Vinorelbine is an antineoplastic medication. Vinorelbine interferes with the growth of cancer
cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Vinorelbine is used to treat lung cancer.
Vinorelbine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vinorelbine?
Do not use vinorelbine without first talking to your doctor if you have
liver disease;
lung problems;
nerve problems;
any type of infection; or
blood or bone marrow problems.
The use of vinorelbine may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions
listed above.
Vinorelbine is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that vinorelbine is known to
be harmful to an unborn baby.
Do not
use vinorelbine without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Contraceptive measures are
recommended during treatment with vinorelbine.
It is not know whether vinorelbine passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding should be
avoided during treatment with vinorelbine.
How should I take vinorelbine?
Vinorelbine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider
experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with vinorelbine
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.
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 probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical
evaluations during treatment with vinorelbine to monitor progress and side effects.
Your healthcare provider will store vinorelbine as directed by the manufacturer. If you are
storing vinorelbine at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.
What happens if I miss a dose of vinorelbine?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of vinorelbine.
Where can I get more information about vinorelbine?
Your pharmacist has information about vinorelbine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of vinorelbine?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects from vinorelbine, 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 fever, chills, or
signs of infection);
redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site;
abdominal pain or constipation;
shortness of breath or cough;
numbness, tingling, or weakness; or
chest pain.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking
vinorelbine and talk to your doctor if you experience:
hair loss;
fatigue or tiredness;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite; or
soreness or inflammation or the mouth or sores on the lips
or inside the mouth.
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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about vinorelbine?
Vinorelbine 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 vinorelbine 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; or fever, chills, or signs of infection); lung problems (shortness of breath, cough); severe
constipation or abdominal pain; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from
treatment with vinorelbine.
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.
What should I avoid while taking vinorelbine?
Vinorelbine 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
vinorelbine. 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.
What other drugs will affect vinorelbine?
Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with vinorelbine. Administration of a live
vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with vinorelbine.
Many other drugs may also interact vinorelbine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before
taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment
with vinorelbine.
What happens if I have an overdose of vinorelbine?
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.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
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warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
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given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009