Vinblastine

Generic name: vinblastine [ vin-BLAS-teen ]
Brand name: Velban
Dosage form: intravenous solution (1 mg/mL)
Drug class: Mitotic inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 23, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is 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 in combination with other cancer drugs.

Vinblastine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Vinblastine side effects

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

Vinblastine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• wheezing, trouble breathing;

• chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;

• severe constipation;

• ongoing nausea or vomiting;

• numbness, tingling, burning pain;

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

• mouth pain or ulcers; 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 occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

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

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

Before taking this medicine

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 than 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.

How is vinblastine given?

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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

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

Since vinblastine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur. However, overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid while receiving vinblastine?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

What other drugs will affect vinblastine?

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.

Further information

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.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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