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Velban, |Velban

Velban

Generic Name: vinblastine (vin BLAH steen)
Brand Names: Velban

What is vinblastine?

Vinblastine is cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Vinblastine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Vinblastine is used to treat some types of lymphoma, Hodgkin"s disease, testicular cancer, breast cancer, choriocarcinoma, mycosis fungoides, Kaposi"s sarcoma, and Letterer-Siwe disease.

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

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

Vinblastine 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 vinblastine 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; fever or chills; or signs of infection); severe nausea, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with vinblastine.

Who should not use vinblastine?

• liver disease;

• lung problems;

• any type of infection; or

• blood or bone marrow problems.

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

How should I use vinblastine?

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

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 determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with vinblastine 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.

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

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of vinblastine.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while using vinblastine?

Vinblastine 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 vinblastine. 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.

Talk to your doctor before taking glutamic acid or tryptophan as they may interfere with the action of vinblastine.

Vinblastine side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects from vinblastine, 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 sore throat, fever, chills, or signs of infection);

• nerve problems (numbness, tingling, or burning in hands or feet);

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

• pain, redness, or burning at the injection site.

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

• hair loss;

• jaw pain;

• pain in the organs containing the cancer;

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

• depression;

• headache;

• dizziness or vertigo;

• hearing loss or changes in hearing;

• weakness; or

• tiredness.

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

What other drugs will affect vinblastine?

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

Where can I get more information?

• Your healthcare provider may have additional information about vinblastine that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Vinblastine is available with a prescription under the brand name Velban. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• 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.