Vinblastine



LemblastineŽ







Vinblastine

(vin BLAS teen)

Mexican Brand Names
LemblastineŽ
Pharmacologic Category
Antineoplastic Agent, Natural Source (Plant) Derivative; Antineoplastic Agent, Vinca Alkaloid
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to vinblastine or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat a variety of cancers.
  • This medicine may be used for some non-cancerous conditions.
How does it work?
  • Vinblastine injures cancer cells causing their death.
How is it best taken?
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Call healthcare provider for appointment.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
  • You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
  • You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear. Continue to protect yourself against sunburn for at least 5 days after therapy.
  • Be careful about taking vaccinations while you are receiving this medicine.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
  • If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust.
  • Breast-feeding is not recommended.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Not hungry.
  • Mouth and lip irritation. Frequent mouth care with a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing mouth may help.
  • Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
  • Infertility.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Side effects. Some side effects may occur up to 2 weeks after the shot. Report them to healthcare provider.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.
  • Numbness or tingling of hands or feet.
  • Unable to pass urine.
  • Significant weight loss.
  • Severe constipation.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Jaw pain.
  • Severe headache.
  • Seizures.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: