Vinorelbine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 13, 2024.

Applies to vinorelbine: intravenous solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (solution)

Myelosuppression: Severe myelosuppression resulting in serious infection, septic shock, hospitalization and death can occur.

Decrease the dose or withhold vinorelbine in accord with recommended dose modifications.

Serious side effects of vinorelbine

Along with its needed effects, vinorelbine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking vinorelbine:

More common side effects

• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• blood in the urine or stools
• bluish color of the skin
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• changes in skin color
• chest pain
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• constipation
• cough
• dark urine
• decreased appetite
• dizziness
• feeling of fullness in the ears
• fever
• headache
• hoarseness
• itching, skin rash
• loss of appetite
• loss of balance
• loss of hearing
• lower back or side pain
• muscle pains, cramps, or stiffness
• nausea
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• ringing or buzzing in the ears
• sneezing
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach pain or tenderness
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• swollen glands
• tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over the affected area
• trouble in hearing
• troubled breathing with exertion
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• yellow eyes or skin

Less common side effects

• chest tightness
• increased sensitivity to pain or touch
• overactive reflexes, followed by underactive reflexes
• trouble breathing

Rare side effects

• agitation
• chest discomfort
• confusion
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• decreased urine output
• depression
• frequent urination
• hostility
• irritability
• loss of consciousness
• lower abdominal cramping
• muscle twitching
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• severe sleepiness
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• anxiety
• blistering or sloughing of the skin
• bloating
• blurred vision
• change in walking and balance
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• difficult, fast, noisy breathing
• difficulty in swallowing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• heartburn
• hives or welts
• increased sweating
• increased thirst
• indigestion
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• lightheadedness
• nervousness
• pain or burning in the throat
• pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• pale skin
• pounding in the ears
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness, swelling, or pain of the skin
• scaling of the skin on the hands and feet
• slow heartbeat
• ulceration of the skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking vinorelbine:

Symptoms of overdose

• chest pain
• chills
• confusion
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• lightheadedness
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• partial or slight paralysis
• rapid, shallow breathing
• severe constipation
• severe stomach pain
• severe vomiting
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swollen glands
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects of vinorelbine

Some side effects of vinorelbine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• change in taste
• diarrhea
• difficulty in moving
• impaired hearing
• joint pain or swelling
• lack or loss of strength
• thinning or loss of hair

Incidence not known

• back pain
• cracked, dry, scaly skin
• feeling of warmth or heat
• flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• jaw pain
• pain and redness of the skin at the place of earlier radiation treatment

For healthcare professionals

Applies to vinorelbine: intravenous solution.

Hematologic adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (89%), anemia (89%), leukopenia (88%), thrombocytopenia (29%)
• Frequency not reported: Febrile neutropenia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): AST increased (67%), bilirubin increased (13%)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (44%), constipation (35%), vomiting (20%), diarrhea (17%), stomatitis (15%), abdominal pain
• Common (1% to 10%): Esophagitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Paralytic ileus, pancreatitis
• Frequency not reported: GI bleeding^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site reactions (e.g., erythema, burning sensation, venous discoloration, local phlebitis)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Local necrosis
• Frequency not reported: Neutropenic septicemia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Peripheral neuropathy (25%), neurological alterations (e.g., loss of deep tendon reflexes)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Severe paresthesia with sensory and motor symptoms^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (12%)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Generalized skin reactions
• Frequency not reported: Erythema of hands and feet
• Postmarketing reports: Pruritus, urticaria^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Phlebitis, chest pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension, hypertension, flushing, peripheral coldness
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Ischemic heart disease (e.g., angina pectoris, myocardial infarction), severe hypotension, cardiovascular collapse
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Tachycardia, palpitations, altered heart rhythm
• Frequency not reported: Myocardial infarction^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, cough
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Interstitial lung disease
• Postmarketing reports: Pneumonia, pulmonary edema^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Lower limb weakness
• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, myalgia, pain in jaw
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Severe hyponatremia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysuria^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Stomatitis (15%), anorexia, weight loss
• Common (1% to 10%): Weight gain
• Frequency not reported: Anorexia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Systemic allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid reaction)
• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Common (1% to 10%): Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections (e.g., respiratory tract, urinary tract, GI tract)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Severe sepsis, septicemia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Complicated septicemia (sometimes fatal)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Visual disorder^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Asthenia (36%), ototoxicity (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, fever, pain at different sites (e.g., chest pain, pain at the site of the tumor, headache, dizziness, taste disorder
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ataxia^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)^[Ref]

Further information

Vinorelbine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer