tissue, dizziness, jaw pain, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, urinary retention, skin vesiculation, ototoxicity, and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone have been reported. Amenorrhea and azoospermia have been reported in patients receiving combination chemotherapy (which also included an alkylating agent, procarbazine, and prednisone).

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