Vinblastine

Vinblastine is a prescription medication used for the treatment of testicle and bladder cancer, and Hodgkin’s disease. 

• Vinblastine is available under the following different brand names: Velban

Common side effects of Vinblastine include:

• pain or redness at the injection site,
• nausea,
• vomiting (may be severe),
• constipation,
• temporary hair loss,
• tiredness, and
• loss of appetite

Serious side effects of Vinblastine include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• painful sores on the lips, mouth, and throat,
• easy bruising,
• unusual bruising,
• fast or pounding heartbeat,
• stomach pain,
• bone or jaw pain,
• severe headache,
• hearing problems,
• unusual lumps or skin changes,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• mental or mood changes,
• pale or bluish fingers and toes,
• pain or coldness in the fingers or toes,
• numbness or tingling,
• difficulty or painful urination,
• pink or bloody urine,
• shortness of breath,
• wheezing,
• black or bloody stools,
• chest or left arm pain,
• confusion,
• seizures,
• trouble speaking,
• weakness on one side of the body,
• vision changes,
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds,
• fever,
• chills,
• persistent sore throat,
• rash, and
• itching

Rare side effects of Vinblastine include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Injectable solution

• 1 mg/mL

Powder for injection

• 10 mg

Cancers

Adult dosage

General Dosing Ranges

• 3.7-18 mg/m²/day intravenous every 7-10 days  
• 1st dose 3.7 mg/m²/day intravenous
• Increased by 1.85 mg/m² every week until WBC equals 3000/mm³
• Dose range: 5.5-7.4 mg/m²
• Not to exceed 18.5 mg/m²

Pediatric dosage

General Dosing Ranges

• 2.5- 12.5 mg/m² Intravenous over 1 minute every 7-10 days 
• 1st dose 2.5 mg/m² Intravenous
• Increase by 1.25 mg/m² every Week until WBC = 3000/mm³
• No more than 12.5 mg/m²

Hodgkin's Disease

Adult dosage

• 6 mg/m² every 2 weeks; part of combination treatment 

Pediatric dosage

• 6 mg/m²/day Intravenous every 1-2 weeks into 3-4 weeks 
• Not to exceed 12.5 mg/m²/week

Testicular Cancer

Adult dosage

• 6 mg/m²/day for 2 days every 3-4 weeks; part of the combination treatment  

Bladder Cancer

Adult dosage

• 3 mg/m² every 7 days into 3 out of 4 weeks; part of combination treatment  

Histiocytosis

Pediatric dosage

• 0.4 mg/kg Intravenous every 7-10 days

Germ Cell Tumor

Pediatric dosage

• 3 mg/m² Intravenous at a frequency not to exceed every week 

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Vinblastine has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs
• Vinblastine has serious interactions with at least 33 other drugs.
• Vinblastine has moderate interactions with at least 102 other drugs.
• Vinblastine has minor interactions with at least 58 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Intrathecal (IT) administration
• Active bacterial infection
• Myelosuppression

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Vinblastine?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Vinblastine?”

Cautions

• Bone marrow depression, neuropathy, and neuromuscular disease may occur
• Caution when administering neurotoxic agents, ototoxic agents concomitantly
• Caution in pulmonary disease, liver impairment, intestinal obstruction, paralytic ileus
• Potential for jaw/parotid pain, hoarseness & dysphagia due to cranial neuropathy
• Vesicant
• Previous radiation treatment or chemotherapy
• Avoid pregnancy
• Preparation in IV infusion bag only
• On January 15, 2021, FDA alerted that vinca alkaloids should be prepared in IV infusion bags only
• Intrathecal (IT) administration will result in severe neurological injury and/or death
• Label update is to reduce the potential for unintended IT administration

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug is available during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Not known if excreted in breast milk, do not nurse