Type of medicine: vinca alkaloid; anticancer
Generic and brand names: vinblastine, injection
This medicine is given by injection (shot) or IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat various types of cancer. You may also be given other anticancer drugs.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of infection such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fever, chills, or mouth sores before or after starting this medicine.
This medicine may make you sterile (unable to have children) whether you are a man or a woman. If you plan to have children someday, talk with your healthcare provider before you start treatment.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.
These infusions are given only by healthcare providers experienced with this drug. Your dose depends what the medicine is being used for, your weight or size, and whether or not other medicines are also being taken. Keep all your appointments for your treatments.
This medicine can be very harmful it if comes into contact with your skin or eyes. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any pain, redness, or swelling at the place of injection.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
This medicine may cause constipation. Drink plenty of fluids while you are receiving this medicine. Your healthcare provider can prescribe a stool softener to help prevent constipation.
Hair loss is common during treatment with this medicine. The hair will grow back when treatment is reduced or stopped.
This medicine may make your mouth sore. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or are severe.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Sore throat, fever, chills, unusual bruising or bleeding, bloody urine or stools, yellowing or the skin or eyes, severe dizziness, loss of balance or trouble hearing, trouble walking; mouth or lip sores, severe or continued nausea or vomiting, severe constipation or stomach pain; severe jaw or bone pain, numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes; vision problems; trouble urinating; pain, redness, or swelling around the injection site; seizures.
Other: Loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, headache, tiredness, weakness, loss of hair.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
